JavaScript Cost

You’re excited about the prospect of learning JavaScript but a bit wary of getting started because you aren’t sure exactly how much the programming language costs. Here’s some good news for you: JavaScript is open-source, meaning it’s free to use and access. Additionally, many of its libraries and frameworks are also free of cost, so you can expand how you use the language without incurring additional fees.

To code with JavaScript, you’ll need a code editor, like VS Editor, which is also free. In other words, there’s no reason to let cost be a barrier to learning how to code with JavaScript. In this post, learn more about why JavaScript’s cost, or lack thereof, makes it an incredibly accessible language to learn.

What is JavaScript?

JavaScript is a programming language that was created in 1995 by Brendan Eich. The language was originally intended to be a straightforward scripting language that could speed up input validation on websites. In recent years, JavaScript has exploded in popularity and is used for much, much more. This programming language is most commonly used for web, application, and browser-based game development. It is a foundational skill for anyone who wants to pursue a career in one of those fields.

In particular, JavaScript helps Developers add interactive components to the website, application, or game they’re working on. Part of what makes this language so popular is that it can be used on any browser. JavaScript is also free to use, making it widely accessible to anyone who wants to learn it. Similarly, the many libraries and frameworks that help make JavaScript so versatile, including React, Node.js, and Express, are also open-source.

Read more aboutwhat JavaScript isand why you should learn it.

What Can You Do with JavaScript?

Imagine visiting a website but being unable to interact with anything. Nothing moves or changes color when you hover over it, and as you scroll through the page, everything is just a static image or text. Sounds pretty boring, doesn't it?

Now, think about a website you’ve recently visited. It’s likely that as you scrolled through the page, graphics popped into view with a flourish. You may have noticed an image carousel that automatically shifted from photo to photo, or a button that changed color when you hovered over it. When you wanted to navigate to another page on the website, you clicked a hamburger menu that exposed clickable links to these pages.

All of this is made possible with JavaScript, which adds interactive elements to websites that would otherwise be entirely static. While HTML and CSS, two languages fundamental to web design, are static by design, JavaScript makes websites more responsive and engaging to viewers. This helps ensure visitors spend as much time interacting with a website’s various components as possible.

In addition to web development, individuals also use JavaScript to build mobile and web applications. In fact, popular social media sites rely upon JavaScript and its associated frameworks, like React, to build the user interfaces of their applications. Likewise, Developers use JavaScript to build browser-based games (Bejeweled, anyone?), making this language both a highly useful and enjoyable one to learn.

In-Depth Review of the Cost

JavaScript is an open-source programming language, which means anyone can access its source code and modify it however they see fit. Because of this, there are few barriers to entry to learning this language. This makes it easy for anyone who wants to learn how to code with JavaScript to do so.

JavaScript’s open-source nature also encourages a large but tightly knit community of developers. Individuals just learning to code can easily access community forums and other resources that provide valuable insights about using this language. Of course, this includes code libraries that make it easier to use the language. Additionally, JavaScript’s free nature encourages individuals to create their own libraries and frameworks to expand its already versatile list of applications.

Why Learn JavaScript?

Without JavaScript, websites would be static and boring, and visitors would have difficulty staying engaged with their content. As a result, organizations rely upon individuals with JavaScript skills to add dynamic and interactive components to their websites. Learning JavaScript is thus a prerequisite skill for anyone who wants to pursue a career in web development or application development, including roles like Full Stack Web Developer, Front End Web Developer, and Application Developer.

Another benefit of learning JavaScript is that it can expand your coding skills. If you’re already well-versed in coding with HTML and CSS, JavaScript is a great way to gain experience with an actual programming language (as opposed to a style sheet or markup language). After learning JavaScript, you can apply your knowledge to numerous industries that rely upon these front end programming skills. Learning JavaScript is also the first step in using the language’s numerous libraries and frameworks. Knowing how to use these versatile tools can make you more marketable while searching for jobs since they increase the number of ways you can use JavaScript, including using the language server-side (or back end).

Read more about why you should learn JavaScript.

Free Introductory JavaScript Course Online

Not ready to dive into an entire course? Completing a free introductory course or tutorial is a low-stakes option for individuals who aren’t positive they want to commit to a structured class. You can start learning about JavaScript with Noble’s free Intro to JavaScript seminar, which provides an overview of JavaScript and popular JavaScript libraries, the MERN stack (MongoDB, Express, React, and Node.js), and client-side versus server-side JavaScript. You might also consider exploring other popular online resources, like freeCodeCamp, Code Academy, and The Odin Project.

Additionally, YouTube offers a bounty of introductory videos about JavaScript and related skills. This can be a great way to learn more about the different career options available to those who know how to code with JavaScript. Similarly, reading articles and blog posts about the field can help you stay up-to-date with trends without a considerable time commitment. When taking this approach, the main thing to consider is to look for the most recently uploaded or posted content — this helps ensure you’re learning the most up-to-date information about JavaScript.

Of course, learning JavaScript through free intro courses and tutorials is best for individuals who enjoy learning through self-study. It’s a convenient way to pick up some new skills without a huge time or monetary commitment. However, this method of learning isn’t for everyone, and some may prefer a more structured approach, such as that provided by an online course.

Read about more free JavaScript videos and online tutorials.

Learn JavaScript with Hands-on Training at Noble Desktop

Noble Desktop offers hands-on JavaScript training opportunities that meet the needs of various learning styles and scheduling considerations. Each of its courses features small class sizes so that you can receive individualized support from Noble’s expert instructors. This is the case whether you attend a class live online or in person at the school’s Manhattan campus. Noble Desktop also provides a free retake option for anyone who wants to complete the course again within one year of completion.

Its JavaScript Programming Bootcamp provides students with a foundation in using JavaScript. In particular, this course teaches about object-oriented programming, variables, functions, and data types, among many other topics. By the end of the class, students will know how to build web applications using JavaScript and be familiar with its libraries and frameworks. Before enrolling in this class, you should be comfortable coding with HTML and CSS.

Noble’s JavaScript Development Certificate takes JavaScript learning a bit further. In this course, students practice building web applications with JavaScript and learn how to use React, Node.js, Express.js, and MongoDB to expand the versatility of this programming language. Additionally, students have the chance to apply their learning to specific projects and build up a portfolio that can be used when applying to jobs in the field.

You may also consider Noble’s Front End Web Development Certificate. This course teaches JavaScript in addition to HTML, CSS, and WordPress while providing experiential learning opportunities. Certificates at Noble Desktop also offer students individual career mentoring sessions to help them polish their resumes and portfolios, and give them tips on how to stand out in a competitive job market.