What Is Java Script?

What is Java Script? Java Script is a programming convention that is used in Web development. It differs from the programming language of Java, and it's primarily used to add interaction to static Web sites. Let's take a look at what Java Script is and how it's used.

From Static To Dynamic
Many Web sites are created using the language HTML. HTML is great for creating Web sites that are static. This means that, if any updates or changes that need to be made to the site, the webmaster must log onto the site and directly edit the HTML code. As computers became more advanced and the full scope of the Internet was realized, webmasters needed a way to make their static Web sites more interactive and dynamic. Dynamic Web sites are pages that get their content from an external data source that can be constantly changing. Java Script is code that can be embedded into HTML code to help create these dynamic Web sites.

What Java Script Can Do
Some simple things that you may have noticed surfing the Web could be done by using Java Script. For example, you've probably noticed that, when you place the mouse over a link or a picture on some Web sites, the address of the link or a description of the image appear at the bottom of your Web browser, where the status bar usually is. Java Script can also move or change the graphics on the page as the mouse scrolls across it. This is not all Java Script can do. It is also used on many eCommerce sites, as it can be utilized to create a scrolling stock ticker. There really is no limit to what Java Script can create.

Using Java Script In Your Web Browser
So, how do you enable Java Script on your Web browser? Most Web browsers automatically come with Java Script enabled. You can choose to turn it off, but you wouldn't be able to do as much online. If you are looking to use Java Script for your own Web site, you don't need to be a programmer. In fact, some Web sites offer free code that you can copy and paste into your HTML code.