Question on JavaScript as a programming language

[John]

Hello,

I was thinking of trying out JavaScript and learn it on my own.

I had a few questions though.

Is it still popular with businesses today?

Is JavaScript bad for search engine opt. (SEO)?

Any other help would be appreciated.

I have tried som PHP stuff and now want to move on to something else.

 

[David Mark]

Hello,

I was thinking of trying out JavaScript and learn it on my own.

I had a few questions though.

Is it still popular with businesses today?

More popular than ever.

Is JavaScript bad for search engine opt. (SEO)?

Depends on how you use it.

Any other help would be appreciated.

I have tried som PHP stuff and now want to move on to something else.

Client side script does not replace server side script. The two
typically work together.

 

[Thomas 'PointedEars' Lahn]

Is it still popular with businesses today?
Apparently.

Is JavaScript bad for search engine opt. (SEO)?

Not if used properly.

Any other help would be appreciated.

http://jibbering.com/faq/ pp.

I have tried som PHP stuff and now want to move on to something else.

Good luck.


PointedEars

 

[Evertjan.]

David Mark wrote on 28 okt 2007 in comp.lang.javascript:

Client side script does not replace server side script. The two
typically work together.

Javascript does not mean clientside javascript per see.

If the OP wants to use Javascript as an alternative for PHP,
trying ASP-jscript is a good choice,
especially so if the OP does not mind moving
to a Windows environment for his servers.

 

[David Mark]

David Mark wrote on 28 okt 2007 in comp.lang.javascript:



Javascript does not mean clientside javascript per see.

Right.

If the OP wants to use Javascript as an alternative for PHP,
trying ASP-jscript is a good choice,

I agree. I beats API-VBScript or ASP.NET any day.

 

[David Mark]

I agree. I beats API-VBScript or ASP.NET any day.

Oops. That should read "ASP-VBScript."

 

[John]

Thanks to everyone who replied and to the person who gave the link
that's very helpful.

 

[Peter Michaux]

Hello,

I was thinking of trying out JavaScript and learn it on my own.

I had a few questions though.

Is it still popular with businesses today?

Is JavaScript bad for search engine opt. (SEO)?

Any other help would be appreciated.

I have tried som PHP stuff and now want to move on to something else.

The subject of your post is "Question on JavaScript as a programming
language" which is great as it focuses on the language alone without a
particular application. However if you then ask "Is it still popular
with businesses today?" this implies you have a practical application
in mind. Do you want to learn JavaScript for browser scripting or for
learning a functional/OOP language as an experiement.

Here are some links that may help you learning about JavaScript and
browser scripting.


SPECIFICATIONS

HTML & CSS Specs
http://www.w3.org/TR/html4/
http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-CSS2/

Print and bind a copy of the ECMAScript standard when you feel ready
http://www.ecma-international.org/publications/standards/Ecma-262.htm

VALIDATION

Always make sure your HTML and CSS validate. JavaScript is tough if
the HTML doesn't validate.
http://validator.w3.org/
http://jigsaw.w3.org/css-validator/

A JavaScript syntax checker that will help you find bugs in some cases
and follow Douglas Crockford's ideas of best practices. You can break
the rules once you know why it's ok.
http://www.jslint.com/

REFERENCES

The only HTML reference I really ever use.
http://w3schools.com/tags/default.asp

Eric Meyer's "CSS: The Definitive Guide" (O'Reilly) is very good.
http://meyerweb.com/

David Flangan's "JavaScript: The Definitive Guide" (O'Reilly) is the
best single reference book for JavaScript and browser scripting (but
check the errata on the O'Reilly site and the comp.lang.javascript
regulars will debate the quality of this book to the end of time.)
http://www.davidflanagan.com/

ONLINE COMMUNITY

Usenet's comp.lang.javascript newsgroup and it's archives are the very
best resources for discussing and learning the details of JavaScript
and it's use. The surly regulars will not put up with crap quality
code and will let you know if yours is. Its rough going at times but
don't get scared off.
http://groups.google.com/group/comp.lang.javascript

comp.lang.javascript faq and it's notes
http://www.jibbering.com/faq/
http://www.jibbering.com/faq/faq_notes/

PERSONAL SITES

Some people's personal websites about JavaScript
http://www.litotes.demon.co.uk/
http://www.javascripttoolbox.com/
http://www.quirksmode.org/ (some good stuff but some weird stuff)

Although simulated class-based inheritance is not always the best
thing to do in JavaScript, this is definitely the best link I have
ever found about it. Until you find a way to give up on simulating
class-based inheritance in JavaScript this can help.
http://kevlindev.com/tutorials/javascript/inheritance/index.htm

AN IMPORTANT TIP

XHTML is no good for the general web for many reasons. Two reasons are
Internet Explorer - the most popular browser - is an HTML-only browser
and Safari can stop parsing XHTML if it invalid. HTML 4.01
transitional is the most general purpose doctype (because of iframe
hacks.)

http://www.thewebcreator.net/2007/04/16/why-you-should-be-using-html-401-instead-of-xhtml/
http://www.webdevout.net/articles/beware-of-xhtml


Peter