JavaScript is one of the world’s most popular programming languages, having topped the list of most commonly used languages for the past nine years, according to a Stack Overflow survey.
“JavaScript is a text-based programming language used both on the client-side and server-side that allows you to make web pages interactive,” says Hack Reactor. It’s also easy to learn and is part of any browser, notes Andy Oram, which makes it a good choice for a first programming language. “You don't have to download anything or run a special program. Just write some JavaScript into a file and run it as a web page in your browser.”
To help you start learning JavaScript, we’ve rounded up eight online courses (both free and paid) that provide step-by-step instruction. These courses offer a variety of ways to learn, so you can choose from video instruction, interactive lessons, or self-guided tutorials, depending on your preference.
Become a JavaScript Developer
This LinkedIn offering features 13 courses and more than 24 hours of content that will teach you how to:
- Structure your code with an object-oriented approach.
- Handle events with JavaScript functions.
- Build complete web applications with vanilla JavaScript.
- Send and receive data using JSON and Ajax.
The course is included with a subscription to LinkedIn Learning.
Complete JavaScript Course 2024: From Zero to Expert
This Udemy course includes 69 hours of on-demand video, 21 articles, and 18 downloadable resources. It will take you from JavaScript fundamentals all the way to building modern and complex applications. In this course, you will:
- Get an introduction to HTML and CSS to get you up to speed.
- Learn how to think and work like a developer through problem-solving, researching, and workflows.
- Build real-world projects.
This course is currently offered for $149.
JavaScript Dynamic Client-Side Scripting
Mozilla (MDM Web Docs) offers many online guides and tutorials aimed at complete beginners, as well as with a complete front-end web developer course, tools, and references. In these courses, you will learn about:
- JavaScript building blocks
- JavaScript objects
- Asynchronous JavaScript
- Client-side web APIs
These courses are free.
JavaScript for Beginners
This Coursera specialization (offered by UC Davis) will help you build your skills in JavaScript and jQuery. It is aimed at learners with no previous programming experience or career changers who are transitioning to software development. The four-month learning path offers a series of modules and courses, including:
- Working with a code editor
- Introduction of selection control structures
- How to create loops
- Understanding core programming structures
This course is free.
JavaScript in 3 Hours
This tutorial for beginners follows the Introduction to JavaScript curriculum from freeCodeCamp.org. The three-hour video hosted by Beau Carnes offers a quick way to get started with the JavaScript programming language, through lessons such as:
- Commenting your JavaScript code
- Declaring JavaScript variables
- Storing values with the assignment operator
- Assigning the value of one variable to another
This course is free.
JavaScript Tutorial
This online tutorial from W3 Schools will teach you JavaScript from basic to advanced, through example-driven instruction. The comprehensive, self-guided tutorial supplements all explanations with "Try it Yourself" examples that let you learn at your own speed.
This tutorial is free.
Learn JavaScript
The Learn JavaScript website offers an interactive environment, with short lessons and interactive tests, which are guided by automated assessment. The course assumes that you are familiar with basics such as variables, functions, arrays, objects, and classes, as well as some HTML and CSS.
The first 77 lessons (seven chapters) are available for free. The remaining chapters require a Pro account, which is available for $75.
Learn JavaScript
In this 15-hour Codecademy course, you will learn programming fundamentals and basic object-oriented concepts using the latest JavaScript syntax. The concepts covered in these lessons lay the foundation for using JavaScript in any environment. Topics include:
- Comments
- Console
- Data types
- Arithmetic operators
The course is included with a $19.99/month subscription to Codecademy Pro.
Other Resources
If you have additional time and money to devote to your JavaScript learning journey, you might consider enrolling in a bootcamp, attending courses at a local university or community college, or other formal training.
If you're ready to find a job, check out the open positions at: Open Source JobHub.
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