In today’s age of technology, knowing one or more programming languages is indispensable. Javascript is one of the most popular and widely used programming languages in the world, and becoming a certified Javascript developer can bring many career opportunities. Continue reading to learn the basics of Javascript, what skills are necessary to become certified, and how to prepare for the certification test.
What is Javascript?
Javascript is a cross-platform scripting language that enables the creation of dynamic websites and applications. It allows developers to add interactive features and animations to webpages, create interactive games for websites, and more. According to a 2019 survey by StackOverflow, Javascript is the most popular programming language among developers in the world.
Javascript is a versatile language that can be used to create a wide range of applications, from simple webpages to complex web applications. It is also used to create mobile applications, desktop applications, and even server-side applications. Additionally, Javascript is used to create interactive websites, such as those with interactive forms, dynamic content, and more.
What are the Benefits of Becoming a Certified Javascript Developer?
Becoming a certified Javascript developer allows developers to demonstrate their knowledge of the language to employers. This certification can give them an edge in their job search and help them secure new opportunities in the industry. Comprehensive understanding of the language also allows developers to make better use of the many powerful tools and frameworks available for Javascript development. Additionally, knowledge of Javascript makes it easy for developers to move into new fields, such as mobile application development.
Having a certification in Javascript also allows developers to stay up to date with the latest trends and technologies in the industry. This can help them stay ahead of the competition and ensure that their skills remain relevant. Furthermore, having a certification can also help developers to build a network of contacts in the industry, which can be invaluable for finding new job opportunities.
What Skills are Necessary for a Certified Javascript Developer?
To become certified as a Javascript developer, it is important to have a comprehensive understanding of the language’s syntax and structure. Developers must be comfortable working with variables, operators and expressions, and be able to write functions and control the flow of execution. Additionally, they should have a good understanding of objects and classes, the Document Object Model (DOM), and how to debug and troubleshoot issues. They should also be familiar with advanced topics such as asynchronous programming and ES6.
In addition to the technical skills, certified Javascript developers should also have strong problem-solving and communication skills. They should be able to work independently and collaboratively, and be able to effectively communicate their ideas and solutions to other developers. They should also be able to work with other technologies, such as HTML, CSS, and SQL, in order to create dynamic web applications.
An Overview of Javascript Syntax and Structure
Javascript follows a simple syntax structure, which allows developers to quickly understand and write code. It employs curly braces for scope, semicolons for line termination, parentheses for argument grouping and line breaks for multi-line statements. Additionally, it uses the dot operator (‘.’) for accessor methods and string literals for text strings.
Javascript also supports the use of variables, which are used to store data and can be referenced throughout the code. Variables can be declared using the ‘var’ keyword, and can be assigned a value using the assignment operator (‘=’). Javascript also supports the use of functions, which are blocks of code that can be called upon to perform a specific task. Functions are declared using the ‘function’ keyword, and can be passed arguments to modify their behavior.
Working with Variables, Operators, and Expressions in Javascript
Javascript uses data types such as numbers, strings, booleans, functions, objects and arrays. These can be assigned to variables using the ‘var’ keyword, followed by an ‘=’ sign and a value. Operators such as ‘+’, ‘-‘, ‘/’ and ‘*’ can be used for basic arithmetic operations, while logical operators such as ‘&&’, ‘||’, ‘!=’ and ‘===’ can be used for comparison operations. Expressions are combinations of literals, variables and operators that can be evaluated to produce a single value.
Expressions can be used to create complex calculations, such as calculating the area of a circle or the total cost of a purchase. They can also be used to control the flow of a program, by using conditional statements such as ‘if’ and ‘else’. By combining variables, operators and expressions, Javascript can be used to create powerful and dynamic programs.
Functions and Control Flow in Javascript
Functions are reusable blocks of code that can be called upon to execute specific tasks. They are defined using the ‘function’ keyword followed by a name and zero or more parameters within parentheses. Javascript also supports ‘if-elseif-else’ and ‘switch-case’ conditional statements that allow developers to control which code block is executed based on certain conditions. Loops such as ‘for’, ‘while’, and ‘do-while’ allow code to be executed multiple times until a certain condition is met.
In addition to these control flow structures, Javascript also supports the ‘try-catch’ statement which allows developers to handle errors that may occur during the execution of a program. This statement allows developers to specify a block of code to be executed if an error occurs, allowing for more robust and reliable programs.
Understanding Objects and Classes in Javascript
Objects are collections of data that can be used to represent real world entities such as people, animals or even daily activities. Classes are templates for objects, and developers can use them to create objects with similar properties and attributes. Additionally, in ES6, Javascript supports class inheritance, which enables developers to extend base classes with additional features. This concept is especially useful when creating hierarchies of objects.
Class inheritance also allows developers to reuse code, which can help to reduce development time and improve the overall efficiency of the application. Furthermore, class inheritance can be used to create abstract classes, which are classes that are not meant to be instantiated, but instead are used to provide a common interface for other classes. This is a powerful tool for developers, as it allows them to create complex object hierarchies with minimal effort.
How to Use the Document Object Model (DOM) in Javascript
The DOM (Document Object Model) is a programming interface that developers can use to access webpages through javascript. This allows developers to gain access to specific HTML elements and modify their properties without making direct changes to the source code. Additionally, DOM nodes can be added and removed from the document tree based on user interactions or other events.
Debugging and Troubleshooting with Javascript
Debugging is an essential skill for any Javascript developer. Debugging techniques such as logging messages to the console or using error breakpoints allow developers to pinpoint errors in their code more accurately. Additionally, developers should be familiar with tools such as Chrome Developer Tools that enable them to debug websites directly from their web browser.
Advanced Topics in Javascript Development
Javascript supports a wide range of advanced topics such as OOP (Object-Oriented Programming), asynchronous programming, event handling, closures, prototypes and more. Developers should have a thorough understanding of these topics before attempting to become certified.
Preparing for Certification as a JavaScript Developer
Getting certified as a Javascript developer requires comprehensive knowledge of the language’s syntax and structure, as well as advanced concepts such as asynchronous programming and OOP. Additionally, aspirants should have sufficient experience in creating interactive websites or applications. Various online courses can help prepare aspiring developers for the certification test.