What is JavaScript & jQuery?

JavaScript is a programming language that allows individuals to make web pages interactive and control media, and jQuery is a JavaScript library that helps individuals use JavaScript to simplify web tasks. All code written in jQuery is converted to JavaScript internally. jQuery is one of the longest-running JavaScript libraries, and 98% of websites use JavaScript as a client-side programming language. In this section, you’ll learn more about JavaScript and jQuery and how to understand them. Once an individual understands jQuery and JavaScript, they can decide how to add these skills to their professional toolbox.

What Can You Do with JavaScript & jQuery?

Individuals can use JavaScript and jQuery for many purposes. JavaScript is used on the client side and the server side. It allows individuals to make web pages interactive and is mainly for web applications and web browsers. JavaScript is used for showing or hiding information with a button, changing the color of a button, zooming in or out, playing audio and video, displaying animations, or using a drop-down hamburger menu. It is also used to create browser games and web and mobile apps.

jQuery is not a programming language but a tool to facilitate web development in JavaScript. Individuals can even use any JavaScript editor to write jQuery, such as Notepad, Visual Studio, Eclipse, or Ultra edit. jQuery can be used to develop Ajax-based applications, to make code simple and reusable, to simplify the traversal of HTML DOM tree, and to perform animation and ajax support in web applications. jQuery also helps individuals to make flash-like animated applications. Using jQuery, individuals only need to know JavaScript and HTML to create animations. Web designers can use many impressive effects to make their designs more elegant. 

How Do You Download/Get JavaScript & jQuery? How Much Does it Cost?

When using JavaScript, there are just a few simple steps individuals need to take. Programmers can utilize JavaScript in a web browser, so it doesn’t need to be downloaded and installed. If a browser supports JavaScript, it will be built into the browser and turned on by default. This automaticity means that individuals won’t need to change their browser settings unless they don’t want to run JavaScript. Many JavaScript downloads are free, so there is no need to pay for scripts written in JavaScript. It is essential to obtain JavaScript from sites that offer it for free and not just copy scripts from any place. 

There is a step-by-step process to download jQuery and more than one way to start using it. Individuals can download the jQuery library from jQuery.com or include jQuery from a CDN, such as Google. The two versions available for download are the production version, which is for live websites, and the development version, which is for testing and development. Individuals can download both versions from jQuery.com Jquery is free to use and promotes simplicity. 

What Are the Benefits of Learning JavaScript & jQuery?

Reasons abound as to why you should learn JavaScript and jQuery. Programmers should learn several languages, as there is no such thing as knowing too many languages. One of the most commonly used languages is JavaScript. JavaScript is a great language to learn, as it is growing exponentially. 

JavaScript was first created in 1995 and is a programming language that allows individuals to make complex things on websites. It is perfect for those just starting with programming and will enable individuals to expand their skill set. Through JavaScript, individuals can create visual effects and other aesthetically pleasing features. It is a valuable tool for game designers and can increase one's career potential. 

jQuery is used to build interactivity in websites and allows Developers to use code snippets to do traversal on the page or make changes to different elements using JavaScript. One of the most basic uses for jQuery is adding functionality to a website's button. It provides all the tools needed to simplify this process. Those working at a small business with legacy code will likely use jQuery. It helps individuals to understand the foundational level of what JavaScript is doing on a page. 

Read more about why you should learn JavaScript and jQuery.

JavaScript & jQuery Careers

Many job opportunities are open to individuals who know JavaScript and jQuery. Industries of all types use these tools to design dynamic web pages. Huge companies like Microsoft, LinkedIn, PayPal, Google, NASA, and Facebook all use JavaScript in some way. Companies using jQuery include Wells Fargo, Fidelity Investments, Bank of America, UnitedHealth Group, Boeing, and Conn’s HomePlus.

Expertly using JavaScript and jQuery opens up such jobs; however, Different companies, even different roles within a company, utilize JavaScript and jQuery in a myriad of ways. For example, Front End Web Developers may use JavaScript to power a website’s interactivity. By using JavaScript, individuals can build rich UI components and give websites additional functionality that isn’t possible with HTML and CSS alone. Web Developers use JavaScript to create interactive web elements like menus, forms, and games. Mobile App Developers use it to develop an app’s user interface. Developers also use jQuery. It is the go-to library for most developers because of its ease of use and stability. Specifically, Web Developers use it to make it easier to use JavaScript on their websites. 

The outlook for the overall employment of these positions is only predicted to grow. The continued use of the internet and mobile devices will continue to generate demand for web-related positions. 

How to Learn JavaScript & jQuery

If you’re ready to learn JavaScript, consider all ways of learning the information. Individuals may want to take in-person, live online, on-demand, or asynchronous/self-paced classes. 

Those who enjoy interacting with instructors in real time may want to sign up for JavaScript courses, available as in-person classes or live online class options. Noble Desktop offers live online and in-person JavaScript classes and bootcamps in NYC. Though online classes provide the most flexibility and options, some individuals may prefer in-person classes. Noble Desktop offers Front End or Full Stack JavaScript programming classes through which individuals learn to program web apps. Individuals learn JavaScript with React and back end JavaScript development. With live online classes, individuals can avoid traffic and train from the comfort of their own homes or offices. Those who enjoy training in a classroom may enroll in face-to-face classes. 

Not everyone can participate in live online or in-person classes, so some learners may wish to explore self-paced or asynchronous JavaScript classes. With self-paced classes, there is no set schedule, so individuals have more freedom regarding when they complete coursework. This freedom makes learning JavaScript possible for even the busiest people. Although individuals must be able to decide what time they will learn and how much they will complete in a set amount of time, it involves less pressure and ensures they can learn at times when they’re going to perform the best. With self-paced learning, individuals can access their course 24/7, regardless of where they live. They can learn without the help of a live instructor and work however fast or slow they wish. 

Noble also offers free seminars on JavaScript. Individuals can utilize tutorials, guides, blog posts, and YouTube videos. Noble’s YouTube Channel includes a Web Design and Development Playlist, including videos on front end development, React, and Node.js. Noble also offers free seminars on web development. Individuals can view seminars such as Intro to React, Intro to Node.js, and Intro to Front End Web Development. 

Read the complete guide on how to learn JavaScript. 

A Brief History of JavaScript & jQuery

Although JavaScript and jQuery have been around for several years, JavaScript was invented before jQuery. JavaScript was invented in 1995 by a man named Brendan Eich. When Eich first created the web, web pages had no capability for dynamic behavior and interactivity. This static and inconvenient design spurred the web development community to eliminate this restriction. 

Once it was released, more browsers began adding JavaScript support, but many failed to consider JavaScript as a serious programming language for years. When it was first released, riddled with performance and security issues, no alternative existed. Years later, Ryan Dahl released Node.js. Node.js allowed JavaScript code to run outside a browser and freed up the language to run more smoothly. This development ultimately led to JavaScript’s popularity. 

jQuery was designed in 2006 by John Resig. John created the first jQuery version in 2005 and publicized it in 2006. The release occurred at a tech event called BarCampNYC. jQuery was developed by John Resig out of frustration and a desire to solve problems with writing cross-browser code. Because of the lack of standardization, developers had to worry about different browser behaviors, which made their work inefficient. jQuery fixed this problem and revolutionized how the world read and wrote JavaScript. Resig focused on developing tools to manipulate HTML in one DOM, which became jQuery.

Comparable Applications/Programming Languages/Fields

Most Web Developers are very familiar with JavaScript and may wonder if there are any alternatives to JavaScript. There are many, specifically for regular scripts or programs. Some popular programming languages that can replace JavaScript include Python, C, C++, Perl, Smalltalk, and Ruby. 

The alternative a Web Developer chooses depends on their purpose. Those working in back end development may choose Python, Ruby, Kotlin, or PHP. For front end development, Dart is an object-oriented programming language similar to C. For mobile development, individuals may use React Native– also an open-source framework– when creating native apps to go cross-platform. Python is one of the most popular JavaScript alternatives, but it cannot help with front end development. 

There are also alternatives to jQuery. React is the best alternative to jQuery because it fills most developer requirements. Vue is another alternative and a JavaScript framework for creating user interfaces for web apps. Umbrella JS is another option that allows individuals to use native JavaScript methods. 

Learn JavaScript with Hands-on Training at Noble Desktop

Individuals can learn JavaScript with hands-on training from Noble Desktop. Many of their classes provide high-level JavaScript skills. With expert instructors, small classes, and free retake options, Noble’s courses provide the JavaScript instruction necessary to advance in a new career. 

Noble’s JavaScript Development Certificate is the perfect course for anyone who knows HTML/CSS and wants to become a JavaScript Developer. Individuals learn to build web apps with JavaScript and gain the necessary skills to find a career in application development. The course covers building dynamic web applications with React and Node.js, creating APIs with Express.js, and working with databases with MongoDB. 

Another course is their Full Stack Web Development Certificate, which focuses on JavaScript and teaches individuals to work on all aspects of a web application. The program covers HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and Git, starting with front end web development and continuing with back-end programming. Other JavaScript classes and bootcamps include Software Engineering Certificate and Front End Web Development Certificate. 

Key Insights

• JavaScript is a programming language that allows individuals to make web pages interactive. At the same time, jQuery is a JavaScript library that helps individuals use JavaScript to simplify web tasks. 
• JavaScript doesn’t need to be downloaded and installed; individuals can use it directly in their web browsers. 
• Individuals can download jQuery from jQuery.com
• The two versions of jQuery available for download are the production and development versions. 
• JavaScript was invented before jQuery in 1995. jQuery was released in 2005 and publicized in 2006. 
• Programming languages comparable to JavaScript include Python, C, C++, Perl, Smalltalk, and Ruby.
• The best alternative to jQuery is React. 
• You can receive comprehensive JavaScript and jQuery training through in-person or live online courses with Noble Desktop.