How Long Does it Take to Learn JavaScript?

Before learning a new skill, it’s always wise to assess the amount of time you need to dedicate to the task. If you’re ready to start learning JavaScript, you should anticipate spending between six months and a year to reach basic proficiency. That said, the more time you can dedicate to learning and practicing JavaScript, the more quickly you’ll be able to apply your programming skills to personal and professional projects. In this post, learn more about how long it takes to learn JavaScript, including some factors that influence the length of your learning journey.

What is JavaScript?

JavaScript is a programming language that was created in 1995 by Brendan Eich. The language was originally intended to be a straightforward scripting language that could speed up input validation on websites. In recent years, JavaScript has exploded in popularity and is used for much, much more. This programming language is most commonly used for web, application, and browser-based game development. It is a foundational skill for anyone who wants to pursue a career in one of those fields.

In particular, JavaScript helps Developers add interactive components to the website, application, or game they’re working on. Part of what makes this language so popular is that it can be used on any browser. JavaScript is also free to use, making it widely accessible to anyone who wants to learn it. Similarly, the many libraries and frameworks that help make JavaScript so versatile, including React, Node.js, and Express, are also open-source.

Read more about what JavaScript is and why you should learn it.

What Can You Do with JavaScript?

Imagine visiting a website but being unable to interact with anything. Nothing moves or changes color when you hover over it, and as you scroll through the page, everything is just a static image or text. Sounds pretty boring, doesn't it?

Now, think about a website you’ve recently visited. It’s likely that as you scrolled through the page, graphics popped into view with a flourish. You may have noticed an image carousel that automatically shifted from photo to photo, or a button that changed color when you hovered over it. When you wanted to navigate to another page on the website, you clicked a hamburger menu that exposed clickable links to these pages.

All of this is made possible with JavaScript, which adds interactive elements to websites that would otherwise be entirely static. While HTML and CSS, two languages fundamental to web design, are static by design, JavaScript makes websites more responsive and engaging to viewers. This helps ensure visitors spend as much time interacting with a website’s various components as possible.

In addition to web development, individuals also use JavaScript to build mobile and web applications. In fact, popular social media sites rely upon JavaScript and its associated frameworks, like React, to build the user interfaces of their applications. Likewise, Developers use JavaScript to build browser-based games (Bejeweled, anyone?), making this language both a highly useful and enjoyable one to learn.

Average Time it Takes to Learn JavaScript

Many experts indicate that it takes six months to a year to become fully proficient in using JavaScript. This includes gaining thorough familiarity with the language’s basic syntax and being able to apply it to real-world scenarios. Likewise, being experienced with JavaScript involves “knowing what you don’t know” and having the skills to research for the information you need.

Of course, if you’re coming to the table with previous programming experience or are particularly diligent about practicing with the language every day, you’ll likely be able to learn the basics of JavaScript in less than six months. In fact, it’s possible to learn the ins and outs of JavaScript syntax within just a few weeks or months if you are already comfortable coding.

That said, you’ll unlikely learn everything you need to apply the language to a diverse range of projects in that timeframe. That’s because this programming language has some quirks and is not always the most intuitive. Individuals trying to learn JavaScript from scratch (without any previous coding experience) are best served by trying to follow a structured curriculum, such as that offered in online or in-person courses.

Other Factors

While the average length of time it takes to learn JavaScript ranges from six months to a year, there are a few other things (aside from having previous coding experience) that can lengthen or shorten this estimate. As you review this list, consider the points that do or don’t apply to your situation to help refine your unique time estimate.

How Much Time You Have to Dedicate to Learning

It’s no secret that the more time you dedicate to learning, the quicker you’ll be able to pick up the skills needed to code with JavaScript fluently. Individuals who can dedicate several hours each day to practicing using this programming language will almost certainly learn JavaScript faster than those who are more sporadic in their approach.

This is particularly true if you have the time to enroll in a structured course. That’s because courses provide a set curriculum that gradually builds upon your skills over time. When you enroll in a course, you start from the basics and work your way up, constantly adding new skills. Additionally, structured courses provide access to instructors who can provide feedback and support when you get stuck.

Why You’re Learning JavaScript

Your ultimate goals for learning JavaScript also determine how long it will take to learn the programming language. If you are excited to learn JavaScript as a hobby or so you can take on personal projects, you won’t need to have as extensive knowledge about the language as you would if you were trying to begin a new career.

On the other hand, individuals who are trying to learn JavaScript to start a new career or advance in their current field will need to be more well-versed in the programming language. This includes understanding best practices for coding and writing “clean” code that individuals throughout an organization can understand. Likewise, individuals trying to learn JavaScript for a career must learn how to apply and manipulate code for highly-specific situations according to customer or client needs. This naturally requires a broader range of skills and breadth of knowledge than someone who simply wants to add some interactivity to a personal website.

Whether You Plan to Use Libraries and Frameworks

Another factor influencing how long it takes to learn JavaScript is whether you plan to use its libraries and frameworks. Individuals who are pursuing roles that rely heavily on JavaScript will likely need to use popular frameworks and libraries at some point, such as jQuery, Express.js, and React.js.

To gain a basic familiarity with these tools, expect to add at least a month or two to your JavaScript learning timeline. This will enable you to learn the basics ins and outs of the relevant framework or library and begin to apply it to real-world projects. Of course, becoming familiar enough to apply these tools to professional settings may take longer.

Level of Difficulty, Prerequisites, & Cost

If you’ve never used a programming language before, you may be intimidated by the idea of learning how to code with JavaScript.Like all programming languages, learning JavaScript requires dedication and focus to learn. That said, anyone who takes the time to gain a foundational understanding of this language can do so. The length of time it will take you to become proficient in JavaScript varies depending on how much time you’re able to spend on learning each week. Still, in general, you should plan to dedicate about six to twelve months to learning this code and its applications.

Before learning JavaScript, you should know how to code with HTML and CSS. Without knowledge of these languages, you will have a difficult time understanding exactly how JavaScript works to manipulate code and add engagement to websites. Additionally, you should have a clear understanding of where you’re planning to apply your JavaScript skills. That’s because you’ll need to learn slightly different tools and skills if you plan to use this language primarily for web development as opposed to application development or game development. Taking the time to get clear on these requirements before you begin your learning journey can help ensure you pick up the necessary skills as efficiently as possible.

Fortunately, JavaScript is open-source, meaning it’s readily accessible from the internet and entirely free to use. All you need to start coding with JavaScript is a text editor or integrated development environment (IDE) that enables you to write code, then apply it to your intended use. Likewise, many of JavaScript’s libraries and frameworks are free, meaning you can readily expand your application of this language to different tasks without incurring additional costs.

Read more about how difficult it is to learn JavaScript.

Watch a Free JavaScript Online Course

Not ready to dive into an entire course? Completing a free introductory course or tutorial is a low-stakes option for individuals who aren’t positive they want to commit to a structured class. You can start learning about JavaScript with Noble’s free Intro to JavaScript seminar, which provides an overview of JavaScript and popular JavaScript libraries, the MERN stack (MongoDB, Express, React, and Node.js), and client-side versus server-side JavaScript. You might also consider exploring other popular online resources, like freeCodeCamp, Code Academy, and The Odin Project.

Additionally, YouTube offers a bounty of introductory videos about JavaScript and related skills. This can be a great way to learn more about the different career options available to those who know how to code with JavaScript. Similarly, reading articles and blog posts about the field can help you stay up-to-date with trends without a considerable time commitment. When taking this approach, the main thing to consider is to look for the most recently uploaded or posted content — this helps ensure you’re learning the most up-to-date information about JavaScript.

Of course, learning JavaScript through free intro courses and tutorials is best for individuals who enjoy learning through self-study. It’s a convenient way to pick up some new skills without a huge time or monetary commitment. However, this method of learning isn’t for everyone, and some may prefer a more structured approach, such as that provided by an online course.

Read about more free JavaScript videos and online tutorials.

Learn JavaScript with Hands-on Training at Noble Desktop

Noble Desktop offers hands-on JavaScript training opportunities that meet the needs of various learning styles and scheduling considerations. Each of its courses features small class sizes so that you can receive individualized support from Noble’s expert instructors. This is the case whether you attend a class live online or in person at the school’s Manhattan campus. Noble Desktop also provides a free retake option for anyone who wants to complete the course again within one year of completion.

Its JavaScript Programming Bootcamp provides students with a foundation in using JavaScript. In particular, this course teaches about object-oriented programming, variables, functions, and data types, among many other topics. By the end of the class, students will know how to build web applications using JavaScript and be familiar with its libraries and frameworks. Before enrolling in this class, you should be comfortable coding with HTML and CSS.

Noble’s JavaScript Development Certificate takes JavaScript learning a bit further. In this course, students practice building web applications with JavaScript and learn how to use React, Node.js, Express.js, and MongoDB to expand the versatility of this programming language. Additionally, students have the chance to apply their learning to specific projects and build up a portfolio that can be used when applying to jobs in the field.

You may also consider Noble’s Front End Web Development Certificate. This course teaches JavaScript in addition to HTML, CSS, and WordPress while providing experiential learning opportunities. Certificates at Noble Desktop also offer students individual career mentoring sessions to help them polish their resumes and portfolios, and give them tips on how to stand out in a competitive job market.

Key Insights

• JavaScript is crucial for web and application development because it enables individuals to add interactivity and dynamism to what might otherwise be static products.
• You should anticipate spending between six and twelve months of focused learning to become proficient with JavaScript.
• Individuals who have prior experience with coding may be able to learn and apply basic JavaScript syntax in just a few weeks or months.
• Other factors that can impact the length of your learning timeline include:
• Whether you are committed to regularly practicing JavaScript each day
• Whether you are learning JavaScript for personal or professional reasons
• Whether you plan to learn JavaScript libraries and frameworks at the same time
• A structured course makes it easier and faster for you to learn JavaScript since you follow a set curriculum, and instructors can provide support and feedback when you face roadblocks.