Javascript has become one of the most widely used programming languages in the world. Whether you’re a software engineering student or a professional developer, having a solid grasp of Javascript is essential in today’s technology driven world. With the right knowledge, you can make your projects faster, more efficient, and more reliable. To help you take your knowledge to the next level, here is a guide to some the best Javascript books out there for 2021.
Benefits of Learning Javascript
If you want to become a professional web developer, it’s beneficial to learn Javascript. Javascript is a client-side scripting language that is used to create interactive elements on webpages. It helps create dynamic web pages that provide a better user experience. Knowing Javascript will help you gain a better understanding of web development and HTML/CSS, and you can create dynamic and complex websites that are easy to use and provide an overall better experience.
Javascript is also used for a number of other tasks such as gaming, mobile application development, back-end development, and more. As with any language or skill, once you understand the basics, there are countless ways to develop your skills. With Javascript, you can write code that is clean, efficient, and easy to read. This will help improve your overall coding ability and bring more success to your projects.
Top Rated Javascript Books
With the sheer number of Javascript books out there, it can be hard to know where to start. Luckily, we’ve done the research for you and found some of the best Javascript books for 2021. Here are our top picks:
- Eloquent JavaScript, by Marijn Haverbeke – This book is perfect for beginner and intermediate Javascript developers. It provides detailed explanations for each concept and provides plenty of examples. It also covers more advanced topics, such as prototypal inheritance.
- You Don’t Know JS, by Kyle Simpson – This books dives deep into different aspects of Javascript including closures and scope chain. It includes plenty of examples and focuses on breaking down even the most difficult concepts into easy-to-understand chunks.
- JavaScript: The Good Parts, by Douglas Crockford – This book focuses on teaching developers how to write clean, efficient code. It places special emphasis on showing the reader how to avoid common mistakes and pitfalls when using the language. A great choice for experienced JavaScript developers who want to refine their skill set.
- JavaScript Patterns, by Stoyan Stefanov – This book covers how best to structure code, how to create reliable objects, how to prototype efficiently, and more. If you want to be an expert in the language, this book is an essential read.
When to Use Different Types of Javascript
When working with Javascript, it’s important to know when to use different types of code. The language has many flavors, each with its own distinct purpose. The most common types include ES6 (or ES2015), React, VueJs, Typescript, Vanilla Javascript, Tree Shaking and Webpack.
ES6 is mainly used for writing native browser applications. React is a library that is used to create mobile and desktop applications. VueJs is very similar to React and can be used for mobile and web applications. Typescript is used to build large-scale applications with enterprise-level features. Vanilla Javascript is the pure form of the language that’s used to write regular web applications.
Tree Shaking is a feature of the language that helps reduce the size of code bundles. Webpack is a tool for automating complex tasks such as bundling files and improving performance. Knowing when to use each type of Javascript will help you write cleaner, more organized code and make your project more efficient.
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Learning Javascript
Javascript can be difficult for newcomers to learn. To help make this easier, let’s look at some common mistakes that newbie developers make when trying to learn the language. These mistakes can be easily avoided with some practice and knowledge.
- Not learning the fundamentals. Many newcomers to Javascript skip over the fundamentals such as variables, loops, functions, data types and so on. This often leads to frustration when they come across concepts they don’t understand.
- Not learning your browser’s debugging tools. Most web browsers come with debugging tools that make it easier to find bugs and errors in your code. Learning these tools will help you find mistakes quickly and save time in the long run.
- Not doing enough practice. Learning concepts and writing code are two different things. To become proficient in the language, practice often and build projects from scratch.
- Not taking the time to learn more advanced concepts. As you become more familiar with the language, don’t forget to expand your skills by learning more advanced concepts. This will help you write better-structured code and make your projects more reliable.
How to Learn Javascript Quickly and Effectively
The key to learning any language quickly and effectively is dedication and consistency. Make sure you take the time to properly study concepts and practice them often. Signing up for a course or tutorial can help you structure your learning and make sure you’re covering all the bases.
Write code from scratch whenever possible, as this is how you’ll internalize concepts best. Don’t just copy-paste code from blogs or tutorials; instead, take the time to understand each concept before writing a line of code. Make sure to test your code regularly using debugging tools so you can see where the code fails and where improvements can be made. Finally, take advantage of online resources such as forums or Stack Overflow so you can get help if you get stuck.
Examples of Real-World Projects Using Javascript
Javascript is used in countless real-world projects today. One popular example is Gmail – which uses Javascript extensively both on the server-side and client-side. Facebook’s NewsFeed also uses Javascript as well as React Native for mobile applications. Many popular sites such as YouTube or Reddit also rely heavily on Javascript.
Best Practices for Writing Clean and Efficient Javascript Code
When it comes to writing code in any language, it’s important to follow best practices for writing clean and efficient code. Writing sloppy code might seem like an okay thing at first, but it will lead to problems down the line as your project grows larger and more complex.
- Always use proper indentation. It will help you organize your code better and make it easier to read.
- Comment your code whenever possible. Commenting your code will help you remember why certain lines were written and what their purpose was at a later time.
- Name variables properly. Use descriptive variable names so other developers will be able to understand what they are easily.
- Break up large sections of code into smaller functions. This will make it easier for other developers (or even yourself) to understand what each section of code is doing.
- Avoid “magic numbers” as much as possible. These are numerical values that have no clear context or meaning when looked at out of context.
How to Debug Common JavaScript Errors
Debugging is an important skill for any developer, and it’s especially important when working with Javascript. To help make this process easier, first become familiar with browser debugging tools such as Chrome Developer Tools or Firefox Developer Tools. These tools can help you identify common errors like syntax errors or ones caused by incorrect logic.
Debugging tools will show you what line of code contains the error and allow you to examine variables or functions running in that particular section. You can also use console functions such as console.log() or console.error() to print out messages that will help you locate an issue or bug quickly.
Tips for Mastering Advanced JavaScript Concepts
Once you’re comfortable with the basics of Javascript, it’s time to move on to more advanced topics such as asynchronous programming or React Native. Asynchronous programming allows you to create non-blocking operations that run in the background while other operations are taking place. React Native is a framework which can be used for mobile application development.
To master these concepts, take the time to study them thoroughly. Make sure you understand how each concept works before moving on to another topic. Also, practice writing code from scratch – this will force you to think more deeply about how these concepts work together and strengthen your understanding of each concept. Finally, search for tutorials or open source projects related to these topics – this will help you get additional insight into how these concepts are used in real-world projects.