Is it worth it learning Javascript?

[TheGenius]

I'm proficient in XHTML/CSS, learning PHP + MYSQL, but everytime I see some Javascript code, it gives me the chills...

However, I heard that the book "Dom Scripting" by FriendsofEd is a good book on it. So.. would it?

 

[notfred]

Not if oyu don't know how to program, no. If you just try to pick up javascript with no programming background you'll write crappy code and pull your hair out wondering why it doesn't work. Start with a different language that actually has some semblance of consistency, and after you understand that, then take on javascript.

I recommend Java or C# to start with.

 

[TheGenius]

Originally posted by: notfred
Not if oyu don't know how to program, no. If you just try to pick up javascript with no programming background you'll write crappy code and pull your hair out wondering why it doesn't work. Start with a different language that actually has some semblance of consistency, and after you understand that, then take on javascript.

I recommend Java or C# to start with.

What's the difference between C, C++, and C#? And those are for programs, correct?

 

[notfred]

Originally posted by: TheGenius

Originally posted by: notfred
Not if oyu don't know how to program, no. If you just try to pick up javascript with no programming background you'll write crappy code and pull your hair out wondering why it doesn't work. Start with a different language that actually has some semblance of consistency, and after you understand that, then take on javascript.

I recommend Java or C# to start with.

What's the difference between C, C++, and C#? And those are for programs, correct?

You not being a programmer, it's hard to describe the differences between C, C++, and C#. C is a pretty low-level language that gives you almost direct access to the hardware., and allwos you to do thigns at a very low level on the machine. C++ is essentially a lot like C, but with support for object-oriented programming and some additional features. C# is similar to C++ with a lot of the low-level C features handled automatically by the programming language so you don't have to deal with them as a programmer.

And all three languages can be used for lots of things, but C and C++ are typically used for application developemnt. C# is used for both windows-application development and web-application development.

The reason I suggested C# and Java is because they're fairly similar to JavaScript.

The reason I suggest one of these to start with is because they're a lot easier to learn. In Javascript you have to worry about different things happening in different browsers. In java or C++ you're gonig to get the same predictable response from your code, whther it does what you wanted it to, or gives you an error.

Also, handling errors in C# or Java is a LOT better than in Javascript. Javascript debuggers in browsers tend to give you the most useless errors in the world, especially in IE. Java and C# compilers tend to give you useful error messages that will actually help you fix your code.

 

[notfred]

Oh, and for the record, I first tried to learn to program in Javascript. I never got it and basically gave up. Later on I learned to program Perl, which has a much different syntax than JavaScript, but is easier to learn by far. After that I learned a bunch of other languages. I think I'm a pretty proficient programmer in Perl, C, C#, Java, PHP and JavaScript, now. When I came back to Javascript with some experience, it was MUCH easier to pick up.

 

[TheGenius]

Originally posted by: notfred
Oh, and for the record, I first tried to learn to program in Javascript. I never got it and basically gave up. Later on I learned to program Perl, which has a much different syntax than JavaScript, but is easier to learn by far. After that I learned a bunch of other languages. I think I'm a pretty proficient programmer in Perl, C, C#, Java, PHP and JavaScript, now. When I came back to Javascript with some experience, it was MUCH easier to pick up.

After learning the basics of PHP, I can see Javascript a little bit easier... But the DOM stuff.. like document.object.window[someshit].49[1 is very intimidating.

 

[notfred]

Originally posted by: TheGenius

After learning the basics of PHP, I can see Javascript a little bit easier... But the DOM stuff.. like document.object.window[someshit].49[1 is very intimidating.

It's very object oriented, which PHP really isn't so much. Java and C# are.