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The web development landscape is evolving at lightning speed. As online experiences become more sophisticated, JavaScript has emerged as one of the most important programming languages powering the modern web. However, for those just getting started, the JavaScript ecosystem can seem overwhelming with so many new frameworks, libraries and tools popping up regularly.
In this blog post we aim to simplify things and act as your guide to understanding JavaScript development services. We'll cover everything from the basics of JavaScript to how it's used on the frontend and backend. You'll also learn about major JavaScript frameworks like React and Node.js. Finally, we'll explain how partnering with an experienced provider like Practical Solutions Inc. (PSI) can help get your projects off the ground smoothly.
What is JavaScript?
At its core, JavaScript is a scripting language that adds interactivity to static HTML pages. It was originally created by Brendan Eich at Netscape in 1995 to help bring dynamics and behaviours to otherwise boring websites.
While its name may suggest a relation to Java, the two are actually unrelated and JavaScript is considered a completely separate language. It works by embedding JavaScript code directly into HTML pages or linking to .js files from tags. The browser then executes the code to manipulate page content and respond to user inputs.
JavaScript powers nearly all dynamic client-side behaviours like form validation, widget interactions, animations and more. It also serves as the backbone of modern frontend frameworks like React, Angular and Vue.js that allow building highly feature-rich single page applications (SPAs).
In addition, the rise of Node.js several years ago enabled JavaScript to be utilized for server-side programming as well. Now JavaScript powers both Front-End Development and backend systems seamlessly.
This ability to span full web development stacks is a big factor in JavaScript's dominance today. Whether enhancing existing pages or developing SPAs from scratch, it provides a single language approach across the board.
Now let's unpack some key points about how JavaScript works.
JavaScript Fundamentals
JavaScript code runs within the web browsers on client machines, not directly on servers. Browsers include JavaScript engines that parse and execute the code line by line. Popular engines include V8 by Google Chrome and SpiderMonkey by Firefox.
JavaScript is a loosely typed, prototype-based language with first-class functions. It supports object-oriented programming with object prototypes but does not fully implement OOP principles like classes.
DOM Manipulation
The Document Object Model or DOM represents the HTML page and exposes nodes that can be directly accessed and manipulated using JavaScript. Common tasks involve traversing nodes, adding/removing elements, styling elements, responding to events etc.
This allows dynamically injecting and modifying content after page load. These changes appear directly on the live page without page reloads.
JavaScript Events & Callbacks
Events trigger JavaScript functions, also known as callbacks or event handler functions, to react to user interactions or trigger asynchronous operations.
For example, onclick calls a function on click, on submit validates a form before submission etc. Common events include click, mouseover, submit, load etc.
These allow running code conditionally based on user-initiated or system triggered events during runtime. This forms the basis of interactive behaviours.
Asynchronous JavaScript
JavaScript runs asynchronously by design for non-blocking behaviour. Instead of waiting for long-running tasks, code is split and scheduled across multiple ticks of the JavaScript engine event loop.
Examples of asynchronous operations include fetching data from servers via XML Http Request (better known as fetch API today), async/await functions, Promises, timers etc.
Asynchronous code is organized using callbacks, Promises and async/await syntax to avoid callback hell and make asynchronous logic easier to reason about.
Major JavaScript Frameworks
While vanilla JavaScript is sufficient for simple pages, large-scale web applications require robust frameworks for scalable code organization. Let's look at two of the most prominent.
React:
React is a component based Front-End Development by Facebook. It introduces the concept of reusable UI components with data flowing one way to avoid complexities.
React allows building entire apps as a composition of small reusable pieces called components that receive data and describe HTML views. This modularity boosts code manageability for large projects.
Some key React features:
• Declarative code with JSX syntax
• Virtual DOM for efficient view updates
• Unidirectional data flow with Flux architecture
• Built-in routing with React Router
• Large ecosystem of plugins and integrations
React is great for complex UIs, high traffic sites and scalable applications. Leveraging its component architecture allows smooth development of fast, interactive UIs.
Node.js:
Node.js is a JavaScript runtime environment that allows building Back-End Development with JavaScript. It uses non-blocking I/O model for scalability.
Some common Node.js uses:
• Building high performance real-time web apps
• Developing APIs and microservices
• Streaming and processing large amounts of data
• Automation tools and dev environments
Popular Node.js frameworks include Express for building RESTful APIs and SvelteKit for fullstack SPA development. MongoDB, MySQL etc provide database integration.
Node.js is ideal for real-time apps due to its asynchronous and event-driven nature. Combined with frontend frameworks, it enables full stack JavaScript development.
Key Tools and Libraries
The vibrant JavaScript ecosystem offers countless integrations for common tasks. Here are some prominent ones:
• npm - Package manager for installation and dependency management. Stores code modules that can be easily included.
• Webpack - Bundles assets and optimizes code for production. Transforms and bundles code for the browser.
• Babel - Compiler that converts newer ESnext JavaScript syntax into backwards compatible ES5 code.
• Axios - Promise based HTTP client for making API requests from browser or Node.js.
• Lodash - Utility library for common functions like array/objects manipulation, numbers, etc.
• Moment.js - Date and time library for parsing, manipulating, displaying dates.
• React Testing Library - Utilities to test React components in isolation without dependencies.
• Jest - JavaScript testing framework commonly used with React and Node.js projects.
Choosing a JavaScript Partner
Now that you understand the landscape, let's talk about choosing the right partner for JavaScript development projects. While taking it on yourself is an option, relying on experts often brings better results. A professional team resolves many potential issues:
• JavaScript Frameworks Expertise: Specialists deeply understand JavaScript best practices, frameworks and tooling. They keep up with latest changes.
• Methodologies: Proven processes like Agile keep initiatives aligned and on track for success using proper estimation, planning, testing etc.
• Higher quality: Skilled developers write optimized, scalable, secure and well-documented code meeting industry standards.
• Timelines: Large projects require coordination across multiple resources to complete on time while maintaining quality.
• Tech support: Best providers offer ongoing support to address bugs, upgrade systems or make enhancements post-delivery.
One such leading option is Practical Solutions Inc. aka PSI. As a premium JavaScript development company, here are some key reasons why they are a top choice:
Proven Methodology
Well defined Agile processes, JavaScript Frameworks Expertise in specifications, architecture, modularization planning help maximize quality and efficiency through iterations.
Expertise in Latest Tools
Developers are current with trends, trained on industry-leading techniques like React, Node.js, Vue.js, serverless, automated testing etc.
Round-the-clock Support
From initial consultations to post-release optimizations, PSI acts as an extension of your team through solid SLAs and global delivery model.
Scalability
PSI scales up according to demand offering flexible staffing models from individual engineers to multi-member dedicated pods.
Cost Effectiveness
Use of proven shared components, collaborative practices and offshore delivery helps meet budgets with premium quality service.
Modern JavaScript in Practice
Now that you understand the fundamental concepts, let's explore practical examples of JavaScript in action:
1. Single Page Applications (SPAs)
Real-world SPAs use JavaScript frameworks on the frontend to deliver app-like experiences without page reloads.
For example, Gmail uses React for its UI with routes for different mail actions rendered dynamically. Social networks employ Vue.js or Angular for fluid feeds, profiles and messaging.
E-commerce giants build complex catalogue browsing with granular filtering entirely in JavaScript. On initial load, a minimal HTML shell loads along with heavy JavaScript for all subsequent interactivity.
2. APIs & Microservices
Node.js powers lightweight granular APIs and microservices which can then be composed to form full systems.
For instance, an e-commerce site may have separate JavaScript development services for products, orders, inventory, authentication etc. JavaScript code handles data flows between these decoupled units.
3. Back-End Development Systems
Many full-blown multi-tenant SaaS products are completely built on JavaScript Services for task automation, content management, banking etc are Node.js driven.
For example, website builders like Wix use JavaScript at all levels - frontend framework, backend services, dev platform, editor etc for seamless experience.
4. Real-time Features
JavaScript enables advanced real-time functionality across domains like chat, gaming, IoT, audio-video etc.
Live news/sports sites use technologies like Socket.IO on top of Node.js for real-time scoring, comments and viewing parties. Games rely on JavaScript for highly responsive multiplayer experiences.
Conclusion
We provided an overview of the fundamentals of JavaScript development and some of the key JavaScript development services that businesses require when looking to build interactive web applications. While learning JavaScript takes time and practice, partnering with an experienced firm can help simplify the process. At Practical Solutions, Inc. (PSI), our expert team of JavaScript developers understands the challenges startups and established companies face when bringing new ideas to life online.
Through agile methodologies and a focus on collaboration, we ensure projects are delivered on-time and on-budget. Our mission is to empower visionary founders and business leaders to focus on their core work while we handle all technical aspects of development. If you're ready to take your digital dreams from concept to launched product, contact PSI to discuss how we can help.
