2020 !! What a year it has been so far, The year which made us miss and ache for our usual routine and put us away from our driver’s seat. Anyways let’s not dwell on it and hope that it will all get settled soon enough and we get back to our driver’s seat once again. The Time that we have now is true and priceless so let’s see through it, that we don’t waste it and use it to boost our skillset. So here goes something that might help you to add up to your skill set…

Many of us would have already learned or will be learning Java by now but JavaScript is another language used for some very specific use cases. Let’s see some of its fascinating purposes and what makes it a powerful, unique and yet an interesting language to learn in 2020.

A Peek Into The Language…

As the name says it, JavaScript is a Scripting language built to operate in a special run-time environment. What the language does is that it is used to Automate specific tasks that are complex to be done manually. It has many interesting and widely used libraries and frameworks which makes the language extra special. It is adapted by some reputed web giants like Google, Microsoft, Facebook, Netflix, etc… to create their seamless interfaces used by millions of people every day.

Over The Years…

It blows our mind when we see its growth over the years as it all started from making web pages dynamic in 1995 to revolutionizing rockets with modern touch screens which would reduce the astronaut workload by 80% compared to the manual work they usually do. In short, javascript has now reached up to space which is considered as its final frontier.

       

SpaceX Dragon using javascript in its human mission

Some of its common applications…

Some of its most common applications include Web and App development by using its libraries and frameworks like React, Angular, Express, etc for website development and libraries like react native are used in making Mobile and Smartwatch based applications. Here goes an easter egg for Gaming enthusiasts as it is also used to create browser based games. It also powers smart TVs and also plays a major part in creating interfaces for IOTs etc. JavaScript outside the internet is totally a topic for another blog.

Frameworks and libraries…

We as developers must find the right environment for developing large, modular, scalable, testable. and still UI rich and moreover very responsive applications, JavaScript provides a great platform to create such applications with its own special and powerful frameworks and libraries. Each JavaScript frameworks and libraries have their unique uses with their own set of features. Lets check out some of those Libraries and Frameworks.

React JS: It is a library built by Facebook for a soul purpose of its own functioning. It is frontend specific for web development purposes and top market leaders with millions of users like Netflix, Instagram, Amazon use this to create their user interactive websites.

Angular JS: it is a framework created by Google in the year 2012 to specifically create both web and mobile-based applications with dynamic page updates written in pure JavaScript. It is a full-fledged framework different from React JS as it is only a library.

React Native: This is another library powered by JavaScript used to build interfaces for both web based and as well as Mobile based applications. Even some of the top-rated Apps having high user traffic like Airbnb, Myntra, Discord use it to create their seamless UI’s that are interactive with their users.

Node JS: All the frameworks and libraries that we saw until now are only used in building the frontend of an application. But Node JS helps us in handling the backend of an application which is the main part as all the information and databases are manipulated this way. Even the space giant NASA uses this for the microservices it provides to move their enterprise to cloud. Other than that LinkedIn, PayPal, etc uses it to create user facing content.

The Learning Curve…

JavaScript has a very simple learning curve for starters and firmly gets complicated gradually once you go deep down, One must first master the fundamentals as it lays the foundation for everything after that… once they’ve mastered it then all the JS libraries and frameworks are just a piece of cake. If you are an aspiring developer then JavaScript is a gem to add in your skillset and just an extra thought this is the right time to learn it.

The Battle is Yet To Start…

The two most powerful warriors are

 patience and time…

As the quote utters it, you already have immense time in your hand so use it wisely and believe in the process as the process requires patience. As time ages fast you must master both of them within the time left. Having patience and time side by side alongside, You will be the one winning the battle even before it commences. As the battle is yet to start….

Written By : SARVESVARAN M S 19BCS116