What is JavaScript

History

JavaScript, a scripting programming language, was originally created by Brendam Eich in just 10 days. It plays a fundamental role in the technologies of the WWW. In 2022, 98% of websites use JavaScript. It is a high-level (just-in-time compiled) language. JavaScript conforms the EcmaScript standards.

Characteristics

Some of the most relevant characteristics of the language are:

  1. Dynamic and weakly typing
  2. prototype-bases object orientation
  3. First class functions

Moreover, JavaScript is versatile in terms of programming paradigms. It can be used in various styles:

  1. Event-driven
  2. functional
  3. Imperative
  4. Programming Object-Oriented (more or less)
  5. Prototype-based programming

IMPORTANT JavaScript doesn’t support I/O operations by itself. It requires the runtime system provide this functionality.

Other uses

JavaScript has application in diverse domains:

  1. Web Browser
  2. Server side (node.js, bun.sh, deno)
  3. Multi-plataform JavaScript is employed in building desktop and mobile applications with frameworks such:
    • Desktop:
      • Electron
    • Mobile:
      • Cordoba/ionic
      • React Native
  4. Specific desktop applications:
    • Gnome-shell
    • Some LSP (language server protocol)

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