10 Key JavaScript Coding Concepts Junior Developers Should Know

JavaScript has continued it’s run (7 years!) as the most popular programming language in the world and as a result of the demand for jobs requiring JavaScript knowledge also rises. In fact, according to W3Techs, JavaScript is used as a client-side programming language on 95.2% of all websites. But what concepts of JavaScript are needed to get your foot in the door and begin your career as a Web Developer?

As LearningFuze’s Lead Instructor I work with coding boot camp students every day and have a goal of, “creating the developers I wished I could have hired”, while previously leading development teams. The list of 10 concepts below is just a few of the basics that junior developers should have in their tool belt when entering the industry. In our Full-Immersion program, I believe it is important to build a foundation with these key concepts before tackling things like React, Node, and even ES6. One of the most important things to keep in mind is that you must practice these concepts over and over as well as build them into projects.

These concepts have allowed me to help hundreds of people get into Web Development and I hope they help you too!

10) Asynchronous Communication

Also known as AJAX (Asynchronous Javascript And XML), asynchronous communication plays a key role in modern web page design and functionality. AJAX gives you the ability to dynamically load information to your web page without having to refresh the whole page. One benefit of this is that less data is being sent from the server when only a section of your page needs to change. This also enhances the user experience with faster load times and the page not blinking out every time something changes.

9) DOM creation and modification

Having the ability to create or modify elements on a web page allows you to create dynamic web pages that can change based on user interaction.

8) Loops, Loops, Loops, and more Loops

Loops are a key component to any programming language. Loops allow you to repeat blocks of code any number of required times saving you from having to write repetitive code. Loops also allow you to iterate through data structures with minimal effort. Understanding how, when and why to use loops is an essential skill for any programmer.

7) Dev Tool Debugging

All web browsers have some form of Dev Tools for debugging, even the one you are using right now. If you are using Chrome, right-click then select Inspect. This should have brought up a “panel” either at the bottom or the right side of your browser. These are the Dev Tools, and as said before, all browsers have some form of them to help developers debug their code. All the information about the page/site can be found there, including information about the HTML, CSS, and of course Javascript. Being able to utilize the Dev Tools to debug your code should be a skill you build from the very beginning.

6) Scope

Arguably one of the harder concepts to grasp for a new developer is scope. There are two main types of scope, global and local. When a variable is declared outside of any function it is considered global and can be accessed virtually anywhere within your code. A variable that is declared within a function is considered local and can only be accessed within that function. This is scope at its very basic and can quickly become far more complex, but understanding these concepts as early as possible will help build a solid foundation for you to build upon on your road to becoming a web developer.

5) Functions and Function Calls

Like loops, functions are a fundamental key programming concept that is universal across most programming languages. Functions allow you to encapsulate blocks of code that can be used at a later time by calling the function.

4) Conditional statements

Conditional statements are the base for any logic/decision making that happens within your code. If something is true to do this else do this thing. Any and all decisions made within your code will be done by some form of a conditional statement. This allows you to control what your code is doing based on different circumstances and variables.

3) Events and Event Handling

Most if not all code run by a web page is triggered by an event of some type. Some of the most common events are: on page load, on click, on hover, etc. Understanding the various events in Javascript and when they are triggered is an essential skill for any Javascript developer.

2) Reference versus Value variables and Data Types

Programming is all about data manipulation and processing. Variables are what hold that data (Remember high school algebra? x = y + 3) X and Y are variables that can represent any number. In programming, we use variables to hold data in several different formats such as numbers, strings and boolean. These are considered value variables. Another type of variables is arrays and objects which in the simplest terms are containers that hold groupings of other variables (Think of an egg carton as an array and each egg is a variable that is holding some type of data). Arrays and objects are reference variables. Understanding the difference between the different variable and data types will help you build a strong foundation on your journey to becoming a developer.

1) Traversing the DOM – Why Javascript?

Javascript is intended (originally) to help enhance the user experience on a web page and essentially add a bunch of bells and whistles. Javascript gives us the ability to dynamically change our page depending on user interaction and create a more fulfilling and meaningful experience for the user. Javascript is used today to create web-based apps and even web-based games that can be quite complex and very engaging. Javascript is a powerful tool for web developers but none of it matters if you can’t traverse the DOM. The DOM (Document Object Model) is essentially a tree-like structure that represents all the HTML elements that make up your web page. Understanding how to navigate through (traverse) the DOM using Javascript is arguably one of the most important foundational skills needed. As stated above Javascript is all about enhancing the user experience by dynamically changing the page to their wants and needs; this can’t be done if you don’t know how to access a p tag that is nested in a div with an id of main-content.

As in sports and in music, development is all about having a strong foundation and a sound understanding of the fundamentals in which to build and grow your skills. As with a building, the taller the building the deeper the foundation and so it goes if you want to take your development skills to new heights!

LearningFuze has opened the door to exciting career opportunities in major corporations for both new and experienced software developers. Check out our website to learn more about our training boot camp and courses. Train for a career as a software developer and change your life!

Also, check out these 10 Best Coding Bootcamp in Los Angeles

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