JavaScript is the world's most popular programming language.
JavaScript is the programming language of the Web.
JavaScript is easy to learn.
This tutorial will teach you JavaScript from basic to advanced.
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Examples in Each Chapter
With our "Try it Yourself" editor, you can edit the source code and view the result.
Use the Menu
We recommend reading this tutorial, in the sequence listed in the menu.
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If you have a small screen, open the menu by clicking the top menu sign ☰.
Learn by Examples
Examples are better than 1000 words. Examples are often easier to understand than text explanations.
This tutorial supplements all explanations with clarifying "Try it Yourself" examples.
If you try all the examples, you will learn a lot about JavaScript, in a very short time!
JavaScript Examples »
Why Study JavaScript?
JavaScript is one of the 3 languages all web developers must learn:
1. HTML to define the content of web pages
2. CSS to specify the layout of web pages
3. JavaScript to program the behavior of web pages
This tutorial covers every version of JavaScript:
- The Original JavaScript ES1 ES2 ES3 [1997-1999]
- The First Main Revision ES5 [2009]
- The Second Revision ES6 [2015]
- The Yearly Additions [2016, 2017, 2018]
Learning Speed
In this tutorial, the learning speed is your choice.
Everything is up to you.
If you are struggling, take a break, or re-read the material.
Always make sure you understand all the "Try-it-Yourself" examples.
The only way to become a clever programmer is to: Practice. Practice. Practice. Code. Code. Code !
Commonly Asked Questions
- How do I get JavaScript?
- Where can I download JavaScript?
- Is JavaScript Free?
You don't have to get or download JavaScript.
JavaScript is already running in your browser on your computer, on your tablet, and on your smart-phone.
JavaScript is free to use for everyone.
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JavaScript References
W3Schools maintains a complete JavaScript reference, including all HTML and browser objects.
The reference contains examples for all properties, methods and events, and is continuously updated according to the latest web standards.
Complete JavaScript Reference »
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w3schoolsCERTIFIED.2022This page contains some examples of what JavaScript can do.
JavaScript Can Change HTML Content
One of many JavaScript HTML methods is getElementById[]
.
The example below "finds" an HTML element [with id="demo"], and changes the element content [innerHTML] to "Hello JavaScript":
Example
document.getElementById["demo"].innerHTML = "Hello JavaScript";
Try it Yourself »
JavaScript accepts both double and single quotes:
Example
document.getElementById['demo'].innerHTML = 'Hello JavaScript';
Try it Yourself »
JavaScript Can Change HTML Attribute Values
In this example JavaScript
changes the value of the src
[source] attribute of an tag:
JavaScript Can Change HTML Styles [CSS]
Changing the style of an HTML element, is a variant of changing an HTML attribute:
JavaScript Can Hide HTML Elements
Hiding HTML elements can be done by changing the display
style:
JavaScript Can Show HTML Elements
Showing hidden HTML elements can also be done by changing the display
style:
Did You Know?
JavaScript and Java are completely different languages, both in concept and design.
JavaScript was invented by Brendan Eich in 1995, and became an ECMA standard in 1997.
ECMA-262 is the official name of the standard. ECMAScript is the official name of the language.
JavaScript Versions »