Cutting Your Programming Teeth on JavaScript

Why it's a great first programming language

JavaScript is a bit different from other programming languages. How? Well, JavaScript runs in an environment, and that’s usually the browser. So when you learn JavaScript, you’ll learn both the language basics, as well as how to use JavaScript in the browser to do things like interact with the page, add and remove elements, draw graphics, or store data locally in the browser.

Another way that JavaScript is a bit different is that it’s so easy to get started with: all you need is a basic text editor and a browser, and you’re ready to go. This also makes JavaScript a great first language. For instance, the fact that you can run JavaScript in the browser means you have a built-in, easy way to see your results, and you can create and interact with a web page interface, without having to write a huge amount of code.

We’re designing Head First JavaScript Programming so that you can learn JavaScript, from scratch, even if you’ve never programmed before. All you need is just some background in HTML and CSS. If that’s where you’re coming from, and you’re itching to learn how to program, check out part three of Head First JavaScript Programming Teasers, where we step you through what makes JavaScript unique, and why it’s a great first programming language.

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