Why you need to start learning Javascript today

-- Prabhas Pokharel

A. Convincing you.

B. My JS Story

C. Some tips

(1) JS is BIG.

what do you think is the top language on github?

source: githut.info

Redmonk Programming Lanugages: "Top Language"

• 2015?

• 2014?

• 2013?

(2)

Web sites -> Web Apps

(facebook, google search)

Desktop Apps -> Web Apps

(office suite, sketching, mockups)

The front-end keeps growing

Collaboration,

Instant Deployment,

Interactivity

(3) But, js is not just about the browser

Even GIS!

(//turfjs.org)

(4) JS to make mobile apps

React Native: Build native apps with JS.

(5) Libraries Galore!

2 Things JS is eating:

Data Visualization

Mapping

(6) And you know what, if you don't want to write JS, you don't have to.

Cofeescript: JS with fewer braces

Dart: "Class-based and Object-oriented" language with C-style syntax.

Clojurescript: Functional Programming Language on top of JS

Anyone still need convincing?

B. My JS Story

formhub.org

yatayat

Ona.io

yatayat

• data store, collection, sync: OSM
• our project: visualization + interactivity

demo

• hosted on github pages
• started with live API queries; later cached API results daily.
• short-lived API in node.

these days: write front-ends in cljs

(Shameless Plug: Email me and I may run v2).

C. Some tips

(Just start!)

pick a project, get started!

• make a quick prototype
• don't skip step 1
• code it up.

js learning

• javascript the good parts

• codecademy / generalassembly / tons of online-learning platforms

• jsfiddle / codepen.io: live testing

resources

• you'll need css: css-tricks.com (learn css flexbox)

• stack overflow is good, but understand the why

• if you're just copy-pasting, then what is the point?

editors

Atom and Brackets are both free. (I use brackets)

The Utility Belt

lodash.js

"Frameworks"

Backbone / Angular.JS / Ember.JS / React.JS

If you're starting, try out React.JS!

Some Caution

Main thing

• Get Started, hack on something.
• Improve (= get your code reviewed (eg, exercism.io))
• Kick ass!

Specific opportunities I see in KTM

• data viz
• web app products
• fb-integrations (fb has a javascript SDK)

• need a project?
• know this stuff, want a job?

prabhas.pokharel@gmail.com