If you’re looking to level up your JavaScript skills but not sure how and where to get started, we’re here to help you. JavaScript is one of the most in-demand skills in the market today, and if you want to master it, you need to be versatile to move forward in your career.
Since 95% of the websites use JavaScript, you have tons of opportunities. If you’re planning to get a deeper understanding of this scripting language, our Reintech team is here to guide you in this. Let’s look at how you can hone your programming skills here.
Why Deep Dive into JavaScript?
Let’s look at some advantages of JavaScript before delving deeper into it.
It’s one of the easiest languages for a developer to grasp due to its flexibility. It’s easy to start and set up – JavaScript is super easy and fun to learn. It’s also easier to set up, and you don’t have to download but use it using a browser.
JavaScript uses Integrated Development Environment or IDE, making it easier to write quality code. IDE’s correct syntax errors and increases efficiency.
Has Built-in Events –
Built-in events like “OnClick” occur when users interact with the website and click an element. These events make it easier for a developer as it’s event-based programming.
What are the JavaScript Frameworks?
Some of the popular JavaScript frameworks currently are:
- React
- js
- Angular
- js
- js
Since JS makes a device responsive, it’s powerful, and frameworks are prevalent. Of all these, React is the most popular framework that uses functional programming principles. JavaScript is used for client-side and server-side programming; these frameworks make working with JS a lot easier.
8 Steps to Become a Better JS Developer
Here are eight crucial steps to better as a JavaScript developer. Whether you’re an amateur or an intermediate, following these steps can help you become a better developer as a whole.
1. Get your Basics Rights
Getting better at JavaScript starts with getting your fundamentals right. Sure, you would have learned the basics during college, but do you reallthe logic behind simple functions? Do you find it hard to rectify errors in the code? If you’re facing this issue, it means you haven’t grasped your basics yet.
That’s not a thing to worry about; you can always go back and brush up on your basics, such as loops, functions, objects and arrays, strings, and others. Nailing your basics will take you a long way to becoming a successful JavaScript developer.
You can crack any interviews with solid fundamentals. So, focus on concepts that you’re unclear of and practice.
2. Explore and Practice Coding
Once you go through the theory, immediately practice it on your laptop. When you do it practically, you understand how things work clearly. Learn to use functions well since they are the basic building blocks of programming.
With functions, you’re dividing your code into several distinct parts, so it’s easy to make changes and rectify errors if it throws errors. It’s essential to know when to break down the code into different functions, so handling errors is easier.
Make mistakes early so you know, the best and the easiest ways to come up with a solution. It’s essential to solve complex programming questions during your free time and understand the logic behind each. Watch videos on JavaScript or join online classes on weekends. Practice a lot until you get the hang of it.
3. Know HTML and CSS
HTML and CSS are pretty easy to learn as they are very straightforward. They are the foundation of any web page that you see online. Since HTML defines the structure and the overall layout of a webpage, knowing this helps understand what JavaScript can do to the web pages.
HTML and CSS add style to web pages, and JavaScript makes them responsive. So, without knowing these two, you will not know how to code with JavaScript. Along with learning the basics of JavaScript, if you don’t know HTML and CSS well enough, it will be tough to make it big as a developer.
JavaScript controls elements built using HTML and CSS, and having sound knowledge of the fundamentals would be an add-on.
4. Explore Different Frameworks
JavaScript frameworks make your work easy as a developer. Frameworks such as Angular, Node, and others are written in JavaScript, where you’ll be able to modify the functions according to your code. You need not write the entire function on your own, which makes frameworks the best.
Since all the websites have some common features, these frameworks help you build a responsive website in little time. They have routine programming features making your life a lot easier. Today’s trending frameworks are Vue.js, AngularJS, Node.js, and React.
Deep dive into the JavaScript world and explore frameworks to cut time when developing responsive websites. Knowing frameworks well will also increase your chances of getting into your dream company.
5. Learn the Basics of Object-oriented Programming
Most programming languages are based on the OOP concept or Object-Oriented Programming. Here, everything is treated as an object where functions and properties can be added. Since OOP is based on classes and objects, classes are considered the blueprints where objects are created.
For example, if you take a person as a class, attributes such as age and height are treated as objects. Knowing the very basics of Object-Oriented Programming will help you when you’re coding with JavaScript. The main aim of using an object-oriented approach is to reduce the time to code a program.
Sure, you can code without OOP. The procedural scripting language was used before, but it made the process tedious. If you wanted to modify something in your code, you had to go through the entire code and then correct it, but with an object-oriented approach, you need to make changes only in the functions, making it a lot easier.
6. Read Codes of Other Developers
As a developer, you need to be constantly upskilling yourself and learning new things. Practicing coding is excellent, but you need to know what you’re doing is right, and for that, it’s always good to get a mentor.
You can also read the codes of senior developers in the industry, try them on your own, and understand their logic. If you don’t get it right, reach out to fellow developers in the community, network, and ask questions.
It’s okay if the questions are basic and stupid; stay curious as it will help you stand out from the rest. Reading developers’ codes and implementing them during your free time can keep you ahead of the game. Everything may seem difficult initially, but once you get past that phase, you can easily spot errors in the code and quickly find solutions to complex problems.
7. Read books and watch videos
Develop the habit of reading books on programming as it helps you gain more profound knowledge on the subject. Follow developers on Stack Overflow. It keeps you updated with what’s happening in the industry currently.
Stack Overflow also gives you points if you respond to user queries and become famous, which might be a brownie point on your resume. Subscribe to newsletters, scroll over Twitter to get the latest updates, subscribe to reliable YouTube channels, and save good sources that write on JavaScript.
If you want to get better at JavaScript, you need to do the extra work and do everything it takes to master it. It’s not a skill to master within a few days or weeks; it’s something you need to be regularly doing to keep up with industry trends. As a developer, it’s essential to get into the habit of reading almost every day.
8. Error and Memory Leak Handling
Getting errors is not a bad thing, but if you’re getting errors because you’ve missed a semi-colon or comma, it’s something to worry about. Handling errors is so important when you’re coding.
When your basics are strong, you tend to make such mistakes, but with all your fundamentals right, you need to know how to rectify and clear the errors quickly. You should know which method to use to troubleshoot, and for that, you need good practice.
The same goes with handling memory leaks. If you’ve reserved more memory than necessary, the website will take more time to load, leading to visitors bouncing off. So, it’s crucial to know how to handle such errors.
You can be really good at JavaScript when you know how to code and how to troubleshoot errors in a specified time. Your value as a developer increases when you’re skilled enough at this.
Final Thoughts
Getting better at JavaScript doesn’t happen overnight, and it’s okay. Stay determined and practice every day. If you feel overwhelmed, you can reach out to senior developers or mentors in the community and get help from them. As a developer, you need to be up-to-date, brush up on your basics, and stay curious to be better with JavaScript or any programming language. If you’re looking for JavaScript developer roles, our team can help you connect with hiring managers for you.
