Intro to javascript (5:2)
- 1. Introduction to Javascript March 2017 http://bit.ly/tf-intro-js
- 2. About me • Connor Ericson • Current Thinkful student
- 3. My lovely assistants • Tommy McGuire • Current Thinkful Student • Peter Kim • Program Manager
- 4. About us Thinkful prepares students for web development & data science jobs with 1-on-1 mentorship programs
- 5. Format for tonight • Basics of how the web works • Background about Javascript • Review key Javascript concepts • Practice with some challenges • Next steps
- 6. What is programming? Programming is writing instructions for a computer to execute. Programming is problem-solving.
- 7. Programming is a process 1. Defining problems 2. Finding solutions to those problems 3. Implementing those solutions in a language your computer can understand
- 8. Perception
- 9. Reality
- 10. How the web works Type a URL from a client (e.g. google.com) Browser communicates with DNS server to find IP address Browser sends an HTTP request asking for specific files Browser receives those files and renders them as a website
- 11. Clients / Servers Client (sends requests) Frontend Developer Manages what user sees Server (sends response) Backend Developer Manage what app does
- 12. Example: facebook.com HTML, CSS, & Javascript render interactive newsfeed Algorithm determines what’s in your feed Request Get data about your friends’s and their posts Open browser and navigate to facebook.com Application Logic Database Response Client Server
- 13. Brief history of Javascript • Written by Brendan Eich in 1995 for Netscape • Initial version written in 10 days • Completely unrelated to Java, but maybe named after it to draft off its popularity • Over 10 years, became default programming language for browsers • Continues to evolve under guidance of ECMA International, with input from top tech companies
- 14. Javascript is extremely popular
- 15. This makes it a good place to start • Has large community of developers, libraries and frameworks • Lots of job opportunities • Also the syntax is easier to understand for first-time developers
- 16. Are we learning frontend or backend? 100% of client-side web development is in Javascript. You can also use Javascript to write server-side code thanks to Node.js. So technically both!
- 17. Concepts we’ll cover • Variables • Data types: strings, numbers, booleans • Functions
- 18. Note on where to write you code When working as a programmer, you’ll use a text editor or an “Integrated Development Environment” (IDE). Tonight we’re using JSBin so we can skip setup, see results immediately and easily share code
- 19. Javascript variables • A variable is a name that is attached to a value — it gives us a shorthand way to refer to the value elsewhere • Helps us remember things while we’re executing a program: “managing state” • Example on JSBin: http://bit.ly/js-example-one
- 20. Examples • Declaring variable: var firstVariable; • Assigning value: firstVariable = 6; • Retrieve value: alert(firstVariable) Example on JSBin: http://bit.ly/js-example-two
- 21. Best practices for naming variables • Names should be (extra) descriptive: “numberOfCats” is better than “x” • Use camelCasing where first word starts with lower case, subsequent words are upper case • Must start variable names with a letter
- 22. What values can be assigned to a variable? • String • Number • Boolean • Also Null, Undefined, Arrays, and Objects
- 23. Introducing strings We use strings a lot. Strings are created with opening and closing quotes (either single or double): var foo = ‘bar’; var bar = “foo”;
- 24. Combining (or “concatenating”) strings Javascript lets you combine two strings by using the + operator. Let’s try it in the console! var host = “Thinkful”; var className = “Intro to Javascript”; console.log(className + “ with “ + host); => Intro to Javascript with Thinkful
- 25. Quick challenge • Open JSBin in your browser • Store your first name in one variable • Store your last name in another variable • Combine the two and log your full name
- 26. Introducing numbers The number type in Javascript is used to represent all kinds of numbers, including integers and decimals. var integerNumber = 3; var floatingPointNumber = 3.00;
- 27. Quick challenge • Open JSBin • Store two numbers in two different variables • Add the two numbers • Multiply the two numbers
- 28. Introducing booleans Boolean is just a fancy word for “true” or “false” var loggedIn = true; if (loggedIn == true) { alert(“loggedIn was set to true!”) }
- 29. Basic functions A function lets you separate your code into bite-sized pieces which you can use over again. When you write a function to use later, you are “declaring” it. When you use (or run) that function you are “calling” it.
- 30. Example Declaring a function function doSomething() { alert(“Done!”); } Calling a function doSomething();
- 31. More about basic functions • Functions can save us time because we can use them over and over code. They are like building blocks. • Functions make your code more organized and easier to read • Javascript has many built-in functions — you’ve already used a couple! • In writing less trivial programs, you’ll write many, many functions
- 32. Challenge #1 • Go to JSBin.com, make sure auto-run with Javascript isn’t selected • Declare and call this function: function myFirstFunction() { console.log(“Hello World!”); } myFirstFunction(); • Click “Run with JS” to see output in console
- 33. Challenge #2 • Open JSBin • Write a function that logs your name • Write a function that adds two numbers and logs the result • Call both functions
- 34. More advanced functions — parameters and return • We can “give” a function some values to use. We call the values we send into a function “parameters” • We can have a function give a single value back. We use a “return” statement to do that. • We define what parameters the function accepts when we declare the function. • We send the actual parameters when we call the function — we put those parameters in the parentheses. Example: addTwoNumbers(2, 3);
- 35. An example function addTwoNumbers(firstNumber, secondNumber) { return firstNumber + secondNumber; } var result = addTwoNumbers(2, 3); alert(result);
- 36. Challenge • Open JSBin • Write a function that takes your first name and your last name as two parameters • Return a string with your full name • Call that function
- 37. Learning to learn • Google is your friend! • Practice at the edge of your abilities • Ignore the hot new thing. Instead go deep with one technology
- 38. More about Thinkful • Anyone who’s committed can learn to code • 1-on-1 mentorship is the best way to learn • Flexibility matters — learn anywhere, anytime •We only make money when you get a job
- 39. Our Program You’ll learn concepts, practice with drills, and build capstone projects — all guided by a personal mentor
- 40. Web Development Syllabus • Frontend Development (HTML, CSS, Javascript) • Backend Development (Node.js) • Frontend Frameworks (React.js) • Electives (Python, Ruby, Swift, Angular, UX) • Computer Science Fundamentals • Technical interviews + Career prep
- 41. Our Mentors Mentors have, on average, 10+ years of experience
- 42. Our Results Job Titles after GraduationMonths until Employed
- 43. Special Introductory Offer • Two-week program, includes six mentor sessions for $50 • Starts with HTML/CSS/Javascript • Option to continue into full web development bootcamp • Talk to me (or email me) if you’re interested
- 44. October 2015 Questions? [email protected] schedule a call through thinkful.com