Yellow background with JavaScript "JS" logo and overlay text "Does JavaScript still matter?"

Should I Learn JavaScript? – What You NEED to Know in 2024

If you’re wondering “Should I learn JavaScript?” Don’t worry, you’re not alone.

Whether your focus is frontend or backend web developement, there are so many programming languages to consider.

You want to learn a programming language that’s widely-used within your field. One with ample references and a large user community.

But itโ€™s hard to gauge what will be relevant down the road.

Or what programming language will be most useful for creating interactive websites.

๐Ÿ”” JavaScript has entered the chat.

What is JavaScript used for?

Cycle of JavaScript animation courtesy of Martin (Chaim) Berlove

JavaScript is a dynamic programming language. It’s used to create dynamic web components. This includes interactive features like animated graphics and interactive forms. Or search boxes and videos.

It’s used in mobile and desktop application development and game development.

So why should I learn JavaScript?

For starters, JavaScript is in high demand.

You probably didn’t know that JavaScript makes up almost 95% of all client-side programming on the web. And that number continues to increase.

Did you know that JavaScript is also used server-side?

That’s right.

JavaScript is used in both frontend and backend web development.

So without JavaScript, there’s basically no web.

Try this fun exercise:

  • Download Chrome’s Toggle JavaScript extension.
  • Go to a popular site like Amazon, Netflix, or YouTube.
  • Enable the extension and turn off JavaScript.
  • Prepare to be amazed at what you can’t do.
What YouTube looks like without JavaScript

Some sites have limited access and features. And other sites you can’t use at all.

Disabling JavaScript on WalMart gives you this error message

It’s a lonely world on the web without JavaScript.


How much money can I make?

Web development is the way to future proof your programming career. So naturally, JavaScript is a pretty safe bet.

With an average salary of $78,000 for JavaScript developers, it’s a valuable programming language to learn. Plus when you learn a framework like React, that salary will continue to increase.

Great. How do I start to learn JavaScript?

We’ve gone through TONS of resources on our quest learn JavaScript.

And today’s your lucky day. We sorted through and picked 3 of our favorite methods of learning JavaScript.

We’ll show you how to get started by learning the JavaScript basics.

Then we’ll take a look at some courses that will teach you how to implement and master one of the most popular programming languages used this year.

You’ll learn JavaScript step by step with resources that expertly explain JavaScript.

This post contains affiliate links. I may receive compensation if you buy something. Read my disclosure for more details.

Fun fact: JavaScript was created by Brandon Eich in only 10 days.

A Smarter Way to Learn JavaScript

โš ๏ธ Level: Beginner

Why is programming so hard to learn? Because it’s written by programmers. They’re used to pushing instructions into a computer that immediately recognizes and understands the information.

But that’s generally not how people operate.

If we want to go from zero to hero, we need structure and guidance.

For anyone ready to start learning JavaScript, A Smarter Way to Learn JavaScript is the way to go.

You’ll learn JavaScript step by step.

Author Mark Myers uses the proven method of learning in short bursts.

For example, instead of one chapter on Objects, there are seven:

  • General
  • Properties
  • Methods
  • Constructors
  • Constructors for methods
  • Prototypes
  • Checking for properties and methods

So you simply:

1. Read a 10-minute chapter โœ“
2. Do 20 online interactive exercises to test your knowledge โœ“

And repeat.

Read a 10-Minute Chapter

By breaking JavaScript concepts down into small pieces, you’ll be able to identify areas you may not understand as well as you should. From there you can work on these problem areas until you feel confident implementing them.

excerpt from A Smarter Way to Learn JavaScript using "99 Bottles of Beer" as an example of for loops
Breaking down for loops in A Smarter Way to Learn JavaScript

With 89 chapters, you’ll learn about JavaScript concepts like:

  • variables for strings and numbers
  • math expressions
  • ifelse statements
  • arrays
  • for loops
  • arrays
  • functions
  • switch statements
  • events
  • the DOM
  • objects
  • browser control
  • form validation

And much more.

Test Your Knowledge

Applying what you just learned is a must when learning a new programming language.

And with over 1750 online interactive exercises, you’ll get the practice you need to be comfortable with various JavaScript concepts.

screen shot of JSFiddle online code editor used by A Smarter Way to Learn JavaScript
JSFiddle code playground

A Smarter Way to Learn JavaScript uses multiple learning tools:

  • JSFiddle code playground
  • drag-and-drop method
  • fill in the blanks
  • defining concepts
  • timed quizzes
screen shot of drag-and-drop coding editor exercise
Drag-and-drop interactive exercise from A Smarter Way to Learn JavaScript

By learning the same JavaScript concept in multiple ways, you’ll gain a better overall understanding of the fundamentals.

This will lay the foundation for successful retention which will stick with you throughout your programming career.

๐Ÿ’ฐ Cost: You can get A Smarter Way to Learn Javacript for under $20.

Find A Smarter Way to Learn JavaScript here.

After reading A Smarter Way to Learn JavaScript, we recommend exploring the Zero to Mastery Platform.

Why should I learn JavaScript concepts using the Zero to Mastery platform?

With over 200,000 students, Andrei Neagoie’s platform Zero to Mastery (ZTM) has helped countless programmers land their dream job. And that includes getting hired at FAANG-level companies.

Andre has worked as a Senior Software Developer in Toronto and Silicon Valley. As a result, he has the insider knowledge and experience you should expect from a programming course instructor.

And keeping up with the trends, he has 2 courses relevant to pursuing your JavaScript career.

i. The Complete Web Developer

โš ๏ธ Level: Beginner

This course is geared towards beginners, but don’t be fooled.

The Complete Web Developer is a fully immersive course. You’ll learn to code using HTML, CSS, JavaScript, React, Node.js, machine learning and more.

Think of it as a coding bootcamp. It covers beginner, intermediate and advanced levels of multiple programming topics.

data structures and objects examples from the complete web developer in 2020 zero to mastery chapter
Data Structures: Objects using JavaScript in The Complete Web Developer in

With over 34 hours of video, you’ll learn how to:

  • master beginner and advanced JavaScript topics
  • use Node.js to write server-side JavaScript
  • write React & Redux to build front end applications
  • write clean, performant and bug free code
  • work as a freelance web developer
  • create scalable applications using Express, SQL, and PostgreSQL
  • build full stack websites and applications
  • build a professional portfolio website
  • master fundamental concepts in Web Development

And you’ll build more than 10 real-world web development projects.

This really is just the beginning of what you’ll learn in this course.

Starting at point zero, you’ll gain an understanding of how the internet works. Upon the completion of the course, you’ll build an image recognition app using a machine learning API.

Smartbrain project from The Complete Web Developer in 2020 Zero to Mastery course
Image recognition app using machine learning API.

With bonus articles and access to the ZTM community, you’ll have an arsenal of resources at your fingertips. And from there, you’ll be able to tackle to Advanced JavaScript Concepts.

Note: The Complete Web Developer is updated once a month to keep content relevant.

๐Ÿ’ฐ Cost: For about $29 per month you’ll get full access to every course on the platform. And if you sign up for the $264 yearly access, you’ll save about 25%.

You can find The Complete Web Developer course here.

ii. Advanced JavaScript Concepts

โš ๏ธ Level: Intermediate

Note: This course is not for beginners. We highly recommend reading A Smarter Way to Learn JavaScript and taking The Complete Web Developer course before diving into Advanced JavaScript Concepts.

Once you’ve mastered JavaScript fundamentals, you’ll be ready for the Advanced JavaScript Concepts course.

Geared towards junior JavaScript programmers, it explains JavaScript concepts to beginner, intermediate and advanced topics.

coding example of call(), apply(), bind () in Zero to Mastery course Advanced JavaScript Concepts
call(), apply (), bind () exercise in Advanced JavaScript Concepts

With over 24 hours of video, you’ll learn:

  • advanced JavaScript practices
  • JavaScript modules
  • JavaScript engine and runtime
  • asynchronous JavaScript & event loop
  • functional programming
  • call(), apply(), bind()
  • this
  • composition vs inheritance
  • stack overflow
  • object oriented programming (OOP)
  • ECMAScript: ES6, ES7, ES8, ES9, ES10 Closures
  • JavaScript best practices

And much more.

coding JavaScript in the console inside the course Advanced JavaScript Concepts by andrei neagoie
Build Facebook in JavaScript exercise in Advanced JavaScript Concepts

Plus you’ll be able to create various personal projects that you can use in your portfolio.

And with downloadable videos, articles and access to the ZTM community, you’ll have a strong JavaScript support system.

๐Ÿ’ฐ Cost: For about $29 per month you’ll get full access to every course on the platform. And if you sign up for the $264 yearly access, you’ll save about 25%.

You can find the Advanced JavaScript Concepts course here.

Should I learn JavaScript? Conclusion

If you’re still wondering “Should I learn JavaScript?” then let me tell you: yes.

The answer is definitely yes.

Why JavaScript?

Virtually every website and web application uses JavaScript.

With these 3 resources, you’ll gain a strong comprehension of JavaScript concepts:

  • A Smarter Way to Learn JavaScript book by Mark Myers
  • The Complete Web Developer: Zero to Mastery course by Andrei Neagoie
  • Advanced JavaScript Concepts course by Andrei Neagoie

From JavaScript fundamentals to advanced JavaScript concepts, you’ll level up your skills, resume and portfolio.

If you’re ready to dive into a financially rewarding career, learning JavaScript is a step in the right direction.

Up next: AlgoExpert Just Got WAY Better (Yes, really!) – AlgoExpert Review & COUPON

  1. Why should I learn JavaScript?

    You should learn JavaScript because it’s used in almost all client-side programming on the web. It’s also frequently used in backend development. And with an average salary of $78,000 for JavaScript developers, it’s a valuable programming language to learn. There are also more job opportunities with JavaScript-based frameworks like React and Angular.

  2. How should I learn JavaScript?

    We recommend learning JavaScript using these 3 resources: 1. A Smarter Way to Learn JavaScript by Mark Myers. This book teaches you JavaScript using short 10-minute chapters. After each chapter, you take a 20-question quiz online. You fill in the blanks, drag-and-drop and use an interactive code editor to answer the questions. There are over 1750 questions in total. 2. The Complete Web Developer: Zero to Mastery course by Andrei Neagoie. With over 34 hours of video, it’s a fully immersive course. You’ll learn to code using HTML, CSS, JavaScript, React, Node.js, machine learning and more.
    Think of it as a coding bootcamp. It covers beginner, intermediate and advanced levels of multiple programming topics. 3. Advanced JavaScript Concepts course by Andrei Neagoie. With over 24 hours of video, it covers beginner, intermediate and advanced topics. It’s geared towards junior programmers who already have an understanding of JavaScript and are ready to level up.

  3. Where can I learn JavaScript concepts and JavaScript fundamentals?

    There are many places to learn JavaScript concepts and JavaScript fundamentals. But if you prefer books, A Smarter Way to Learn JavaScript by Mark Myers may be the way to go. It uses short chapters to teach JavaScript concepts, then you take an online quiz after each chapter to test your skills. If you prefer courses, Zero to Mastery offers two JavaScript-related courses: The Complete Web Developer and Advanced JavaScript Concepts. The first will teach you JavaScript fundamentals and the second will build off of those JavaScript fundamentals and introduce new JavaScript concepts.