Explain like I only speak in plain English

JavaScript can turn static websites into dynamic websites. JavaScript gives possibility to interactive features such as live chat, infinite feed loading, map navigation, animation and more. If HTML is the skeleton, CSS is the skin/fat/hair, JavaScript would be the muscles.

The above GIF shows an interactive map created using a combination of HTML, CSS and JavaScript. JavaScript reads user interactions such as click and drag and translates it into interactions such as panning the map.

Without JavaScript, we will only be reading websites like a book or newspaper.

Explain like I'm a total nerd

JavaScript is a programming language that can be executed in the browser. JavaScript was developed as a 'glue' to HTML on websites, so that web designers could easily assemble components such as images and plugins back in 1995.

Since then, JavaScript has been getting more and more powerful in the tasks it can perform on the browser. Engineers write programs in JavaScript that can do things like payment processing, shopping cart, basic games, live chat, and more.

JavaScript, alongside HTML and CSS, is a cornerstone technology of the internet.

Explain like I'm an artist

If HTML and CSS create images, then JavaScript is the what joins images together to create animation. JavaScript can also turn static sculptures into moving sculptures. In essence, JavaScript adds interactivity to websites.

Explain like I like videos

Explain like I like examples

Here is how to print Hello World in JavaScript.

console.log('Hello World!');

Explain like I already know it

Most of us relate JavaScript with front-end web development. However, JavaScript is also used in back-end web development specifically with Node.js. Engineers that prefer to use Node.js on server side tend to use the MEAN stack.

Engineers refer to pure JavaScript code as vanilla JS. For simple small websites, vanilla JS would suffice. When building large front-end projects, we like to use frameworks. The most popular front-end frame work is ReactJs and AngularJs. VueJs has also seen some gain in popularity starting 2017.

NodeJS

NodeJs is a system that runs JavaScript programs for back-end server applications. This enables web engineers to use one programming language for writing front-end and back-end projects.

jQuery is a JavaScript library that helps front-end web engineers add interactive features to a website. In essence, it is a collection of commonly used stand alone tools that front-end engineers use to build websites.

Programming

Programming is creating instructions for the computer to perform specific tasks. A person who writes programs is called a programmer. There are many different programming languages a programmer can write programs in.

HTML

HTML is like a newspaper layout but for websites. A layout is a grid system for us to place content. Instead of using pen and paper to draw the grid, we follow HTML's standards to define the grid.

Cookies

Cookies are small data that are stored on a web browser to help websites keep track of your log in status, items in your active shopping cart, whether you are in dark mode, etc.

Programming Language

Coding is a way to talk to computers. In essence, when we code, we are telling the computer what to do. It’s the same thing as telling a person what to do. A programming language is like any spoken language.