JavaScript Fundamentals

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JavaScript (or JS) is a fully-featured programming language. It is today one of the most popular languages used for the development of web applications, and also for a lot of different programs.

It's a great second language to learn, as it introduces many new language concepts not found in languages such as Ruby. It will also let you reinforce concepts you've already learned.

In this module, you'll learn the basics of Javascript by pairing through a series of exercises, either building on previous knowledge or discovering new concepts. You'll then build a more complex coding challenge using all of those new concepts.

Learning objectives

• Test-drive a simple Javascript program using Node.
• Explain how asynchronous programming is different from synchronous, blocking programming.
• Apply a coherent process to learn a new language.

Outline

Phase One

Work through these exercises designed to train the basics of JavaScript. If you already know JavaScript or you feel like a challenge, feel free to skip a few of these steps.

1. Running JavaScript
2. Running files
3. Variables and visibility
4. Functions
5. Conditionals
6. Loops
7. Functions as values
8. Callbacks
9. Arrays
10. Objects
11. Array operations
12. Classes

Phase Two

Work through challenges designed to help you learn how to use JavaScript in a real application, including unit tests, multiple classes, and external dependencies on packages and remote APIs.

1. Testing with Jest
2. A Search function
3. A Shopping basket
4. A Thermostat
5. A Pokédex
6. A Weather client
7. A Web server

Most people won't complete all of this and that is OK.

Solo challenge

Work on the Bowling Challenge in JavaScript

Practicals and other resources

• Learning a new language by translation
• Mocking with Jest
• Explore asynchronicity in JavaScript with callback functions
• What is a callback in JavaScript? (video)
• Manipulating functions
• Closures
• Stretch — build a web server with JavaScript
• Technical learning resources

Workshops

• Using Functions as Arguments
• Asynchronous JS and callbacks
• Following the flow and getting visibility in JavaScript

Additional resources

• The function keyword in JS
• JavaScript versions - ES6 and before
• What is a callback in JavaScript? (video)
• Build a simple web server with express

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