Why Learn Javascript?

JavaScript programming is an essential skill in all front end web development. To be successful in web development, you must learn JavaScript. It is the best programming language for building interactive websites. You can also use it to build desktop and mobile apps and games. JavaScript is one of the easy to learn and use web design languages.

How Long Does It Take to Learn Javascript and Get a Job?

All aspiring web developers want to know how long it will take them to learn JavaScript and start earning. The answer to this question depends on whether you have some programming skills, or you are just a beginner. How much time you set apart for learning JavaScript programming will also affect how long it will take you.

People that are not new to the programming world take two to three weeks to learn Javascript. If you are new in programming, it will take you a couple of months to learn Javascript and start earning by doing entry-level jobs.

In this article, I will be addressing the skills you will need to acquire to become a junior Javascript front end developer and give you a realistic idea of how long it may take you to learn them. It might take you less or more time, depending on your programming experience level. People with knowledge of other languages will take less time to learn JavaScript.

To learn JavaScript and become an expert front end developer, you need a strategic approach. You need to know where to start and where to end. Many people make mistakes here. There is a lot of misinformation and confusion about where to start. I will outline the best path for better and quick results. Here are the steps to becoming a JavaScript web developer.

Steps to Becoming a Javascript Web Developer

1. Learn Vanilla Javascript

Vanilla JavaScript is plain JS without additional libraries or frameworks such as jQuery. Start with learning vanilla JS before progressing to its libraries. For you to get a job in JavaScript front end development, you need to have intermediate knowledge of how certain concepts work.

You don’t have to master all the functional programming and other aspects, but at least understand primary functions like apply, bind, and call. You can learn all the fundamentals through intermediate JavaScript in about six to nine months, depending on your programming experience. Check The Web Developer Bootcamp by Colt Steele to speed up your education. There are plenty of other JavaScript boot camps available. Visit Which is the Best Online JavaScript Bootcamp for You?. Move on to learning JavaScript libraries and frameworks after understanding complex topics such as closures and hoistings.

2. Learn Javascript Libraries

There are tens of JavaScript libraries. You only need to read those that are important to know. Some of the top JavaScript libraries to learn include:

jQuery

DOJO toolkit

Google polymer

JavaScript InfoVis toolkit

Pixi

D3

SWFObject

Three

jQuery is the most common JS library. Most JavaScript courses use jQuery. Alternatively, you can choose to learn React.js. It is an important JS library to learn for building user interfaces. It is the best for single-page web and mobile applications.

Don’t make a mistake many people make. Avoid humping to learn React before completing JavaScript vanilla only because it makes your job as a developer easy. By jumping to learning JS libraries before vanilla, you will miss learning some programming concepts that you will need to use later. Read The Complete Guide React. It is a 40 hours tutorial on how to get started with React.js and projects you can add to your portfolio.

3. Learn Relevant Javascripts Frameworks

Frameworks are more complex than libraries. Unlike libraries that will allow you to choose the methods and features you want to add to your code, in frameworks, you add your code to their unique structure. You need a solid understanding of JavaScript to use frameworks because they have their syntax, and it is upon you to adapt it.

There are many front end frameworks to learn. The best framework for you will depend on where you want to work and the projects you will be building. For web applications with many features, Ember.js is the best for you. Angular.js is the best for complex projects that require stability. Other popular frameworks include Vue, Backbone, Meteor, and Knockout. Learning frameworks will take you one to three months.

4. Back-End Web Development

Once you master JavaScript front end development, it is time to start learning back end development that includes MongoDB, Node.js, and Express.js. Node.js will allow you to run your JavaScript code on a server. Learning back-end web development will take you about a month.

After completing the web development course, start by building a project to add to your portfolio. No client will come for you if you don’t have any project in your portfolio. The best thing with learning JavaScript is that you don’t have to tarmac looking for a job. Once you have the skills, you can start working as a freelancer. Sign up in platforms for web development such as Rent A Coder, 10xManagement, and Topcoder.

