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JavaScript Lesson 1. TBE 540. Prerequisites. Before beginning this lesson, the learner must be able to… Create a basic web page using a text editor and/or a web page editor. Edit the existing HTML code of a web page. Objectives.
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JavaScript Lesson 1 TBE 540
Prerequisites • Before beginning this lesson, the learner must be able to… • Create a basic web page using a text editor and/or a web page editor. • Edit the existing HTML code of a web page.
Objectives • The learner will be able to successfully add JavaScript code to a web page. • The JavaScript will produce a useful effect and enhance the page’s value to the user.
What is JavaScript? • JavaScript is a programming language. This means that the instructions you write in JavaScript will make something happen. • You can include it easily within the HTML code of a web page to customize the page.
What is JavaScript? • JavaScript is related to Java and C++, but it does not need to be “compiled” (translated to binary) before it is used. • JavaScript is not the same as Java.
What is JavaScript? • JavaScript code is “interpreted” - the browser executes each line of code as it is encountered. • JavaScript is free and many existing samples are available. (see TBE 540 HTML page for links)
What can you do with JavaScript? • Visit the links from Lesson 8 on the TBE 540 HTML page to see what can be done using JavaScript. (http://www.csudh.edu/fisher/tbe540/lesson8.html)
What can you do with JavaScript? • Would any of these JavaScript samples be appropriate for your web project? • Later you will learn how to add JavaScript code to your pages.
How do you add JavaScript to a web page? • If you are going to add JavaScript, it is necessary to be able to edit the HTML code of a web. • If you are using a web editor and are unsure of how to edit HTML code, check HELP in your editor.
How do you add JavaScript to a web page? • At first (maybe always) you will be simply pasting in JavaScript code copied from other sources. • Sometimes you will customize the code. • You can also type the code into your HTML.
How do you add JavaScript to a web page? • When you copy or type the code, notice where it should go. • JavaScript is most commonly placed in the <HEAD> section of a page, but there are often parts that must go elsewhere.
JavaScript - Sample • Here is an explanation of a simple use of JavaScript - asking a question and displaying an answer. • You will try this in the Fun with Buttons! exercise.
JavaScript - Sample • In this case, there will be a JavaScript function (small program) called getName() placed in the HEAD section of the HTML. • It will ask for a name and print Hi and the name.
JavaScript - Sample • Here’s what the function looks like (explanations follow): <script language="JavaScript"> var stName="XX" function getName() { stName=prompt("Please enter your name"," ") alert("Hi, " + stName) } </script>
JavaScript - Sample • The script tags are needed to identify this code as JavaScript. <script language="JavaScript"> var stName="XX" function getName() { stName=prompt("Please enter your name"," ") alert("Hi, " + stName) } </script>
JavaScript - Sample • The line beginning var sets up a variable called stName with a beginning value of XX (just to fill it up). <script language="JavaScript"> var stName="XX" function getName () { stName=prompt("Please enter your name"," ") alert("Hi, " + stName) } </script>
JavaScript - Sample • function getName() defines the name of the function (notice the two parentheses). <script language="JavaScript"> var stName="XX" function getName() { stName=prompt("Please enter your name"," ") alert("Hi, " + stName) } </script>
JavaScript - Sample • The braces { } show where the function begins and ends. <script language="JavaScript"> var stName="XX" function getName() { stName=prompt("Please enter your name"," ") alert("Hi, " + stName) } </script>
JavaScript - Sample • The line beginning stName= displays the message Please enter your name and waits for an entry, which will become the value of stName. <script language="JavaScript"> var stName="XX" function getName() { stName=prompt("Please enter your name"," ") alert("Hi, " + stName) } </script>
JavaScript - Sample • The line beginning alert displays Hi, and the value of the variable stName. <script language="JavaScript"> var stName="XX" function getName( ) { stName=prompt("Please enter your name"," ") alert("Hi, " + stName) } </script>
JavaScript - Sample • Something has to start the getName() function. • In the Fun with Buttons! exercise, it will be clicking on a graphic or a “form” button (more about forms in a later lesson).
JavaScript - Sample • To start a function, its name will be somewhere in the HTML: getName() • You will see this code in an IMG tag: onclick=“getName()” • When the graphic is clicked, the function starts.
JavaScript - Sample • You will also see this code between <FORM> and </FORM> tags: <input type="button" value="HI" onclick="getName()“> • FORMs are used to make buttons and input boxes appear on a web page.
Self Check - JS Lesson 1 • True or false - JavaScript and Java are exactly the same thing.
Self Check - JS Lesson 1 • True or false - JavaScript and Java are exactly the same thing. • False - Java must be “complied” (translated to binary) before running, while JavaScript runs automatically every time the web page is opened. Java is also much more powerful than JavaScript.
Self Check - JS Lesson 1 • JavaScript is most often found in the _____ section of the HTML code for a web page. • <HEAD> • <BODY> • <TABLE> • <LIST>
Self Check - JS Lesson 1 • JavaScript is most often found in the _____ section of the HTML code for a web page. • <HEAD> • <BODY> {may be here, too} • <TABLE> • <LIST>
Self Check - JS Lesson 1 • Which of the following is the correct way to begin JavaScript? • <SCRIPT LANGUAGE=“Javascript”> • <SCRIPT LANGUAGE=“JavaScript”> • <JAVASCRIPT> • <JavaScript>
Self Check - JS Lesson 1 • Which of the following is the correct way to begin JavaScript? • <SCRIPT LANGUAGE=“Javascript”> • <SCRIPT LANGUAGE=“JavaScript”> * • <JAVASCRIPT> • <JavaScript> * {upper and lower case must be exact}
Self Check - JS Lesson 1 • Suppose you created a function called HAPPY(). What command would activate the function? • happy() • HAPPY • HAPPY()
Self Check - JS Lesson 1 • Suppose you created a function called HAPPY(). What command would activate the function? • happy() • HAPPY • HAPPY() The name must be exactly the same, including upper and lower case. The parentheses must be included.
Self Check - JS Lesson 1 • Which of the following commands waits for input? • prompt • alert
Self Check - JS Lesson 1 • Which of the following commands waits for input? • prompt {waits for input and Return/Enter} • alert {displays message only}
Try some! • Complete the Fun with Buttons! exercise. • Go find some interesting JavaScript code and try it out. • The samples on the TBE 540 HTML page are a good place to start.