• Course Introduction

        • Time: 17 hours
        • Free Certificate
        This course is the first in a series of three short courses that will build your programming skills in the JavaScript language. JavaScript is a client-side scripting language for producing interactive content in a web browser. It is one of the most popular programming languages worldwide.

        This course is for future JavaScript developers with some HTML and CSS knowledge. If you do not have this knowledge, we recommend you review Unit 1, which discusses HTML and CSS. Then, we begin this course with a brief history of JavaScript. We then introduce programming concepts such as variables, control statements, objects, exception handling, and best practices. You will also learn about the Document Object Model or DOM, which provides the structure for dynamically displaying and manipulating elements on a webpage written in HTML using JavaScript.

        By the end of this course, you will explain and demonstrate how JavaScript is used to program the behavior of webpages as an interactive tool. You will use the concepts you learn in this introductory course in the subsequent JavaScript courses.

        • Course Syllabus

          First, read the course syllabus. Then, enroll in the course by clicking "Enroll me". Click Unit 1 to read its introduction and learning outcomes. You will then see the learning materials and instructions on how to use them.

        • Unit 1: HTML and CSS Prerequisite Overview

          JavaScript works with HTML to display dynamic and interactive web pages. This unit briefly introduces the Hypertext Markup Language (HTML5) and Cascading Style Sheets (CSS). It is not intended as an entire HTML5/CSS course but provides some of the concepts necessary to work in Introduction to JavaScript I. The HTML sections cover the structure of an HTML5 document, headings, elements, tags, and attributes. Next, read the Cascading Style Sheet (CSS) areas to learn how to add styling (such as colors, font size, and backgrounds). You can skip these sections if you are familiar with these concepts.

          Completing this unit should take you approximately 3 hours.

        • Unit 2: Introduction to JavaScript

          This unit starts with a brief history of JavaScript. Then, we will cover how JavaScript works with HTML and CSS and the options for writing, editing, and debugging JavaScript code.

          Completing this unit should take you approximately 3 hours.

        • Unit 3: Values, Variables, and Statements

          We've looked at the beginnings of JavaScript, available tools, and how to add code to a webpage. Now, it's time to start learning some of the fundamentals of the language. In JavaScript, we use containers to store data values. "Data types" can hold strings, numbers, and more, while "operators" allow you to perform simple math like a calculator. This unit introduces variables and values, including labels, data types, keywords, and operators. Next, you will write your first JavaScript statements, and we will share some best practices in writing code.

          Completing this unit should take you approximately 3 hours.

        • Unit 4: Conditional Statements and Control Flow

          In this unit, we explore JavaScript conditional statements. Conditions allow you to write code that performs actions based on different decisions. All day, we make decisions in every facet of life, and conditions allow our code to return a result based on the input of a situation, the decision, and the correct output. For example, you might create a tip calculator, and if (condition) the service was excellent, you would want to calculate a higher percentage tip. We will explore many conditional statements, including loops that repeat a condition until some parameter occurs. For example, while (condition) it is raining, I will wait to plant flowers in the garden, and then when it is not raining, I will plant flowers. 

          Completing this unit should take you approximately 2 hours.

        • Unit 5: The Basics of Functions

          This unit introduces basic function declarations or function statements. We'll cover more advanced topics in the subsequent courses. Functions perform a specific task and make your program modular, not one large chunk of code. The JavaScript language has many "built-in functions" that perform math, string, or date operations. JavaScript also allows you to develop your functions.

          Completing this unit should take you approximately 2 hours.

        • Unit 6: Objects, the DOM, and Best Practices

          This unit introduces objects. JavaScript objects and events with the HTML DOM (Document Object Model) give the programmer much POWER. DOM elements hold multiple values in properties. This unit also covers error handling and following best practices when developing programs. In addition, you will develop a small JavaScript application in the final practice exercise.

          Completing this unit should take you approximately 4 hours.

        • Course Feedback Survey

          Please take a few minutes to give us feedback about this course. We appreciate your feedback, whether you completed the whole course or even just a few resources. Your feedback will help us make our courses better, and we use your feedback each time we make updates to our courses.

          If you come across any urgent problems, email contact@saylor.org.

        • Certificate Final Exam

          Take this exam if you want to earn a free Course Completion Certificate.

          To receive a free Course Completion Certificate, you will need to earn a grade of 70% or higher on this final exam. Your grade for the exam will be calculated as soon as you complete it. If you do not pass the exam on your first try, you can take it again as many times as you want, with a 7-day waiting period between each attempt.

          Once you pass this final exam, you will be awarded a free Course Completion Certificate.