What Cool Things Can You Do with JavaScript?

What is JavaScript Programming Language?

JavaScript is a lightweight, interpreted, text-based, scripting language that enables developers to create and control dynamic website content, animate images, control multimedia, and so on. Over twenty years, JavaScript (JS) is being used in the programming world. All over the globe, the professionals, along with the amateurs and beginners, use it to develop and implement different projects. Besides working on serious projects, many developers wondered what fun things to do with JavaScript on a website.

It is a leader among the programming languages 😏. Because of its popularity, there are many rumors and myths about this language. Some people believe that it exists to make the web pages look more beautiful. The others think that using JavaScript, you can make both frontend and backend for your app. With the growing popularity of this programming language, many developers began to wonder what cool things to do in JavaScript.

Some programmers consider it a very slow and unpredictable language, when others find it user-friendly. To understand where the truth is and where there is nothing but a pure delusion, let us have a look at the nature of JS and the things you can do with JavaScript.

JavaScript Basics

Before you can figure out what cool things to make with JavaScript, you need to understand the basics. Any definition of JavaScript will tell you that it is a lightweight, prototype-based, multi-paradigm, client-side scripting language. JS code can be inserted into HTML pages and any of modern web browser can execute it. It adds interactivity to the web pages by allowing calculations, checking forms, adding special effects, writing interactive games, creating passwords and more. The list of the cool things to build with JavaScript is as unlimited as the imagination and ingenuity of programmers.

JavaScript is a multilevel language, which means that you do not have to learn everything about this language before using it. Starting with basics, users can master JS gradually, level by level. It can be used by the beginners to perform some basic function and by the professionals to create complicated apps.

Even though many people believe, that JavaScript is just an extension of Java, it is not true. These are the two separate languages which have many differences.

However, from the security perspective, they both cannot write to hard disk.

The advantages of using JS

So, what are the positive things about JavaScript?

• JavaScript is available in open sources. It means that you have access to different implementations of this programming language developed by the companies that actively collaborate to improve and extend JS.
• It is a flexible language, which can be used along with many others programming languages and platforms. Given the flexibility of this programming language, there are plenty of cool things to make in JavaScript.
• JS comprises considerable libraries, a unique data format (JSON), useful databases, etc. This entire staff makes JS a useful programming tool.
• For the majority of apps, JS has the engines that ensure the speed needed. For the rests, several projects in progress will resolve this problem in the nearest future.
• The fact that it is a widespread language provides easy collaboration between programmers all over the world.

Broaden your experience with JS

The wide range of the amazing things you can do with JavaScript makes it a favorite language of many programmers. Almost every project in a programming world includes at least one tiny part built with JavaScript. Such a popularity is explained by the versatility of the language. So, what is JavaScript used for?

To begin, let's look at the list of the basic things you can do with JavaScript:

1. Developing web pages. JS allows the majority of websites to interact with users in the attractive way. Different forms, choice buttons, data changes, analyzing typed information. All those things happen because of the code part, made with JavaScript. This language allows creating dynamic, interactive, user-friendly, and, at the same time, good-looking websites.
2. Creating web apps. It is difficult to imagine modern life without web applications. Tons of awesome tools such as Google Docs, Pixlr.com or even Netflix improve our everyday lives. Thanks to JS, any person with an Internet access can go online and edit pictures, watch streaming videos, or wander around the world without leaving his/her house or spending money.
3. Building web servers. It may sound strange, but the truth is that it is possible to build a web server with JS even with the basic level of proficiency. Depending on your needs and your skills, you can create a basic server or the more complicated one (framework express JS will definitely be helpful here). Moreover, this task becomes even easier with the technology that consists of database, web framework, frontend framework, and server platform (for example, MEAN stack).
4. Developing server applications. Thanks to the Node.js, it is possible to develop the whole back-end infrastructure. Since this useful function was created, many big companies started to use it actively.

As you can see, JavaScript is something more than just a tool to make a responsive webpage or a friendly interface. However, there are far more of the really cool things to code in JavaScript.

What can you make with JavaScript?

If you are a new user of JavaScript, you may be surprised by all the interesting and unusual things that you can do with this language 😎. We have prepared for you the list of top creative things to do with JavaScript.

1. Making presentations. PowerPoint is for the weak. In the new era, presentations are made with the Reveal JS libraries, basic HTML and CSS skills. Forget about boring templates and overworked animations. You can create entirely new, unique, and fascinating slides by using JavaScript.
2. Developing games. Among other cool things using JavaScript, games deserve special attention. Nowadays, browser games are essential. They are complicated, with impressive graphics, and strong engines. And they are also made with JS. High-grade strategies, shooters, racings? You can create them by yourself. All you need are some JS experience and an interesting idea to implement.
3. Mobile applications. As mobile phones have become an important part of modern society, creating mobile apps came to the fore. And, instead of creating the duplicates of all apps that exist on computers, the developers came up with the bright idea about cross-platform space. Simply speaking, it is possible to create an app that is web and mobile responsive at the same time. There are many cool JavaScript frameworks for mobile app development, such as React Native, Titanium, jQuery Mobile, Meteor and so on. Just master one of these frameworks, and you will be able to create such cool JavaScript projects as Facebook, Uber, or Skype.
4. Quadcopters control. Some of the latest drones are based on the OS that allows installing Node.js. This means that you can program the flying trajectory, speed, height fluctuations, and many other parameters by using JavaScript.
5. Digital art. The new HTML5 contains the special space to create the 3D shapes directly in a browser. Thus, the new canvas for the art emerged. It is a promising project, that has good chances to become an essential part of modern art.
6. Playing 3D games on PC. Many gamers hate being tied to their computer when playing their favorite games. Luckily, JS (Gamepad API) provides an opportunity to replace your keyboard with the controller and enjoy the same games by sitting on your comfortable couch. Not all games can be controlled by the gamepad, but the skilled programmers are working on it.
7. Running Kinect. Not so long ago, the controller that activates by sensors was only available along with Xbox 360. Now, with Kinect JS libraries, you can use it through the browser. The truth is that this field is not fully elaborated yet, and there are many restrictions. However, the first steps were made, which means that the ambitious programmers will not give up.
8. Smartwatches. JavaScript began to be used for the creation of smartwatches. Bangle.js 2 is an open, hackable, JavaScript smartwatch. This smartwatch was invented by Espruino developer Gordon Williams. Owners of Bangle.js 2 can quickly install apps from the web or develop their own using JavaScript.
9. Programming Puzzles. Online courses are undoubtedly a good way to learn the basics of JavaScript. But to consolidate what you have learned, you must constantly apply it in practice. Using programming puzzle sites is a great way to develop your programming skills. This exercise is especially useful for newcomers who are preparing for an interview.
10. Artificial Intelligence. JavaScript is a good programming language to work with AI, thanks to frameworks like TensorFlow, BrainJS, Neataptic, ConvNetJS, StdlibJS, Mind and so on. Many developers use JavaScript to do machine learning, deep learning, create fuzz testing scripts, develop A.I.-powered chatbots, and more.

It is obvious, that the capabilities of JS are impressive and go out of limits of just programming web pages. There are many hard and easy things to do using JavaScript. That is why it is reasonable to replace the question "What can you do with JavaScript?" with "What you cannot do with JS?" It is a universal language. It allows implementing the most interesting ideas, making the usual things unusual, and bringing the new life to the old projects.