Learn JavaScript as a Total Beginner

Stanley Ogada
4 min readDec 10, 2020

Learn JavaScript the right way as a beginner.

Learning efficiently is like learning fast but in a better way, because like it or not only advanced programmers can be able to pick up a new programming language and learn it fast. your main target should be to learn JavaScript(js) the right way to write elegant code more efficiently.

There’re various factors/sections guiding this article, read all, to get the most out of it.

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Do you really need to learn JavaScript?

Picking up JavaScript programming language is not really a hard thing to do, but knowing if you’ll need it could be. For example, if you really want to specialize in Machine Learning, go for Python instead.

It’s true the JavaScript community has grown to an extent, i.e., it can do well in a lot of areas but like or not, where JavaScript really shines is the Web (although frameworks like React-Native, etc. have made Mobile app development possible with JavaScript).

So if you’re are new to programming and software development and you choose Web development, then JavaScript is best for you, no doubt is the language of the Web.

And it is possible to transition from building web apps to mobile apps with the help of open-source libraries such as React-Native, etc.

You should focus your aim

You’ve probably heard a lot of people with lots of opinions on how many programming languages they use, or frameworks and libraries.

Most of the time, you lose focus on what to learn. This will not help issues, it only makes programming and software development worst for you as a beginner. Keep in mind that you have to start from somewhere and not to rush things.

You need to spend at least 3months to get familiar with all the APIs you’ll need in JavaScript, instead of you trying to jump from one language to another.

JavaScript continues to grow in its community, so understanding the language will make you write programs with JavaScript more efficiently.

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How exactly you need to learn JavaScript?

You reached this section means, you’re probably really interested in JavaScript.

Now that you really know why you want to learn JavaScript, you’ll also need some guides on how to learn it.

First of all, I’ll recommend you read a book for beginners, but if you don’t like books, that's totally ok. Go to the Mozilla Developer Network as often as possible, this platform will help you learn any API you’re not too sure about more better. For example, if you don’t understand the Date API, just go to the Mozilla Developer Network official website.

To boost your productivity even better you should sign up for FreeCodeCamp, it’s filled up with lots of interesting challenges. With challenges, you be not only better in JS but also with solving problems in programming as a whole.

Don’t jump from one free small tutorial to another, not only is this method slow, but it’s also not efficient. Believe me, you’re going to struggle and find it extremely difficult to learn JS (only take this method only if you know what you want, but don’t over).

Instead, you should go for paid courses as they help you focus your aim and help you learn in a better way. There’s a lot of platforms from which you can purchase courses with great content.

Don’t fall into the trap of working your way through online courses without taking any notes. It’s a bad idea. Not only does note-taking give you something to look back on when you need to revise, but taking detailed notes can help you learn better and can help reinforce new ideas and concepts. Taking notes is learning twice immediately

Conclusion

Learning JS is fun. It can also be complicated, when if you jump straight into it without having to do some research.

Make sure you have a plan, and a road-map, in the long they will save you from wasting learning technologies that will not be useful or no longer in the market.

The most convenient way to learn JavaScript for beginners is via an online course. Get engage with things like JavaScript syntax reference guides and online forums.

Create time to study and practice at 1 to 2 hours, at most 5 to 15 hours every day. Always try to build projects and solve challenges. It doesn’t have to be tough ones though. Above all, have fun!

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Stanley Ogada

Dedicated front-end developer with 5 years of experience building intuitive, user-friendly websites. 🚀 I’m open to Remote opportunities 🚀