Introduction To Javascript Scripting

Students will learn how to use JavaScript to enhance their Web pages.

Delivery method: Instructor-led, group-paced, classroom-delivery learning model with structured hands-on activitie

Target student: Students enrolling in this course should have a solid knowledge of HTML, solid knowledge of standard programming techniques, and some knowledge of object-based programming techniques.

What is JavaScript?

  • JavaScript was designed to add interactivity to HTML pages
  • JavaScript is a scripting language
  • A scripting language is a lightweight programming language
  • JavaScript is usually embedded directly into HTML pages
  • JavaScript is an interpreted language (means that scripts execute without preliminary compilation)
  • Everyone can use JavaScript without purchasing a license

Are Java and JavaScript the same?

NO!

Java and JavaScript are two completely different languages in both concept and design!

Java (developed by Sun Microsystems) is a powerful and much more complex programming language – in the same category as C and C++.

What Can JavaScript do?

  • JavaScript gives HTML designers a programming tool – HTML authors are normally not programmers, but JavaScript is a scripting language with a very simple syntax! Almost anyone can put small “snippets” of code into their HTML pages
  • JavaScript can react to events – A JavaScript can be set to execute when something happens, like when a page has finished loading or when a user clicks on an HTML element
  • JavaScript can read and write HTML elements – A JavaScript can read and change the content of an HTML element
  • JavaScript can be used to validate data – A JavaScript can be used to validate form data before it is submitted to a server. This saves the server from extra processing
  • JavaScript can be used to detect the visitor’s browser – A JavaScript can be used to detect the visitor’s browser, and – depending on the browser – load another page specifically designed for that browser
  • JavaScript can be used to create cookies – A JavaScript can be used to store and retrieve information on the visitor’s computer

Performance-based Objectives

Lesson objectives help students become comfortable with the course, and also provide a means to evaluate learning. Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

  • Understand what JavaScript is, what it can do, and how it works
  • Use JavaScript to display messages in the Netscape status bar, display the current date, and display and dynamically update the current time
  • Use JavaScript to create scrolling text banners and to create a RoloURL to access URLs from a list
  • Use JavaScript to validate then submit user-entered HTML form data
  • Use JavaScript to generate an HTML table to display a monthly calendar in its own window
  • Use JavaScript to manage the final multiframe JavaScript Central! home page

Course content

Lesson 1: Getting started with JavaScript

  • JavaScript: What is it?
  • JavaScript: What can it do?
  • JavaScript: How does it work?

Lesson 2: JavaScript scripting basics, part 1

  • Displaying messages in the Netscape status bar
  • Displaying the current date
  • Displaying and dynamically updating the current time

Lesson 3: JavaScript scripting basics, part 2

  • Creating scrolling text banners
  • Creating a RoloURL to access URLs from a list

Lesson 4: Validating user-entered data

  • Validating user-entered text data
  • Validating user-entered numeric data
  • Validating user-entered check box data
  • Enabling the Surveys Submit button

Lesson 5: Generating tables and windows

  • Generating an HTML table to display a monthly calendar
  • Displaying the current month in the calendar table
  • Enabling users to display other months
  • Displaying the calendar in its own window

Lesson 6: Managing frames

  • Laying out the final multiframe JavaScript Central! page
  • Displaying documents in windows and frames
  • Creating Back and Forward frame-history navigation buttons

Appendix A: JavaScript scripting reference

Prerequisites:

Solid knowledge of HTML, solid knowledge of standard programming techniques, some knowledge of object-based programming techniques.