JavaScript for Complete Beginners: Where to Actually Start

You've decided to learn JavaScript, but you're not sure where to start or how to make sense of all the information available online. When searching for "JavaScript for beginners", you're likely to come across a multitude of tutorials, videos, and courses, each with its own approach and recommendations. This can be overwhelming, especially if you're new to programming. You might find yourself wondering which resources are trustworthy, which concepts are essential, and how to gauge your progress. The goal is to learn JavaScript in a way that's both efficient and enjoyable, without getting bogged down in unnecessary details or feeling like you're not making progress. The key to learning JavaScript is to focus on the fundamentals first, rather than trying to learn everything at once. This means understanding the basics of variables, data types, functions, and control structures, as well as how to work with the Document Object Model (DOM). It's also important to learn how to write clean, readable code and how to use tools like the console and debugger to troubleshoot your programs. By mastering these core concepts, you'll be able to build simple web applications and scripts, and you'll have a solid foundation for learning more advanced topics later on. You can expect to spend around 1-3 months learning the basics, depending on how much time you can dedicate to studying each week. As you progress in your learning journey, you'll start to encounter various frameworks and libraries, such as React, Angular, and Vue.js. While these tools can be powerful and useful, it's essential to remember that they're not necessary for learning JavaScript itself. In fact, trying to learn a framework too early can be counterproductive, as it can distract you from the underlying language and make it harder to understand how things work. By focusing on the fundamentals first and building a strong foundation in JavaScript, you'll be able to learn frameworks and libraries more easily later on, and you'll be better equipped to make informed decisions about which tools to use for your projects, whether you're working on a personal website or a complex web application that could earn you up to ₦500,000 ($1,200) per month.

Macbook pro beside white ceramic mug on brown wooden table — JavaScript for Complete Beginners: Where to Actually Start · Photo by Nathan da Silva on Unsplash

What is JavaScript and Why Should I Learn It

JavaScript is a high-level programming language used for creating interactive and dynamic web pages. It's one of the most popular programming languages in the world, and it's used by over 90% of websites for client-side scripting. In simple terms, JavaScript allows you to add functionality to your website, making it more engaging and user-friendly. For example, JavaScript can be used to create interactive forms, animate graphics, and update content on a website without requiring a full page reload.

The Role of JavaScript in Web Development

In web development, JavaScript is often used alongside HTML (Hypertext Markup Language) and CSS (Cascading Style Sheets). HTML is used for structuring content, CSS is used for styling, and JavaScript is used for adding interactivity. This combination of technologies is often referred to as the "front-end" of web development. As a JavaScript developer, you can expect to earn around ₦500,000 - ₦1,000,000 (approximately $1,200 - $2,400 USD) per month in Nigeria, depending on your experience and the company you work for.

JavaScript is also used in other areas, such as mobile app development, game development, and server-side programming. Tools like React Native and Angular allow you to use JavaScript to build mobile apps, while tools like Phaser and Pixi.js allow you to create games. On the server-side, technologies like Node.js and Express.js allow you to use JavaScript to build server-side applications.

Why Learn JavaScript?

There are many reasons why you should learn JavaScript. Here are a few:

High demand: JavaScript is one of the most in-demand programming languages in the world, with over 90% of websites using it. This means that there are many job opportunities available for JavaScript developers.
Good salary: JavaScript developers are typically well-paid, with an average salary range of ₦500,000 - ₦1,000,000 (approximately $1,200 - $2,400 USD) per month in Nigeria.
Cross-platform: JavaScript can be used for both front-end and back-end development, as well as for mobile app development and game development.
Large community: JavaScript has a large and active community, with many online resources available for learning and troubleshooting.
Constantly evolving: JavaScript is a constantly evolving language, with new features and technologies being added all the time. This means that there's always something new to learn, and you'll never get bored.

Additionally, learning JavaScript can take around 2-6 months, depending on how much time you dedicate to studying each week. For example, if you study for 10 hours per week, you can expect to learn the basics of JavaScript in around 2-3 months. With dedication and practice, you can become proficient in JavaScript and start building your own projects and applications.

Overall, JavaScript is a versatile and in-demand programming language that can open up many career opportunities. Whether you're interested in front-end development, back-end development, mobile app development, or game development, JavaScript is a great language to learn. With the right resources and dedication, you can become a skilled JavaScript developer and start building your own projects and applications in no time.

How to Set Up a JavaScript Development Environment

Choosing a Code Editor

To start coding in JavaScript, you need a code editor. A code editor is a program where you write, edit, and manage your code. There are many code editors available, both free and paid. For beginners, a free code editor like Visual Studio Code (VS Code) or Sublime Text is a good choice. VS Code is particularly popular among developers, and it's free to download and use. It takes about 5-10 minutes to download and install, depending on your internet speed.

For example, if you have a 10 Mbps internet connection, the download time for VS Code, which is around 50 MB, would be approximately 40 seconds. Installation takes an additional 1-2 minutes. So, in total, you can be up and running with VS Code in about 2-3 minutes.

Installing Node.js and npm

Node.js is a JavaScript runtime environment that allows you to run JavaScript on your computer, outside of a browser. npm (Node Package Manager) is a package manager for Node.js that makes it easy to install and manage dependencies. To set up Node.js and npm, go to the Node.js website and download the installer for your operating system. The download size is around 20-30 MB, and the installation process takes about 5-10 minutes.

Once installed, you can verify that Node.js and npm are working by opening a terminal or command prompt and typing node -v and npm -v. This will display the version of Node.js and npm that you just installed. For example, if you installed Node.js version 16.14.2, the output would be v16.14.2. The cost of downloading and installing Node.js and npm is free, and it's a one-time process.

Setting Up a Project Structure

A project structure is the organization of files and folders in your project. A typical JavaScript project structure includes a folder for your source code, a folder for your dependencies, and a file for your project metadata. To set up a project structure, create a new folder for your project and navigate to that folder in your terminal or command prompt.

Then, run the command npm init to create a new package.json file. This file contains metadata for your project, such as its name, version, and dependencies. The npm init command will prompt you to enter some information, such as your project name and version. For example, if you enter my-project as your project name and 1.0.0 as your version, the output would be a package.json file with the following content:

"name": "my-project"
"version": "1.0.0"

The cost of setting up a project structure is free, and it's a one-time process that takes about 5-10 minutes.

Installing Additional Tools

There are many additional tools that you can install to make your JavaScript development experience more efficient. For example, you can install a linter like ESLint to help you catch errors and enforce coding standards. You can also install a debugger like Chrome DevTools to help you debug your code.

To install these tools, you can use npm. For example, to install ESLint, you can run the command npm install eslint. This will download and install ESLint, which costs around ₦0 (free) and takes about 1-2 minutes to install, depending on your internet speed. The total cost of setting up a JavaScript development environment, including downloading and installing all the necessary tools, is around ₦0 (free), and it takes about 30-60 minutes to complete, depending on your internet speed and the tools you choose to install.

Laptop screen displaying colorful code — How to Set Up a JavaScript Development Environment · Photo by Mohammad Rahmani on Unsplash

JavaScript Basics to Learn First as a Beginner

Understanding the Fundamentals

When starting with JavaScript, it's essential to focus on the basics before moving on to more advanced topics. This includes understanding the syntax, data types, variables, and control structures. You can start by learning the basic syntax of JavaScript, which includes understanding how to write comments, declare variables, and use data types such as numbers, strings, and booleans. For example, you can use the console.log() function to print output to the console, and the alert() function to display a pop-up message.

A good place to start is with online resources such as FreeCodeCamp, which offers a comprehensive introduction to JavaScript basics. You can complete the basic syntax lessons on FreeCodeCamp in about 2-3 days, depending on how much time you dedicate to learning each day. Another resource is W3Schools, which provides tutorials, examples, and reference materials for JavaScript. You can use the W3Schools try-it-yourself editor to practice writing JavaScript code and see the output in real-time.

Variables, Data Types, and Operators

Once you have a good grasp of the basic syntax, you can move on to learning about variables, data types, and operators. In JavaScript, you can declare variables using the let, const, and var keywords. You should understand the differences between these keywords and when to use each. For example, the let keyword is used to declare a variable that can be reassigned, while the const keyword is used to declare a constant variable that cannot be changed.

You should also learn about the different data types in JavaScript, including numbers, strings, booleans, arrays, and objects. You can use the typeof operator to check the data type of a variable, and the console.log() function to print the value of a variable to the console. For example, you can use the following code to declare a variable and print its value to the console: let name = 'John Doe'; console.log(name);

Learn about the different data types in JavaScript, including numbers, strings, booleans, arrays, and objects.
Understand how to declare variables using the let, const, and var keywords.
Learn about the different operators in JavaScript, including arithmetic, comparison, and logical operators.
Practice using the console.log() function to print output to the console.

Control Structures and Functions

After learning about variables, data types, and operators, you can move on to learning about control structures and functions. Control structures include conditional statements (if/else) and loops (for, while, do-while). You can use the if statement to execute a block of code if a condition is true, and the for loop to execute a block of code repeatedly. For example, you can use the following code to print the numbers from 1 to 10 to the console: for (let i = 1; i <= 10; i++) { console.log(i); }

Functions are reusable blocks of code that take arguments and return values. You can use the function keyword to declare a function, and the return statement to specify the value that the function returns. For example, you can use the following code to declare a function that adds two numbers: function add(x, y) { return x + y; }

It's essential to practice writing JavaScript code to reinforce your understanding of the basics. You can start by writing simple programs that use variables, data types, and control structures. As you gain more experience, you can move on to more complex programs that use functions and object-oriented programming concepts. With consistent practice, you can develop a strong foundation in JavaScript and be ready to learn more advanced topics, such as frameworks and libraries, in about 2-3 months.

What Parts of JavaScript Can I Safely Ignore at First

When starting out with JavaScript, it's easy to feel overwhelmed by the sheer amount of information available. With so many concepts, tools, and frameworks to learn, it can be difficult to know where to focus your attention. The good news is that you don't need to learn everything about JavaScript at once. In fact, trying to do so can be a recipe for burnout and frustration. Instead, it's better to focus on the essential concepts and ignore certain parts of JavaScript until you have a solid foundation.

Advanced Topics

Some topics in JavaScript are considered advanced and can be safely ignored at first. These include things like asynchronous programming, closures, and the "this" keyword. While these concepts are important, they are not essential for building basic web applications. For example, you can build a simple to-do list app or a weather app without needing to understand asynchronous programming. You can come back to these topics later, once you have a solid grasp of the basics.

Additionally, you can also ignore certain tools and frameworks at first, such as Webpack, Babel, or TypeScript. These tools are useful for large-scale applications, but they can be overwhelming for beginners. For example, Webpack is a popular bundler that can help you manage your code, but it requires a good understanding of JavaScript modules and dependencies. If you're just starting out, it's better to focus on writing simple JavaScript code and understanding how it works, rather than trying to learn a complex tool like Webpack.

Browser-Specific Features

Another area where you can safely ignore certain parts of JavaScript is in browser-specific features. Different browsers, such as Chrome, Firefox, or Safari, have their own set of APIs and features that can be used to build web applications. However, these features are not essential for building basic web applications, and you can ignore them at first. For example, you can build a web app that works in all major browsers without needing to use the Chrome Extension API or the Firefox WebExtensions API.

Browser-specific APIs, such as the Chrome Extension API or the Firefox WebExtensions API
Advanced CSS features, such as CSS Grid or CSS Flexbox, which can be used to build complex layouts
Browser-specific JavaScript features, such as the Firefox's debugger or Chrome's DevTools

It's worth noting that while you can ignore these features at first, you will eventually need to learn about them if you want to build complex web applications. However, for now, it's better to focus on the basics and build a solid foundation in JavaScript.

When to Come Back to Ignored Topics

So, when should you come back to the topics you've ignored? The answer is, when you have a solid grasp of the basics. This can take anywhere from 2-6 months, depending on how much time you dedicate to learning JavaScript. A good rule of thumb is to come back to the ignored topics when you can build a simple web application from scratch, without needing to look up every line of code. At this point, you'll have a good understanding of the basics, and you can start to explore more advanced topics.

For example, if you're spending 10 hours a week learning JavaScript, you can expect to have a solid grasp of the basics in about 3-4 months. At this point, you can start to explore more advanced topics, such as asynchronous programming or Webpack. Additionally, you can start to explore browser-specific features, such as the Chrome Extension API or the Firefox WebExtensions API.

Turned on gray laptop computer — What Parts of JavaScript Can I Safely Ignore at First · Photo by Luca Bravo on Unsplash

How to Know When I'm Ready to Learn a JavaScript Framework

Understanding the Basics

To determine if you're ready to learn a JavaScript framework, you need to have a solid grasp of the basics. This includes understanding variables, data types, functions, loops, conditional statements, and object-oriented programming concepts. You should be able to write simple JavaScript programs, such as a calculator or a to-do list app, without referencing any tutorials or documentation. If you can build small projects like these, you're likely ready to move on to more complex topics.

A good way to gauge your readiness is to try building a project that involves user interaction, such as a quiz or a game. If you can create a simple project like this, you'll know you have a good foundation in JavaScript. For example, you can try building a Rock, Paper, Scissors game using JavaScript, HTML, and CSS. This project should take around 2-3 days to complete, depending on how much time you can dedicate to it.

Practicing with Online Resources

There are many online resources available to help you practice and improve your JavaScript skills. Websites like Codecademy, FreeCodeCamp, and W3Schools offer interactive coding exercises and projects to help you learn. You can also use online platforms like HackerRank, Codewars, or Codepen to practice solving problems and building small projects. Aim to complete at least 50-100 coding exercises on these platforms before moving on to a framework.

Another way to practice is to contribute to open-source projects on GitHub or GitLab. This will help you learn how to work with other developers, understand code reviews, and improve your coding skills. You can start by contributing to small projects, such as a todo list app or a simple game. As you gain more experience, you can move on to more complex projects.

Evaluating Your Skills

To evaluate your skills, ask yourself the following questions:

Can you write a JavaScript program that interacts with a user, such as a form or a game?
Do you understand how to use JavaScript libraries like jQuery or Lodash?
Can you explain the concept of closures, hoisting, and the "this" keyword in JavaScript?
Have you built at least 5-10 small projects using JavaScript, such as a calculator, a weather app, or a simple game?
Can you debug your own code using the browser's developer tools or a debugger like Node.js Inspector?

If you can answer "yes" to most of these questions, you're likely ready to learn a JavaScript framework. Some popular frameworks to consider include React, Angular, and Vue.js. Each framework has its own strengths and weaknesses, and the choice of which one to learn will depend on your goals and interests.

For example, if you want to build a complex web application with a large team, you may want to consider learning React. On the other hand, if you want to build a small web application with a simple architecture, you may want to consider learning Vue.js. The cost of learning a framework can vary, but you can expect to spend around ₦50,000 - ₦100,000 (around $120 - $250 USD) on online courses or tutorials.

Keep in mind that learning a framework will take time, and it's not something you can rush. You should expect to spend at least 2-3 months learning a framework, depending on how much time you can dedicate to it. With persistence and practice, you can become proficient in a JavaScript framework and take your coding skills to the next level.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is JavaScript used for?

JavaScript is used for creating interactive web pages and web applications. It is a key technology for developing desktop and mobile applications, games, and server-side programming.

How long does it take to learn JavaScript?

Learning JavaScript takes around 2-6 months to gain basic understanding. With consistent practice, you can become proficient in 1-2 years, depending on your dedication and learning pace.

Do I need to know other programming languages to learn JavaScript?

No, you don't need to know other programming languages to learn JavaScript. JavaScript is a great language to start with, and you can learn it from scratch without prior programming knowledge.

How much does it cost to learn JavaScript?

Learning JavaScript can cost ₦50,000 to ₦200,000 ($120 to $480 USD) for online courses and tutorials, or even free with online resources and tutorials, depending on your learning path and resources.

Where to go from here

Webbo3 Academy runs live online classes taught by real instructors, with AI-guided lessons in between. If this is the direction you want, the next step is to see the course structure and what the first week covers. You can also register to get started.