How Is JavaScript Used In Web Development?

Web development is a growing industry that attracts more students after the Mobile App Development industry. Web Development means making a webpage, publishing it & maintaining it throughout the time. And like every CS domain, the Web Development field works with many programming languages. In the web development field, many programming languages are present.

Among them, the JavaScript programming language is considered the most crucial one. With the help of JavaScript, 95% of web pages are running on the internet. In this article, we will discuss JavaScript along with its role in the Web Development process. Later, we will shed some light on how JavaScript is used in Web Development. So, let us start our journey.

What is JavaScript?

JavaScript is considered the High-Level programming language that is the major pillar of modern web development. It is a cross-platform programming language that follows the OOPs concept to make the websites more interactive to the users. 

In earlier days, a webpage was usually static. But now, you will find Graphs and Animation on most of the web pages. So, JavaScript is present behind the curtains that make the webpage Dynamic. As it is lightweight, it can be easily fitted to any modern website. From basic levels like JavaScript Factorial Calculator to advanced level web development projects like E-commerce sites or any portfolio websites, JavaScript has been used widely.

In web development, there are two fields present. One is Front-End & the other is Back-End. In both fields, JavaScript can be used & implemented. In Front-End, JavaScript needs to work with HTML & CSS. Whereas in Back-End the work is done with the frameworks to make web pages functional.

What is the Role of JavaScript in Web Development?

When we talk about the Web Development process, the name of three programming languages comes into a student's mind. And they are HTML, CSS & JavaScript. These trios are indeed the basic foundation of the Web Development process.

Now, a student knows that HTML helps to make the structure of the website. And the CSS helps to give the design to it. Then, what is the function of JavaScript in Web Development? JavaScript is used to make the webpage functional.

We can take one simple example. The HTML is like the Skeleton of the Human Body and CSS is like the Skin of the Body. Now, JavaScript is the Nerves and Muscles that make the human body workable. A programmer develops a button using HTML & gives design to it using CSS. The button becomes functional using the JavaScript programming language. So, JavaScript plays an important role in Web Development.

How is JavaScript Used in Web Development?

Now, after understanding the need and the role of JavaScript, it is time to answer how JavaScript is used in the Web Development process. The JavaScript is used in the Web Development process along with the HTML & CSS. In a simple document, the HTML, JavaScript & CSS elements get inserted. 

This practice is to be done for the web pages that are simple in structure. The websites where the needs of pages are greater & the content is way long, JavaScript is used in a separate file that is tagged to the HTML file. Such operations help to make web pages more interactive & dynamic.

What are the Fields in Web Development Where JavaScript is Used?

Now, after understanding the method to use JavaScript in the Web Development process along with the HTML & CSS, it is time to know some of the fields where the use of JavaScript is necessary. Certain tasks can be only achieved with the help of JavaScript.

1) DOM Manipulation: The DOM or the Document Object Model is the tree-like representation that helps to work on Web pages. With the help of JavaScript, such DOM manipulation can be possible. In simple terms, the DOM helps to make dynamic changes to the web elements that are normally static. For instance, you can add HTML elements & their attributes using JavaScript. You can remove & modify the elements based upon the necessity. Changing Text Content, and Updating Image falls under this category.

// Finding Any Element And Changing Its Text Content
document.getElementById("zzzz").textContent = "New Text";

2) Event Handling: For any webpage, Event Handling is the most important task. The simple meaning of Event Handling is revealing any secret operation after performing any certain tasks on the webpage. Certain tasks mean, Clicks, Mouse Movement, Pressing any certain key, etc. It can be made simpler with an example. Suppose, on a webpage, there is a button present. When you click on the button, it will reveal a message & a GIF image. Such operation can be done with JavScript where HTML & CSS only develop the button structure & design.

// Adding Event Listener To Button
document.getElementById("zzzzz").addEventListener("click", function() {
 // Write Down What Would Happen When The Button Is Clicked
});

3) Form Validation: Implementing & receiving data from the users in the form format is one of the most used operations in web pages. Where HTML & CSS help to make the form structure & design, JavaScript helps to make the form functional. That means, it helps to receive the data through the form & store it in the database. You can write a certain piece of code in such a way that it can only accept the required answer in the form. Suppose, the form is asking for the name of a course & the student fills in the course number there, it will mark the mistake in the form. Such simple operations can be done with JavaScript.

// Validating An Email Address
function validate(e) {
 const p = /^[a-zA-Z0-9._-]+@[a-zA-Z0-9.-]+\.[a-zA-Z]{2,4}$/;
 return p.test(e); // Returning Test Value
}

Conclusion: Without HTML & CSS, the two main pillars of Web Development, JavaScript can be used. But then, it will be recognized as a simple programming language that can do problem-solving, but not web development.

From the above discussion, we can hope that the concept of JavaScript & how JavaScript is used in Web Development becomes clear to you. The more you can clear the basic JavaScript concept, the more you gain knowledge about the topic.