JavaScript is the most popular programming language in the world, and according to a survey conducted by Stack Overflow in 2020, more than 63% of developers are using it. 

It is easy to start with, and there are many frameworks and libraries built with JavaScript. Even though at the beginning, JavaScript was only possible to run on web browsers, today, it can be run both locally and on a server. This means that it can be used for the development of complete applications – both front- and back end. 

Read on to find out what you can use JavaScript for. 

Front-end web development

Front-end development, also known as client-side development, is concerned with that part of the web page users see and interact with. 

JavaScript is one of the three main technologies for front-end development – the other two being HTML and CSS. While HTML is all about the structure and content, and CSS is about styling, JavaScript makes the page dynamic. This can be achieved in several ways: 

  • Presentation – create sliders and carousels using JavaScript libraries such as Swiper JS, Reveal JS, and Owl JS to customize the website’s presentation. 
  • Animation – using animations is a great way to make the website more attractive. Choose a library like Anime JS, Mo JS, Greensock JS, and Animate on Scroll – all these are built for JavaScript and aim to create animations easier. 
  • Single page application – you can build a SPA with JavaScript frameworks and libraries like React JS, Vue JS, Polymer JS, and Angular JS. 

Back-end Web Development

Back-end development, or server-side development, is about the part of the web page that has to do with APIs, databases, cloud services, file servers – or everything a user does not visually interact with. 

Using JavaScript for back-end development is possible thanks to runtime engine Node.js. There are different frameworks that can be used to simplify the back-end development process, such as Express JS, Fastify, and Koa. 

Game Development

Games are also possible for development with JavaScript, and depending on the complexity of the game, there are different ways to use JavaScript. 

You can use JavaScript, HTML, and CSS to build simple 2D games, and for more complex game designs, you can use a JavaScript game engine such as Babylon JS, Phaser JS, and Lime JS, which will help you make the process easier. 

Mobile App Development

JavaScript can also be used for mobile app development, and you can benefit from various frameworks and libraries. Some of these include: 

  • React Native: an open-source framework for building cross-platform native apps.
  • NativeScript: one of the most popular cross-platform frameworks that can be used for the development of native mobile apps for iOS and Android platforms. 
  • Ionic: another popular JavaScript framework that can be used for the development of hybrid apps.  

As you can see, JavaScript is a multipurpose language that can be used for many different areas of technology. And due to its popularity, you can rely on a large and active community to reach out to in case of any issues or questions you might have.