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JavaScript

Mason Embry
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Mason Embry
Full Stack JavaScript Techdegree Graduate 31,420 Points
Posted by Mason Embry
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Mason Embry
Full Stack JavaScript Techdegree Graduate 31,420 Points

JavaScript is very hard. Should I learn more before moving to jQuery?

My only previous programming experience was toying around with Basic as an 11-year-old in the 80s, so I'm sure that's part of the problem, but wow I was stumped and confused during functions, and especially objects. It was just too much info too fast. What would you recommend I do to solidify my understanding of JavaScript basics before moving on to jQuery? I know this stuff all builds on itself, so I shouldn't move forward if my understanding is incomplete. Right?

4 Answers

notf0und
notf0und
11,940 Points

Javascript can be quite confusing if you're a complete beginner. I would recommend having a good understanding of the basics before moving on, yes. Objects, specifically prototypes, took me a few days to fully understand. Rewatch the videos, do some Googling, and of course ask questions here on the forums.

A good place to get a deeper understanding of Javascript would be the Mozilla Developer Network. For example, if you're not quite understanding the "typeof" operator, you could look it up there and get an explanation.

The basics can be pretty boring, but don't worry, once you've got it, jQuery lets you have a lot more fun with Javascript.

Rasmus Willemoes Paulsen
Rasmus Willemoes Paulsen
12,436 Points
Rasmus Willemoes Paulsen
Rasmus Willemoes Paulsen
12,436 Points

I would like to know this aswell! I'm well on my way to completing the javascrip course, but I dont feel like i understand it, even 25%.

I dont know about you, but I have a very hard time learning from Jim. He speak very fast, and does not explain stuff as good as Nick does. At least thats what I think.

Mason Embry
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Mason Embry
Full Stack JavaScript Techdegree Graduate 31,420 Points
Mason Embry
.a{fill-rule:evenodd;}techdegree seal-36
Mason Embry
Full Stack JavaScript Techdegree Graduate 31,420 Points

I think Jim does move a little more quickly, but I also think that the material is just harder. It's more abstract. HTML is just marking up text. CSS is just making it look pretty. JavaScript is programming and I think it uses a different part of my brain to understand. But yeah, Jim almost seems to move at a pace that assumes I know a little more than I do.

Austin Davis
Austin Davis
23,939 Points
Austin Davis
Austin Davis
23,939 Points

Learning is a different experience for each of us and that's where the value of these courses really shine. Part of the beauty of learning here is that you can adapt to different learning styles by being able to pause, go back, restart etc. You can even pause it and read the video transcript at the bottom of the screen or download project files and review the code as he goes. Watch for any resources listed in the videos and look into them, sometimes they are listed as links just below the video. Or post questions in the forums and discuss topics. For me moving on to bigger tougher topics helped me to put it all together and make sense of it, going back and reviewing topics when needed. Use it however works best for you and your learning style.

Pia Lise Selnes
Pia Lise Selnes
22,746 Points
Pia Lise Selnes
Pia Lise Selnes
22,746 Points

I have the same conserns about both Javascript and JQuery. They are both hard to really learn and understand. I will highly recommend this book: "JavaScript & JQuery. Interactive Front End Development" by Jon Duckett, although I've just started reading. That's because I know this guy is able to make web-challenges a lot easier to understand. I've already gone through his book about HTML & CSS. It may seem odd to learn about those things reading from a book, but believe me–he puts it all together!