JavaScript is a high-level, dynamic, untyped, and interpreted programming language that is primarily used for enhancing the interactivity and functionality of websites. Created in the early 1990s, it allows developers to implement complex features on web pages, such as interactive forms, animations, and real-time updates. JavaScript is an essential technology of the web, alongside HTML and CSS, and is supported by all modern web browsers without the need for additional plugins.
JavaScript is characterized by its prototype-based object-oriented programming paradigm and supports first-class functions, meaning functions can be assigned to variables, passed as arguments, and returned from other functions. The language runs on the client side (in the user’s browser) and, with the advent of Node.js, on the server side as well. Common use cases include web application development, server-side scripting, and even mobile app development.
With a large ecosystem of frameworks and libraries, such as React, Angular, and Vue.js, JavaScript has become a cornerstone of modern web development, enabling developers to create responsive, dynamic web applications efficiently.