Advantages and Disadvantages of JavaScript
Javascript is a client-side scripting language is used for Frontend development, extends the functionality of websites and helps create rich web applications.
It is an object oriented programming language, has syntax that comes from C and Java languages, and uses semicolons to terminate the statements.
The language also possesses dynamic data types, operators, methods and objects. You don’t need an external program to run this technology.
Interpret the JS code after the codes are executed from the user’s browser (not directly on the server where it is located) on your web browser and it will display the results.
There are a few things you can do with JavaScript, and a few things you cannot.
What you can do:
- Create cookies
- Catching Mouse/Keyboard event
- Manage CSS styles
- Validate Data
- Manage HTML Elements/Attributes
- Give feedback to users/detect user activity
- Manage browser windows
What you cannot do:
- Access databases
- Cannot write anything to server unless it uses a server side script
- You cannot close a browser window with JS. This is possible only with opened JS windows.
Here are some key advantages of the programming language
1) A very easy language to learn
One of the major attractions of the technology is that it is quite easy to learn. Probably, because it offers a syntax that’s quite like English. Developers can easily develop a script, use the DOM model for a plethora of predefined functionalities and solve customised requirements.
2) A breeze to use
It is not only easy to earn, but this coding language is also very easy to use. The scripting language comes installed on every modern browser that you use, so you never have to go through any trouble installing it. And as it is a frontend language, you can easily run all the fun elements of the website and use it immediately to jazz up your website.
3) The pay packet is certainly attractive
The demand for skilled JS developers is on the rise, and it will continue to do. Even though this technology has been around for around 20 years or so, the demand has never flickered.
Javascript skills are always hot in the job market, and in a good number of jobs posted in the tech market, you will invariably find a demand for a developer. There has been an exponential growth for developers who know Node.js, Angular.js and Backbone.js.
4) Provides a fast user experience
The coding language is executed on the client side, so the results and processing will also be instantaneous. There is absolutely no memory hog, no consumption of server bandwidth and the processing doesn’t have to take place in the site’s web server.
5) Extends functionality to webpages
Being versatile and simple, this scripting language extends functionality to websites through third-party scripts among from several other handy features.
And its uses range from on screen visual effects to processing and calculating data on the web page. The most popular third party add on would be Greasemonkey, and you can write them yourself.
6) It is an interpreter language, not a compiler
JS is not a compiler language, but rather an interpreted language.
So it is not like C++ or Java that has to be compiled before it is run. The source code passes through a compiler, translates into byte code that the machine understands and executes.
The browser’s interpreter will read over the Javascript code, interprets each line, and runs it. Browsers contain a technology called JIT or Just in Time compilation that compiles the codes to executable bytecode before running it.
The disadvantages
Though a great language, it does have its negative sides. Let’s look at a few of those:
1) Exploit security vulnerability
Sometimes certain malicious codes are also downloaded and executed among with the Javascript code snippets, when they are added to the web pages on the server.
There are security standard that restrict the code execution by browsers, but it is important that they don’t damage, steal or destroy client side server information.
2) The rendering varies
There are different layout engines that could turn inconsistent while rendering the language, in terms of functionality and interface. The latest versions of this technology have solved the problem to an extent, but minor variations do Exist.
3) JS is sometimes interpreted differently
Another problem with the coding technology is that different browsers interpret it differently making it a little unpredictable. And quite unlike server-side scripts that always produce the same output.
Interesting web applications based on JavaScript:
Visit these websites to see the coding language in action – Code Conf, a standard conferencing website; IBM’s Design site; Know Lupus, a national organisation to learn more about lupus by the LFA or Lupus Foundation of America; The Boat, an online graphic novel based on the Nam Le’s story, Run4Tiger, a campaign site by the World Wildlife Fund Russia; Design Matters, a radio show and plenty more.
JS in the future – very bright one
Despite its disadvantages, Javascript is a very useful language, and it runs in every web browser. An application made with this technology will run on every device, since you can develop cross-platform apps easily.
Ever since its inception, the programming language’s role has expanded significantly. Primarily, client side you can use platforms like Node.js to run JS server side.
With the help of Ajax, you can easily reload positions of the web page without reloading the entire page. Example websites for JS with Ajax would be Google, Facebook and YouTube.
The coding language is more likely to use Coffeescript code, which is just 1/3 rd of the JS code in the future, because programs can be written with less code and in easily readable terms. The coding language has come a long way since its launch in 1995.
It can create web applications wherein both client side and server side logic can be written in Javascript.
The future is also very bright for developers using this technology as it is no longer a simple client side language, but a versatile and flexible programming solution that helps businesses reap benefits in a number of ways.
It also allows you to streamline workflows, thereby enabling better communication with your developers leading to more JS-based projects.
Interesting Articles:
JSSCRIPTERS write about the advantages and disadvantages of this technology
NamasteUI writes about JavaScript
Flickr.com/ Eric/ HasGeek
About the author: Reema works as Thought Leader at PHPBabu.
