JavaScript is one of the most popular programming languages in the world. It’s the language of the web, with millions of websites and applications relying on it. With its ubiquity and powerful features, it’s no surprise that many developers want to learn JavaScript quickly.
Learning a programming language can seem daunting, especially if you’re new to coding. With so much confusing terminology flying around, it can be easy to get distracted by multiple languages and frameworks. As a result, learning JavaScript can take longer than it has to.
This article will provide a step-by-step guide to learning JavaScript quickly and effectively. We’ll walk you through the fundamentals, from choosing the right learning resources to writing your first code. We’ll also provide JavaScript hacks and tips to help you stay motivated and increase your learning speed.
So if you’re ready to get started, let’s dive in with how to learn JavaScript fast.
What is Javascript?
Before learning anything new, you must first comprehend what it is and what it accomplishes. The same rule applies when you start learning a programming language.
To begin your journey, you must first know what Javascript is and where it is used.
In the most basic terms, JavaScript is a programming language that makes webpages dynamic. When you think about the core components of a website, you have HTML, which specifies and defines the primary content and design of the website. CSS, which informs the browser how to present this HTML material—determining things like color and font.
With just HTML and CSS, you can create a website that looks nice but doesn’t accomplish anything. JavaScript adds functionality to the webpage, bringing it to life. It is in charge of items with which the user may interact, such as drop-down menus, modal windows, and contact forms. It also utilizes animations, video players, and interactive maps.
At first, JS was only used in the front end, but after the release of Node in 2009, developers could also deploy JavaScript to write backend code.
Why Should I Learn JavaScript?
JavaScript can look tempting if you’re not set on which programming language you want to learn. A critical mistake many beginners make is trying to tackle multiple web development languages and stacks and losing focus. To combat this “information overload,” you should try to focus solely on one language and one stack at the beginning.
So why learn JavaScript? Here are a few reasons you should consider JavaScript as your first language:
JavaScipt has a bright future.
Javascript projects have the highest number of pull requests on Github, demonstrating its rapidly growing popularity among programmers.
Facebook, Google, Microsoft, and Netflix are among the corporations investing in it. Additionally, according to devjobsscanner.com, JavaScript positions represent 31% of total web development and programming job listings. That’s over 800,000 available jobs.
JavaScript is easy to learn.
Coding does not have to be hard to learn. JavaScript is a prime example of this. Since it is a high-level scripting language, Javascript is more straightforward for beginners to learn than Java and C++. There may be claims that Python is simpler to learn; however, the additional benefits of knowing JavaScript exceed the steeper learning curve. You can create practically anything using JS.
JavaScript is super fast.
The Node.JS framework makes Javascript quicker than Python, Ruby, and PHP and competitive with other high-performance programming languages such as Java, C, and go.
JavaScript supports mobile app development.
You may begin designing native applications with Javascript using frameworks like React Native and Angular Cordova. In addition, you can understand back-end technologies like Node.JS and Express.JS for your mobile applications to function.
6 Tips to Learn JavaScript Fast
Let me preface this by recalling one of my favorite anonymous quotes on the topic:
“The fastest way to learn is by not trying to learn fast.”
You must realize that you can’t rush and skip the essential steps. There is no substitute for getting practice with real-world projects, and this takes time. That being said, here are a few tips you can use to streamline the process.
Getting comfortable with the Basics
A common belief is that if you master the fundamentals, you will excel. Once you have mastered the fundamentals of any subject, you can absorb the majority of subjects in a single sitting.
If you want to understand JavaScript comprehensively, dozens upon dozens of concepts are available to study. To get started with building projects and get a well-paying job, however, you just need the required skills and knowledge, which are fundamentals and common principles.
A few of the basics you must get a grasp on are, Functions, Variables, Conditional Expressions, OOP, and event handling. Mastering these basics is handy, as most Interview questions come from these topics. Grasping the fundamentals of JavaScript is essential before you move on to more advanced topics like JavaScript frameworks.
Enrolling in a Bootcamp
Coding boot camps are growing in popularity for a good reason. They are the easiest and most effective methods for learning JavaScript and other programming languages.
They provide an interactive learning environment that lets you concentrate entirely on programming while receiving individualized teacher assistance.
Here are some of the best coding boot camps to start your journey (hint—one of them is not like the others):
Pay special attention to Free Code Camp. While not a traditional boot camp, it offers a plethora of free online courses and tutorials, taking you step by step from start to finish with the entire JavaScript language.
Build Projects
There is a big difference between learning skills and applying them to solve problems. It doesn’t matter if you watch ten tutorials every day and can’t use those skills to solve a problem. What matters is how to use those skills.
Get your thinking wrapped around one thing: you are not learning to memorize; instead, you are learning to solve real-life problems.
One of the best ways for you to put your skills to the test is by building projects, and by “projects,” we mean loads of them. Building projects put your JavaScript skills to the test since building projects will teach you how and where to use JavaScript knowledge, which you could never grasp in theory.
And if you don’t meet the standard, that’s even better since you’ll know what and where you’re missing and can fill in the gaps rather than wasting time on topics you already understand.
As you build more projects, you will discover all the awesome things you can do with JavaScript.
Practice Regularly
Practice makes a man perfect. Similarly, practice makes a developer code effectively.
By actively practicing, we mean you spend more time coding than reading online materials or observing a course while another student codes.
Similarly, we learn football by seeing it and playing it ourselves. To learn JavaScript, we, too, must get our hands filthy by coding on our own.
Read the Documentation
Reading the documentation can be the most crucial thing you can do to improve coding. When you read the documentation, you have access to the most authentic and first-hand knowledge of a particular talent that anybody in the world can provide.
Reading Documentation can help you solve problems, identify bugs, become a better coder, learn new skills and stay up-to-date with the latest coding trends.
It can also provide you with the right methods and techniques to debug errors and the knowledge to understand the nuances of the language you’re using.
While reading documentation can be incredibly boring, it is a crucial skill to have as you progress as a web developer. Now, starting off with the documentation won’t get you far—that would be akin to reading the dictionary to learn English. Instead, consult the docs when you encounter a specific issue in your project.
It’s not Netflix and Chill
Watching a programming tutorial is different from watching Netflix. To get the most out of the course or textbook, you should code while you watch or read. Try to recreate the project without looking at the code when you’re done. If you can’t do it, try Googling the issue. Only check the code when you’ve exhausted all other options.
Taking notes and asking questions about topics you need help understanding is also essential. If you need help understanding something, feel free to pause and research the issue.
Taking the extra time to be thorough will help you understand the concepts and make it easier for you to remember them. Take your time with the tutorial and ensure you are comfortable with the concepts before you move on.
How long can it take to learn JavaScript?
Learning JavaScript can take anywhere from a few weeks to a few years, depending on your dedication and how much time you are willing to commit to it.
It could take a few months to learn the basics of JavaScript for someone entirely new to coding. You should understand variables, data types, loops, functions, and object-oriented programming well, especially if starting from scratch. Once you have those fundamentals, you can move on to more advanced topics like AJAX, jQuery, and Node.js.
For a more experienced programmer, it could take a few weeks to learn the fundamentals of JavaScript. The learning curve may be shorter if you already know a few other languages, such as C++ or Java.
It is important to remember that learning a language is a process. You should have patience and not expect to become a master overnight.
How Many Hours a Day to Learn JavasScript?
Mastering JavaScript might be complicated, but you achieve it by adopting the right attitude and commitment. If you’re shooting to become a full-stack developer quickly, you should dedicate at least a few hours daily to honing your craft.
While you can’t put an exact number on how many hours a day you should practice, you should aim to at least do a little bit each day. If you’re having trouble motivating, try working on a tiny element of your project.
The Pomodoro Technique is one of the most effective methods for ensuring your success while learning JavaScript. This method entails working in short, intense spurts of 25 minutes, followed by a 5-minute rest. You can reward yourself in that 5 minutes by eating your favorite chocolate bar.
The Pomodoro Technique has gained popularity among software engineers because it increases concentration and productivity. It will help you from being overwhelmed by the content by dividing it into digestible bits. Additionally, this strategy may assist you in making learning enjoyable by interspersing work with pauses.
Apps to learn JavaScript
One good news about living in this modern era is that you do not need to be tethered to your desk to learn something. You can start learning to code by just using your phone.
Learning JavaScript from an app can be a great way to get started and improve your skills. Several apps offer courses, tutorials, and other resources to help you learn JavaScript. A few of them include
Sololearn
SoloLearn teaches programming fundamentals interactively. The app has over a million users and provides tutorials, quizzes, and other language-learning tools.
The app also has a community of developers who can help you with your questions and advice. Additionally, the app has built-in code editors so you can practice coding immediately.
Encode
Encode provides interactive courses broken down into bite-sized lessons so you can learn at your own pace.
The app also includes practice problems and quizzes to help reinforce what you have learned. Additionally, Encode offers a personalized learning plan to help you reach your goals faster.
Mimo
Mimo provides you with challenges that help to increase your knowledge of JavaScript gradually.
The app has a gamified learning system that makes it enjoyable to learn. You can track your learning progress, unlock achievements, and compete with other learners. It also offers personalized recommendations and tips to keep you motivated.
Grasshopper
Grasshopper is one of the best apps for learning web development. It is an app designed to help you learn the fundamentals of coding with JavaScript.
It has an easy-to-use interface that makes it easy to get started and provides interactive lessons, quizzes, and coding challenges to help you learn.
The Best Youtube Channels to Learn JavaScript
YouTube is an excellent platform for learning Programming. It is because Youtube provides many tutorials, demonstrations, and advice from experienced developers in an easy-to-access and entertaining format.
Additionally, many of the videos are free, making it an accessible option for anyone interested in learning programming.
Here are five great Youtube channels to start learning JS programming fast.
1. LearnCode.academy
2. The Net Ninja
3. Web Dev Simplified
4. Code with Mosh
5. Academind
Of course, I have to plug my own YouTube channel. You’ll find a handful of helpful JavaScript and web development tutorials, along with the occasional rambling about tech.
FAQs
Can I learn javascript without java?
Yes, you can learn JavaScript without Java. JavaScript and Java are two completely different programming languages, so learning JavaScript without prior knowledge of Java is possible.
Can I learn javascript in 3 months?
Yes, you can learn the basics of JavaScript in 3 months. However, it takes years to become an expert in the language. Learning JavaScript requires dedication and hard work, and you must practice regularly.
You can start by learning the basics of the language, such as variables, data types, functions, conditionals, and loops. Then, you can move on to more advanced topics, such as object-oriented programming, React, and more.
Can I learn javascript in a month?
Although you won’t be able to master JS in one month fully. But you can make significant advancements in JS skills. Dedicating at least two to three hours daily to learning and practicing the language is recommended.
Conclusion
JavaScript is a compelling and versatile language used to build many applications. While learning JavaScript can be challenging, with the right approach and enough dedication, anyone can become an expert in the language.
By understanding basic programming concepts, using online resources, and finding a mentor or tutor, learners can gain an understanding of JavaScript quickly and easily.
Additionally, it can be helpful to practice coding regularly, join coding communities, and focus on building projects. With these tips in mind, you can become a JavaScript master in no time.
