Wikipedia provides an excellent overview of the history of JavaScript. We'll cover some highlights from that article before a brief discussion of why Javascript is important today and where you can find training.
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The Move to Web 2.0
In the early 1990s, websites could only display static content. To address this issue, Netscape hired Brendon Eich to develop a new user-friendly language eventually called JavaScript.
When Microsoft entered the browser market, it developed a similar language called JScript. As Internet Explorer gained market share, JScript became more popular, but some sites still used the Netscape standard, leading to an environment where websites rendered differently based on the user's web browser. By the end of the 1990s, there was an international movement to standardize web-based client-side scripting under the name ECMAScript.
Standardization and Growth
After Mozilla rolled out Firefox in 2005 and Google introduced Chrome in 2008, standardization efforts picked up steam and by December 2009, a standard ECMAScript 5 was released.
Since then, adoption of the language has grown as additional libraries and frameworks have been created. Wikipedia states that up to 99% of all websites use JavaScript. JavaScript is now a key component of front-end web development. Node.js, created by Ryan Dahl, allows JavaScript to be used for backend operations.
Why Learn JavaScript?
After reviewing the history of JavaScript one might ask, what does this have to do with me? Why should I learn JavaScript?
As just mentioned, Javascript is now a fundamental part of the web. The language is still fairly easy to learn and there are many career opportunities for those that master it. There is also a vibrant community to support you on your learning journey.
Free Resources to Start Learning Javascript
Because of its ubiquity, there are many places where you can find free training. In addition to the free courses offered by major players such as Microsoft and Amazon, there are several options to get started.
On-Demand Learning
Each of the resources (W3Schools, Codecademy, freeCodeCamp, and Mozilla Developer Network) featured in our post on learning HTML and CSS also offer JavaScript training.
In addition, here are a few more self-paced resources to help you learn JavaScript:
JavaScript.com by Pluralsight
Geeks for Geeks: https://scrimba.com/learn/learnjavascript
Live Workshops and Training
If you prefer in-person, live interactive training, many coding bootcamps offer a free introductory Javascript course every four to six weeks.
Use these links to check out their schedules for upcoming classes:
Claim Academy offers a 1-hour course: JavaScript Jumpstart: Igniting Your Coding Journey https://claimacademystl.com/events/
General Assembly offers a 2-hour Hands-on Coding Basics: JavaScript class. https://generalassemb.ly/students/workshops-and-events?location=online&topic=coding
Codesmith offers a 6-part series including these classes: https://app.codesmith.io/coding-events?location=online&series=All+Series
Intro to Javascript: Functions and Objects
Intro to Javascript: Variables, Control Flow, and Looping
Intro to Javascript: Functions and Objects
JavaScript the Hard Parts: Closure, Scope, and Execution
JavaScript the Hard Parts: Callbacks and Higher Order Functions
Exploring Recursion in Javascript
These are just a few of the free resources available to help you begin your Javascript learning journey.
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