Chapter08 JavaScript1 Language Fundamentals

Jul 6, 2026

Chapter 8 introduces JavaScript language fundamentals in the context of web development. It explains what JavaScript is, outlines its history from its 1996 introduction in Netscape Navigator, and connects the language to ECMAScript evolution, including ES6/ES2015. The chapter also describes JavaScript’s role in Web 2.0, including AJAX as an acronym and general term, and previews later coverage. It further shows where JavaScript can live in HTML via inline, embedded, and external forms, then covers dynamic typing and the use of the var keyword for variable declarations.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryTechnology

FormatPDF

Pages46

Reading Time1 h 56 min

What is JavaScript & What Can It Do?

JavaScript’s History

JavaScript and Web 2.0

Where Does JavaScript Go?

Inline JavaScript

Embedded JavaScript

External JavaScript

Variables and Data Types

Chapter 8 Randy Connolly and Ricardo Hoar Fundamentals of Web Development © 2017 Pearson [http://www.funwebdev.com](http://www.funwebdev.com) JavaScript 1: Language Fundamentals What is JavaScript & What Can It Do? JavaScript’s History • JavaScript was introduced by Netscape in their Navigator browser back in 1996 • JavaScript that is supported by your browser contains language features • not included in the current ECMAScript specification and • missing certain language features from that specification The latest version of ECMAScript is the Sixth Edition (generally referred to as ES6 or ES2015 ) . Randy Connolly and Ricardo Hoar Fundamentals of Web Development-2nd Ed. What is JavaScript & What Can It Do? JavaScript and Web 2.0 • Early JavaScript had only a few common uses: • 2000s onward saw more sophisticated uses for JavaScript • AJAX as both an acronym and a general term • Chapters 10 and 19 will cover AJAX in much more detail. Randy Connolly and Ricardo Hoar Fundamentals of Web Development-2nd Ed. Where Does JavaScript Go? Inline JavaScript Inline JavaScript refers to the practice of including JavaScript code directly within certain HTML attributes <a href ="JavaScript:OpenWindow();">more info</a><input type="button" onClick="alert('Are you sure?'); " /> Randy Connolly and Ricardo Hoar Fundamentals of Web Development-2nd Ed. Where Does JavaScript Go? Embedded JavaScript Embedded JavaScript refers to the practice of placing JavaScript code within a <script> element <script type="text/javascript"> / * A JavaScript Comment */ alert("Hello World!"); </script> Randy Connolly and Ricardo Hoar Fundamentals of Web Development-2nd Ed. Where Does JavaScript Go? External JavaScript external JavaScript files typically contain function definitions, data definitions, and entire frameworks. <head> <script type="text/javascript" src ="greeting.js"></script> </head> Randy Connolly and Ricardo Hoar Fundamentals of Web Development-2nd Ed. Variables and Data Types Variables in JavaScript are dynamically typed This simplifies variable declarations, since we do not require the familiar data-type identifiers Instead we simply use the var keyword Randy Connolly and Ricardo Hoar Fundamentals of Web Development-2nd Ed. ![image](https://weboffic

FAQs

When was JavaScript introduced, and by whom?

JavaScript was introduced by Netscape in their Navigator browser in 1996.

What is ECMAScript, and what version is referenced as ES6/ES2015?

ECMAScript defines language features supported by browsers. The latest version mentioned is the Sixth Edition, referred to as ES6 or ES2015.

Where can JavaScript code be placed in a web page?

JavaScript can be included inline within HTML attributes, embedded inside a