by Michael Taylor
JavaScript is almost 29 years old (that's older than MrBeast) and almost everything we've used is built in or likely started as an application written in JS. If you were to make a family tree it would be upside down and the branches get thinner and fewer till there's only a single ancestral branch. That's how far back it goes.
Even if you don't plan on using it extensively, it's important to know the basics. Like writing school papers or even text messaging, how we read and write code develops our brains to think a certain way. The way you think in JavaScript affects how you go about doing tasks in a more flexible and manageable way, which is what it was built to do.
You Can Create Just About Anything
I'm serious, it's easier to list what you can't make with JS. What started as an easier way to display web pages for non technical people is now the bedrock for phone apps, smartwatches, and even robotics. Which is pretty amazing considering that it was built with very little thought that it would go as far as it has now.
You Can Make Games in JS
Games aren't exempt from this either. Several browser games that you probably play are built in JS. Game Engines like PixiJS and Phaser are specifically built for game development so you can start creating your dream projects right out of the box. What games you can make is up to you from the simple to the impressive, sky's the limit.
Almost 99% of Websites are JavaScript
No, you didn't misread that, JavaScript is considered the backbone of the World Wide Web (although, it's more like 98.7%). Even the websites that use a language similar to JavaScript (like TypeScript) are still using JavaScript under the hood, it's just built to be a little more convenient for their specific needs. Having a firm understanding of basic JavaScript will open hundreds or even thousands of doors.
It's Beginner Friendly
Brendan Eich, JavaScript's creator said that it was a "language for the masses." Meaning, that it was a loose, chill language to learn for beginners. If you want to make a variable named "let myName = 'My Coding Place'," you can do that. If you want myName to be "let myName = 3," you can certainly do that. If you want myName to even be "let myName = 51.367324" what's to stop you?
On top of that, all you need is basic math to get started (addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division). Making a money counter, timers, or anything requiring timed inputs are in your grasp. Plus, since it's an older language, it’s very well documented at MDN. There's a lot there, so if you find something in the wild that you don't understand in a video or anywhere else, this will be the place to go.
The World Wide Web is Changing Everyday, Start Now
The internet has gone from static web pages (pages that don't change) to allowing us to update and upload content (think any major website that everybody and your friends use). Whatever comes next, JavaScript or at least some version of it is going to be part of that next big leap.
Conclusion
JavaScript is a great beginner language that can be used to make anything and has no sign of going away anytime soon. There's almost no reason to not learn how JS if you want a better idea on how the internet and how all our software works from the inside.
Where to start
Here are some resources to get your child started. If they learn better from books or from videos, we got you covered. We would recommend your child go through most of these to get the most well rounded feel for JS. Happy Coding!
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