Getting Started with JavaScript

Getting Started with JavaScript

How I Started

JavaScript felt overwhelming at first. Unlike HTML and CSS, it introduced loops, functions, and complex logic. I was excited to learn it, and soon I was also diving into PHP and Python. However, I realized that knowing the syntax alone wasn’t enough—I couldn’t build real projects.

The biggest mistake I made? Trying to learn everything at once without truly understanding how JavaScript works. JavaScript is different from backend languages like PHP and Python. It runs in the browser and is mostly used for client-side interactivity. Today, with so many JavaScript frameworks available, it's tempting to jump straight into them. But can you write a sentence without learning the alphabet?

The same applies to JavaScript. You need to understand its fundamentals before moving to frameworks. Let’s break down the roadmap for learning JavaScript in a way that will help you transition smoothly into frameworks.



JavaScript Roadmap: From Basics to Intermediate

Before diving into frameworks like React or Vue, you should have a solid understanding of core JavaScript concepts. Here’s a roadmap to follow:

1. JavaScript Basics (Syntax & Fundamentals)

  • Understanding variables (var, let, const)
  • JavaScript data types (string, number, boolean, array, object)
  • Operators (+, -, *, /, ++, --, +=, -=, ==, ===, etc.)
  • Understanding loops (for, while, do-while)
  • Using conditional statements (if-else, switch-case)
  • Functions (function declaration, arrow functions, callback functions)

2. Working with the DOM (Document Object Model)

  • Selecting elements (getElementById, querySelector, etc.)
  • Modifying elements (innerHTML, textContent, classList, setAttribute)
  • Adding and removing elements dynamically
  • Handling events (click, mouseover, keydown, etc.)

3. JavaScript ES6+ Features (Modern JavaScript)

  • Template literals (`Hello, ${name}!`)
  • Destructuring (const { name, age } = person)
  • Spread/rest operators (...arr, ...obj)
  • Arrow functions (const greet = () => console.log("Hello"))
  • Promises & Async/Await (Handling asynchronous operations)

4. Working with APIs (Fetching Data)

  • Using fetch() to get data from APIs
  • Handling JSON data (JSON.parse(), JSON.stringify())
  • Error handling with .catch()

5. Structuring Your JavaScript Code

  • Using modules (import/export)
  • Writing reusable functions
  • Organizing JavaScript files in projects

Once you're comfortable with these concepts, then you can move to frameworks like React, Vue, or Next.js.



Best Practices for Writing JavaScript

Here are some key practices to follow when writing JavaScript:

  • Use const and let instead of var (avoid variable hoisting issues)
  • Keep your functions short and reusable
  • Use meaningful variable and function names
  • Avoid global variables (they can cause unexpected behavior)
  • Use strict mode ("use strict";) to catch errors early
  • Comment your code where necessary



How I Organize JavaScript in Projects

When working on static projects, I organize my JavaScript like this:

Folder Structure

/static  
  ├── /js  
  │   ├── app.js  
  ├── /css  
  │   ├── style.css  
  ├── index.html
  • All JavaScript files go inside a /js folder.
  • I use a main app.js file for writing functions.
  • I link the app.js file in index.html, so it doesn’t throw errors when used across multiple pages.

How I Include JavaScript in HTML

When linking JavaScript in an HTML file, I follow this order:

  1. CDN (if using any external libraries, like jQuery)
  2. External JavaScript file (app.js)
  3. Internal JavaScript (inside <script> tags)
  4. Initialization of functions

Example:

<!DOCTYPE html>
<html lang="en">
<head>
  <title>My Website</title>
</head>
<body>
  <h1>Welcome to My Website</h1>

  <!-- 1. CDN -->
  <script src="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/npm/axios/dist/axios.min.js"></script>
  <!-- 2. External JS file -->
  <script src="static/js/app.js"></script>
  <!-- 3. Internal JS -->
  <!-- 4. Initializing a function from app.js -->
  <script>
    console.log("This is internal JavaScript");
    
    init();
  </script>
</body>
</html>



Conclusion

JavaScript can feel overwhelming at first, but by focusing on the basics first, you will have a much easier time understanding frameworks later. Learn variables, loops, DOM manipulation, and ES6+ features before jumping into advanced topics.

Once you’re comfortable, you can start exploring frameworks like React, Vue, or Next.js. But remember—frameworks are just tools; JavaScript is the foundation.

Rahul Yadav

Rahul Yadav

Fullstack Developer