JavaScript is a scripting language developed by Netscape to interact directly with HTML. JavaScript is used for many client-side functions, including:
Day and date stamp: Jump-to menus: Image rollovers: Alert messages: Click here
An example of manipulating HTML is the date stamp above. It should be showing the date your computer is set to. This date exists nowhere in the HTML code of this page, but the instructions do. Your web browser is inserting the date dynamically.
The other examples show JavaScript intepreting your actions to the browser. The rollover image, for example, uses JavaScript to tell the browser when your mouse is over the image and to switch the graphic to another graphic until the mouse goes away. The jump-to menu and the alert message send instructions to the browser only when the user interacts with them. Try them! Chances are, you have seen all of these behaviors on the web. These are just a few of the behaviors you can acheive with JavaScript. See our list of JavaScript learning resources below.
JavaScript Learning Resources
JavaScript Learning Center
Learning JavaScript for beginners
www.javascriptmall.com/learn/contents.htm
PageResource.com
Beginning JavaScript tutorials
w3Schools
JavaScript tutorials
scriptsearch.com
Learn JavaScript the easy way
Webmonkey.com
Programming: JavaScript
Outfront.net
An introduction to JavaScript
WebReference
The JavaScript Diaries: Part 1
