Don’t Jump to a Framework Without Understanding These Concepts
JavaScript, with all its versatility, is one of the most popular and powerful programming languages in the world today. Personally, I feel like it gave me “superpowers” in development—but not without challenges. When I first started, I was eager to solve problems as quickly as possible, which led me to skip some foundational steps. Over time, I realized that understanding JavaScript’s fundamentals goes far beyond quick problem-solving. Mastering the basics of JavaScript is crucial, especially when you’re ready to dive into frameworks.
So, What is JavaScript? According to Mozilla’s documentation, JavaScript is a lightweight, interpreted, and object-oriented programming language with first-class functions. Known as the scripting language for web pages, it’s also widely used in many non-browser environments. JavaScript has the flexibility to act as both a procedural and an object-oriented language, allowing it to serve a wide range of applications.
In the beginning, I often asked, “How much JavaScript do I need to know before jumping into a framework?” After talking with more experienced developers, the answer became clear: mastering some core concepts is essential before diving into frameworks. Here are the ones I consider indispensable.
Document Object Model (DOM) The DOM (Document Object Model) is a structure that links web pages to scripts, turning a page’s HTML into a "tree" of elements. Each part of the HTML—like headers, paragraphs, and buttons—is turned into an object, which the browser organizes hierarchically. Understanding the DOM is crucial for manipulating page elements, responding to user events, and building dynamic interactions. Without a grasp of the DOM, working with a page’s behavior in frameworks can become confusing.
Functions Functions are fundamental building blocks in JavaScript. A function is a set of instructions that performs a specific task or calculates a value. Using functions lets us reuse code, which saves time and keeps our work more organized. When we define a function to perform a single task, we can call it anywhere in the code. This approach not only makes the code easier to manage but also keeps it understandable, especially as the application grows.
Arrays and Their Methods Arrays are data structures that store lists of values. We can access each item individually and manipulate data in various ways, such as by looping through the list. Arrays are commonly used for storing information, like product lists or prices. Mastering array methods, such as map, filter, reduce, forEach, and find, is essential for handling data effectively and avoiding unnecessary loops. These methods make it much easier to transform and filter lists.
Conclusion These are, in my opinion, the most important concepts for anyone who wants to start working with JavaScript frameworks. Of course, there are other valuable topics, but these four are the ones that make the biggest difference. Understanding these basics makes transitioning to frameworks much more intuitive and minimizes the chances of feeling lost while working with new tools.
