Javascript Tutor

Hello, my name is Joe and I'm going to teach you a little about Javascript. Before I do though, there are few things we have to get perfectly straight...

1) Javascript is a BIG subject and this is a basic javascript tutorial. This will not make you a javascript expert by any stretch of the imagination. This will simply introduce you to some basic concepts and quite a few simple scripts. By the time we're done, you'll have a decent grasp of the basics and you'll be ready to be kicked out of the nest and start developing your own scripts.

2) You must also move from start to finish. You can't jump around because each lesson builds on, and draws from, lessons you learned previously.

3) Know beforehand that this will be HARD WORK. Unless you've done some programming before, you won't just breeze through this tutorial (and HTML ain't programming). Be prepared to stretch your brain and persevere through some confusing and frustrating periods. Just keep plugging away... understanding and skill will come.

4) And most important, there are many exercises scattered throughout. In order to get ANY use out of this tutorial you MUST do the exercises. Again, if you skip the exercises, you will learn very little and you might as well do something else with your time.

Alrighty then, with that understood, let's get to work.

What is Javascript?
Put simply, javascript is a specialized programming language. It is a programming language whereby you can insert scripts (mini programs) into a web page using a simple text editor. It's actually capable of quite a bit.

Is it hard to learn?
Without any previous programming experience? Yes. Well, let's just say it's harder than HTML. The good news is, just like anything else, the more you practice, the better you get. You'll be happy to know that I wrote this thing with the assumption that you never did any programming before. You don't have to bring anything to the table except a little HTML knowledge...

Do I need to know HTML?
Yes. I'll be assuming you have a modest amount of HTML skill. I'll assume you can make a simple page, make links, insert images and have at least a basic understanding of forms and frames. (Also, it should go without saying that javascript should be enabled in your browser).

If you can read this, then your javascript is enabled. You're doing just fine.

And one more thing... use Notepad. Do yourself a BIG favor and don't even try to do this with Front Page or Composer or Word or anything but a text editor... or text-based editor. If you're curious, I'm using NoteTab Pro to write this tutorial and all the examples. The author also offers a freeware version, Notetab Light, that is nearly as useful and powerful as the Pro version. I VERY strongly recommend you grab yourself a copy.