Javascript: Insight On A Newbieʻs First Two Weeks

18 Jan 2023

JavaScript?! I Only Know of C++!

I have always heard of JavaScript, alongside with Java, to be one of the most well-known and popular programming languages used by many big name companies and brands. To my understanding, it is mainly used for design and web-page uses, such as making the web-pages interactive and making it look fancy.

However, before being introduced to JavaScript, the only programming language I was ever introduced to and worked with was C++. In my opinion, C++ was quite complex to work with. C++ required such tedious code, had difficult syntax to work with, and was overall not a good introduction to coding for me. I struggled especially a lot during the beginning, but once I started to understand how to code and why my codes were not working, it got much easier! It was growing on me quickly and I appreciated the choice of a difficult introduction language.

Spoiler Alert: C++ is actually quite similar to JavaScript, which has been a huge help with my courses!

What I Have Learned and Compared

After completing a brief yet thorough introduction to JavaScript and ES6 course, they use many of the same basic syntax. Not only that, but they are very similar to C++. I personally believe that understanding and writing JavaScript code is much, much simpler and easier than C++. Though, of course, C++ is the only thing I can even compare it to, because that is all that I know. JavaScript has many shortcuts, it is more pleasing to the eye, and again, it is just so much more simple and less cluttered. It does not even require a compiler to run! Due to these reasons, I have found a huge remark that JavaScript saves tremendous time. If you can learn its shortcuts and how to simplify code, it applies even more!

JAVASCRIPT IS THE NEW BITCOIN! GET ON IT NOW!!

Just kidding. Although I believe that many and maybe even most programmers should know JavaScript and have experience with it, I do not believe it will take anyone far. At least not with just JavaScript under their hands. I believe that programmers should have a wide selection of different programming languages in order to do well and land a good, lifetime career. I really do like using JavaScript and I believe I will continue using it, even after college, but I do not think it is the strongest nor preferred language in many big companiesʻ eyes. I believe Java or Python are the real money-makers if you want to land a high-paying job. Still, I plan to continue using it, because it is just so simple and easy.

Overview of ICS 314 and Athletic Software Engineering

This may be an unpopular opinion, but I actually like it! I really do enjoy how this ICS 314 course is structured and that athletic software engineering is used. I cannot even put to words how much I stress due to this course, but I know that if I just put the work into it and keep going, I will have at least tried and hopefully passed (even if just barely). Plus, on the bright side, it feels amazing when things finally click and I get the hang of things! It brings me back to when I was first introduced to coding; because I failed so much, I learned how to NOT fail. I learned the “whyʻs” and the “howʻs” of things. I struggle a lot with the practice WODs, but I learn more each time I do them. Not only that, but I also get more efficient. I believe that practice makes perfect, and with this courseʻs structure and style of learning, there will always be room for improvement. Therefore, I can firmly say that it will work for me.