ETHIO-PARENTS' SCHOOL

ICT PROJECT: JAVASCRIPT

MEMBERS
1. Dagmawi Belayneh
2. Hikma Yasin
3. Hasset Adugna
4. Haroni Abush
5. Mihret Sisay
6. Biruk Yenew

Submitted to Mr. Zenebe

May 2024
JAVASCRIPT
 1.1 Introduction

Background of JavaScript
JavaScript, often abbreviated as JS, is a high-level, interpreted programming language that is
widely used for web development. Developed by Brendan Eich in 1995, JavaScript was
originally created to enhance the interactivity of websites by allowing client-side scripts to
interact with the user interface. Over the years, JavaScript has evolved into a versatile language
that can be used for both front-end and back-end development.

Purpose of the Document

The purpose of this comprehensive guide is to provide a thorough understanding of
JavaScript programming, from its basic syntax to advanced concepts and best practices.
Whether you are a beginner looking to learn JavaScript or an experienced developer
seeking to deepen your knowledge, this document aims to serve as a valuable resource
for mastering the language.

Scope of the Document

This document covers a wide range of topics related to JavaScript programming, including
syntax, functions, objects, DOM manipulation, asynchronous programming, error handling,
libraries and frameworks, advanced concepts, debugging and testing, best practices, modern
web development techniques, case studies, and more.
By exploring these areas in detail, readers will gain a solid foundation in JavaScript and be
equipped to build robust web applications.
 Thesis Statement
The thesis of this guide is to empower readers with the knowledge and skills necessary to
become proficient JavaScript developers. By delving into the nuances of JavaScript
programming and providing practical examples and insights, this document aims to demystify
the language and inspire readers to leverage its capabilities in their projects.

1.2 History of JavaScript

Origins and Development

JavaScript was originally developed by Brendan Eich in 1995 while he was working at
Netscape Communications Corporation. Initially named Mocha, the language was later
renamed to LiveScript before finally settling on JavaScript. Despite its name association with
Java, JavaScript is a distinct language with its own syntax and features.

Evolution of JavaScript
In November 1996, Netscape submitted JavaScript to Ecma International, as the starting point
for a standard specification that all browser vendors could conform to. This led to the official
release of the first ECMAScript language specification in June 1997. The standards process
continued for a few years, with the release of ECMAScript 2 in June 1998 and ECMAScript 3
in December 1999. Work on ECMAScript 4 began in 2000.
However, the effort to fully standardize the language was undermined by Microsoft gaining an
increasingly dominant position in the browser market. By the early 2000s, Internet Explorer's
market share reached 95%. This meant that JScript became the de facto standard for client-side
scripting on the Web.
Microsoft initially participated in the standards process and implemented some proposals in its
JScript language, but eventually it stopped collaborating on ECMA work. Thus ECMAScript 4
was mothballed.
 Importance in Web Development
JavaScript plays a vital role in modern web development, enabling developers to create
dynamic and interactive websites. From form validation to animations and real-time updates,
JavaScript allows for seamless user experiences on the web. With the rise of single-page
applications (SPAs) and server-side JavaScript frameworks like Node.js, the importance of
JavaScript in web development continues to grow.
The use of JavaScript has expanded beyond its web browser roots. JavaScript engines are now
embedded in a variety of other software systems, both for server-side website deployments and
non-browser applications. Initial attempts at promoting server-side JavaScript usage were
Netscape Enterprise Server and Microsoft's Internet Information Services, but they were small
niches.
Server-side usage eventually started to grow in the late 2000s, with the creation of Node.js and
other approaches. Electron, Cordova, React Native, and other application frameworks have
been used to create many applications with behavior implemented in JavaScript. Other non-
browser applications include Adobe Acrobat support for scripting PDF documents and
GNOME Shell extensions written in JavaScript. JavaScript has recently begun to appear in
some embedded systems, usually by leveraging Node.js.

1.3 Basics of JavaScript

Syntax and Structure

JavaScript syntax is similar to other programming languages like C++ and Java, with statements
ending in semicolons and blocks enclosed in curly braces. Variables are declared using
keywords like var, let, or const, and functions are defined using the function keyword.
// Declares a function-scoped variable named `x`, and implicitly assigns the
// special value `undefined` to it. Variables without value are automatically
// set to undefined.
// var is generally considered bad practice and let and const are usually preferred.
var x;

// Variables can be manually set to `undefined` like so

let x2 = undefined;

// Declares a block-scoped variable named `y`, and implicitly sets it to

// `undefined`. The `let` keyword was introduced in ECMAScript 2015.
let y;

// Declares a block-scoped, un-reassignable variable named `z`, and sets it to

// a string literal. The `const` keyword was also introduced in ECMAScript 2015,
// and must be explicitly assigned to.

// The keyword `const` means constant, hence the variable cannot be reassigned
// as the value is `constant`.
const z = "this value cannot be reassigned!";

// Declares a global-scoped variable and assigns 3. This is generally considered

// bad practice, and will not work if strict mode is on.
t = 3;

// Declares a variable named `myNumber`, and assigns a number literal (the value
// `2`) to it.
let myNumber = 2;

// Reassigns `myNumber`, setting it to a string literal (the value `"foo"`).

// JavaScript is a dynamically-typed language, so this is legal.
myNumber = "foo";

Note the comments in the examples above, all of which were preceded with two forward
slashes.
There is no built-in Input/output functionality in JavaScript, instead it is provided by the run-
time environment. The ECMAScript specification in edition 5.1 mentions that "there are no
provisions in this specification for input of external data or output of computed results".
However, most runtime environments have a console object that can be used to print output.
Here is a minimalist "Hello, World!" program in JavaScript in a runtime environment with a
console object:
Example: console.log("Hello, World!");

Variables and Data Types

JavaScript supports various data types such as strings, numbers, Booleans, arrays, objects, and
more. Variables can be assigned values of different data types dynamically, making JavaScript
a loosely typed language.
A JavaScript variable is simply a name of storage location. There are two types of variables in
JavaScript: local variable and global variable. There are some rules while declaring a
JavaScript variable (also known as identifiers).
I. Name must start with a letter (a to z or A to Z), underscore ( _ ), or dollar ( $
) sign.
II. After the first letter we can use digits (0 to 9), for example value1.
III. JavaScript variables are case sensitive, for example x and X are different
variables.

Operators and Expressions

JavaScript provides a wide range of operators for performing arithmetic, comparison, logical,
and bitwise operations. Expressions can be constructed using operators to evaluate conditions or
perform calculations.
JavaScript operators are symbols used to operate the operands. Operators are used to perform
specific mathematical and logical computations on operands.

// Arithmetic operations
let x = 10;
 let y = 5;
let sum = x + y;
let product = x * y;

// Comparison operators
let isEqual = x === y;
let isGreaterThan = x > y;

// Logical operators
let isTrue = true;
let isFalse = false;
let result = isTrue && isFalse; // false

Control Flow and Loops

Control flow statements like if-else and switch-case allow developers to make decisions based
on conditions. Loops such as for, while, and do-while enable repetitive execution of code
blocks based on specified criteria.

1.4 Functions in JavaScript

Declaring Functions
Functions in JavaScript can be declared using the function keyword followed by a function
name and optional parameters enclosed in parentheses. Functions can have return values and
can be invoked multiple times within a script.
Almost every time you use a JavaScript statement with parentheses, you are simply making use
of a JavaScript function. Functions fall into the JavaScript data type called objects and almost
every JavaScript program runs inside a function.
Functions in JavaScript are very similar to those of some other scripting high-level languages
such as TypeScript and there are two types of functions: predefined and user defined. The
predefined functions are functions that are built-in, already embedded in the program while the
user-defined function which is the focus of this article are functions that a user inputs into the
program to perform custom tasks.
In JavaScript, there are different ways of declaring functions. Let’s examine what a
function declaration is.
A function declaration, also known as function definition or statement, is a way of
providing sets of instructions to be carried out in a program when executed. It is a way of
saving a function with a particular parameter so it can be called (invoked) when needed
to perform the task for which it was defined.
The syntax (as seen below) of a function must be defined before it can be implemented:
1. function name() {

2. // .......
3. }

Parameters and Arguments

Functions can accept parameters as placeholders for values passed during invocation.
Arguments are actual values passed to a function when it is called. So, in a nutshell, a
parameter is a variable in the function definition, while an argument is the actual value that is
passed to the function when it is called.

Return Statements
The return statement in a function specifies the value that the function should return when it is
called. Functions can return values of any data type or even other functions.

Anonymous Functions and Arrow Functions

Anonymous functions do not have a specified name and are often used as callbacks or
immediately invoked function expressions (IIFEs). Arrow functions provide a concise syntax
for defining functions and have implicit return values.

1.5 Objects and Arrays

Creating Objects
Objects in JavaScript are collections of key-value pairs known as properties. Objects can
contain methods (functions) that operate on their properties.

Object Properties and Methods

Properties in objects can be accessed using dot notation or bracket notation. Methods are functions defined
within an object that can manipulate its properties or perform specific tasks.

Working with Arrays

Arrays in JavaScript are ordered collections of elements that can be accessed by index. Arrays
can contain elements of different data types and support various methods for manipulation.

Array Methods
JavaScript provides built-in array methods like push, pop, shift, unshift, map, filter, reduce, and
for. Each for performing common operations on arrays efficiently.

1.6 DOM Manipulation

 Introduction to the Document Object Model (DOM)
The Document Object Model (DOM) is a programming interface that represents the structure of
an HTML document as a tree of objects. JavaScript can interact with the DOM to manipulate
elements on a webpage dynamically.

Selecting Elements
JavaScript provides methods like getElementById, getElementsByClassName, querySelector,
querySelectorAll, etc., for selecting elements from the DOM based on various criteria.

Modifying Element Properties

Once an element is selected from the DOM, its properties like text content, attributes, styles,
classes, etc., can be modified using JavaScript.

Event Handling
Events like click, hover, submit, keypress, etc., can be handled using event listeners in
JavaScript. Event handlers can be attached to elements to trigger specific actions in response to
user interactions.

1.7 Asynchronous JavaScript

Callback Functions
Callback functions are functions passed as arguments to other functions and executed
asynchronously when a specific event occurs, or an operation completes. A callback is a
function passed as an argument to another function. This technique allows a function to call
another function. A callback function can run after another function has finished.

Promises
Promises are objects representing the eventual completion (or failure) of an asynchronous
operation and allow chaining multiple asynchronous operations sequentially. A Promise is a
proxy for a value not necessarily known when the promise is created. It allows you to associate
handlers with an asynchronous action's eventual success value or failure reason. This lets
asynchronous methods return values like synchronous methods: instead of immediately
returning the final value, the asynchronous method returns a promise to supply the value at
some point in the future.

Async/Await
Async/Await is a modern approach to handling asynchronous code in JavaScript using async
functions and await expressions to simplify asynchronous programming and make it more
readable.

Fetch API
The Fetch API is a modern replacement for XMLHttpRequest that provides a simpler interface
for making network requests in JavaScript using promises.

1.8 Error Handling in JavaScript

Types of Errors
JavaScript errors can be categorized into syntax errors (parsing errors), runtime errors
(exceptions), and logical errors (bugs). Understanding the types of errors is essential for
effective error handling. There are 7 types of JavaScript errors: Syntax error, Reference Error,
Type Error, Evaluation Error, RangeError, URI Error and Internal Error.
Syntax error - The error occurs when you use a predefined syntax incorrectly.

Reference Error - In a case where a variable reference can't be found or hasn't been
declared, then a Reference error occurs.

Type Error - An error occurs when a value is used outside the scope of its data type.
Evaluation Error - Current JavaScript engines and ECMAScript specifications do not
throw this error. However, it is still available for backward compatibility.

RangeError - There is an error when a range of expected values is required.

URI Error - When the wrong character(s) are used in a URI function.

Internal Error - In the JS engine, this error occurs most often when there is too much
data, and the stack exceeds its critical size. When there are too many recursion patterns,
switch cases, etc., the JS engine gets overwhelmed.

Try-Catch Blocks

Try-Catch blocks allow developers to catch exceptions thrown during execution and handle
them gracefully without causing the script to crash.

Error Objects
JavaScript provides built-in error objects like SyntaxError, ReferenceError, TypeError, etc.,
which can be used to identify specific types of errors in code.

1.9 JavaScript Libraries and Frameworks

A JavaScript library is a collection of classes, methods, and pre-written functions that a
developer can use in their web development projects. Think of them as a book library where
you revisit to read your favorite books. You may be an author and enjoy other authors’ books,
get a new perspective or idea, and utilize the same in your life.

Overview of Popular Libraries (e.g., jQuery)

jQuery is a popular JavaScript library that simplifies DOM manipulation, event handling,
animations, AJAX requests, and more by providing a concise API for common tasks.

Introduction to Frameworks (e.g., React, Angular)

JavaScript frameworks like React and Angular provide structured approaches to building
complex web applications by offering components-based architectures, data binding
mechanisms, routing systems, state management solutions, etc.
JavaScript frameworks streamline development by offering features like component-based
architecture, data binding, and routing, enhancing productivity and application performance.

1.10 Advanced JavaScript Concepts

Closures and Scope

Closures allow functions to retain access to variables from their enclosing scope even after the scope has closed.
Understanding closures is crucial for managing scope in JavaScript. Scope in JavaScript determines the
visibility and accessibility of variables, while closures are functions that encapsulate variables
from their parent functions.

Prototypal Inheritance
JavaScript uses prototypal inheritance where objects inherit properties from other objects
through prototype chains rather than classes like in traditional object-oriented languages.
Prototype inheritance in JavaScript is the linking of prototypes of a parent object to a child
object to share and utilize the properties of a parent class using a child class. Prototypes are
hidden objects that are used to share the properties and methods of a parent class with child
classes.

ES6 Features (e.g., Classes, Modules)

ECMAScript 6 (ES6) introduced new features like classes for defining object blueprints with
constructors and methods, modules for organizing code into reusable components, arrow
functions for concise syntaxes, etc. Classes were introduced to expand on prototype-based
inheritance by adding some object-oriented concepts. Modules were introduced to organize
multiple code files in JavaScript and expand on code reusability and scoping among files.

Functional Programming in JavaScript

Functional programming paradigms like higher-order functions, pure functions, immutability,
and recursion can be implemented in JavaScript to write cleaner code with fewer side effects.

1.11 Debugging and Testing in JavaScript

Debugging is the process of testing, finding, and reducing bugs (errors) in computer
programs. Programming code might contain syntax errors, or logical errors. Many of these
errors are difficult to diagnose. Often, when programming code contains errors, nothing will
happen. There are no error messages, and you will get no indications where to search for errors.
Searching for (and fixing) errors in programming code is called code debugging. Debugging is
not easy. But fortunately, all modern browsers have a built-in JavaScript debugger.

Using Developer Tools

Modern web browsers come equipped with developer tools that allow developers to debug
JavaScript code by setting breakpoints, inspecting variables, profiling performance, etc.

Unit Testing with Jest or Mocha

Unit testing frameworks like Jest or Mocha enable developers to write test cases for individual
units of code (functions or modules) to ensure they behave as expected under different
scenarios.
 1.12 Best Practices in JavaScript Programming

Code Formatting and Style Guides

Adhering to code formatting standards like ESLint or Prettier ensures consistency across
codebases and helps maintain readability for developers working on collaborative projects.

Performance Optimization Tips

Optimizing JavaScript code involves minimizing file sizes through minification and
compression techniques, reducing unnecessary computations or loops, lazy loading resources,
etc., to improve page load times.

Security Considerations
Preventing common security vulnerabilities like cross-site scripting (XSS), cross-site request
forgery (CSRF), injection attacks require implementing secure coding practices such as input
validation, output encoding, authentication mechanisms, etc.

1.13 JavaScript in Modern Web Development

Integrating JavaScript with HTML and CSS

JavaScript interacts with HTML for creating dynamic content and styling elements through CSS
properties dynamically based on user interactions or application logic. Using JavaScript, you
can interact with the HTML DOM to dynamically modify the content and

behavior of an HTML page. This allows you to create interactive web applications, implement
dynamic user interfaces, and perform various operations on the document based on user actions
or programmatic logic.

Building Single Page Applications (SPAs)

Single Page Applications (SPAs) use client-side routing mechanisms like React Router or Vue
Router to render different views without refreshing the entire page by fetching data
asynchronously from APIs.

Server-Side JavaScript with Node.js

Node.js allows developers to run JavaScript code on the server-side by leveraging Google's V8
engine for executing server applications efficiently with non-blocking I/O operations.

1.14 Case Studies and Examples

Real-world Applications of JavaScript

JavaScript is used in various real-world applications such as e-commerce websites (e.g.,
Amazon), social media platforms (e.g., Facebook), productivity tools (e.g., Trello), online
gaming (e.g., Fortnite), etc., showcasing its versatility and power.
JavaScript is one of the most popular programming languages used by more than 97% of
websites. Thus, it’s very important for JavaScript professionals to have a good grip on it. Using
JavaScript, you can build some of the best websites useful for industries to grow. Those who
already have an idea of working with JavaScript, can try some of the advanced features and
implement them to create some amazing and practical web applications. Building some of
the best practical applications using JavaScript is a must to have a good grasp of it.
Mobile apps nowadays are becoming part of our lives, and they make our lives very easy. These
apps can be built on JavaScript. There are so many frameworks of JavaScript that are being
used for developing web applications.

Code Snippets and Sample Projects

Code snippets demonstrating specific concepts or techniques in JavaScript along with sample
projects showcasing practical implementations can help reinforce learning and provide hands-
on experience for readers.

1.15 Conclusion
 Summary of Key Points
In conclusion, this comprehensive project has covered a wide array of topics related to
JavaScript programming—from basic syntax to advanced concepts—in an effort to equip
readers with the knowledge and skills necessary to excel in web development using JavaScript.

Future Trends in JavaScript Development

As technology evolves rapidly, future trends in JavaScript development may include
advancements in machine learning integration (TensorFlow.js), Web Assembly adoption for
high-performance computing tasks in browsers, progressive web applications (PWAs) for
enhanced user experiences offline-first strategies using service workers and Indexed DB storage
solutions for caching data locally on devices.

REFERENCES
Geeksforgeeks.org
Medium.com
Wikipedia.com
Midjourney chatbot ai