JavaScript
JavaScript (or "JS") is a programming language used most often for dynamic client-side scripts on webpages, but it is also often used on theserver-side, using a runtime such asNode.js,Deno, andBun.
JavaScriptshould not be confused with theJava programming language. Although"Java" and"JavaScript" are trademarks (or registered trademarks) of Oracle in the U.S. and other countries, the two programming languages are significantly different in their syntax, semantics, and use cases.
JavaScript is primarily used in the browser, enabling developers to manipulate webpage content through theDOM, retrieve content from servers using thefetch() API, store complex data usingIndexedDB, draw graphics withcanvas, interact with the device running the browser through variousAPIs, and more. JavaScript is one of the world's most commonly-used languages, owing to the recent growth and performance improvement ofAPIs available in browsers.
Origins and History
Conceived as a server-side language by Brendan Eich (then employed by the Netscape Corporation), JavaScript soon came to Netscape Navigator 2.0 in September 1995. JavaScript enjoyed immediate success andInternet Explorer 3.0 introduced JavaScript support under the name JScript in August 1996.
In November 1996, Netscape began working with Ecma International to make JavaScript an industry standard. Since then, the standardized JavaScript is called ECMAScript and specified under ECMA-262. The standard is constantly updated and implemented (aliving standard).
Recently, JavaScript's popularity has expanded even further through the successfulNode.js platform—the most popular cross-platform JavaScript runtime environment outside the browser. Node.js - built usingChrome's V8 JavaScript Engine - allows developers to use JavaScript as a scripting language to automate things on a computer and build fully functionalHTTP andWebSockets servers.