question and answers

Q: I've only used visual programming tools for making Web pages, can I learn JavaScript? How will knowing JavaScript make my home page better?

A: While it's true that programming in JavaScript is more similar to programming in C than using a visual programming tool, most JavaScript programming is simple enough to make it easy for the complete beginner.

In addition, the development of interfaces to JavaScript programs almost entirely involves the use of HTML and HTML forms, which can be developed in a visual environment using several HTML development tools, including Navigator Gold from Netscape.

If you learn JavaScript, you will be able to add interactivity to Web pages. For instance, if a user enters data in a form, a result can be calculated and displayed for the user. Similarly, if the user moves the mouse over a link or button, help information can be displayed in the status bar of the Navigator window.

Q: I want to add interactivity to my Web pages. Should I learn Java or JavaScript?

A: Java and JavaScript are not competitors. They are complementary programming languages which both extend the functionality of Web browsers—in this case Navigator 2.0.

You will find that Java is suited to a different set of tasks than JavaScript. For instance, a viewing tool for CAD documents would need to be developed using Java applets while an interactive HTML form could only really be developed using JavaScript.