JavaScript, Java and the Web ...

Let's start with a little riddle. Do you know what JavaScript and Java have in common? Music and ... the word Java. And that's about it! Besides, JavaScript was known as LiveScript 1.0 in its early days. Following Java's success it was later renamed JavaScript.

JavaScript is an interpreted language, which means that the scripts are called from within the HTML code and need a JavaScript-enabled browser to be executed.

So far so good, but what is JavaScript actually for? There is certainly no shortage of examples of how it is used on the Web and you will also find interesting applications in our lab books. To give you a brief idea: JavaScript can enable you to detect the browser used by visitors and direct them to an optimised page; display variable information such as date, time, etc.; interact with users by means of customised dialogue boxes; create dynamic menus, and so on.

Moreover, JavaScript is also often combined with other technologies or languages, such as DHTML, to build dynamic sites. So now you know: wherever the Web might lead you, you're sure to hear the name JavaScript.