Learn JavaScript Fast: 7 Key Strategies

For the ninth year in a row, JavaScript ranked as the most commonly used programming language in Stack Overflow’s latest (2021) Developer Survey, with 64.96% of respondents saying they use the language. Across the world, people learn JavaScript and add it to their arsenal every day.

Created in 1995, it has become one of the most popular languages in the world. From interactive pages and features to dynamic elements, the uses are endless. JavaScript is both a server-side and client-side language, contributing to its versatility.

JavaScript has been instrumental in building and bringing to life a variety of apps, including Netflix, Facebook, LinkedIn, Uber, Duolingo, and Candy Crash — many of the programs we use every day.

Why learn JavaScript?

Why do so many programmers want to learn JavaScript quickly? The benefits of the language are endless. It’s the language for bringing boring pages and apps to life, adding vibrancy to otherwise dull layouts. It adds dynamism to your programs. It functions even when users are offline. It’s easy to use. It also fixes problems in your browser. It’s fun to use, too!

And, at the end of the day, if you’re a developer or want to become one, it’s pretty difficult to succeed without a working knowledge of JavaScript. There’s a reason why it’s the most popular, widely-used language in the world.

7 ways to learn JavaScript fast

Ready to take the next step? Here’s how to learn JavaScript.

1. Take self-paced courses.

There is a wealth of information online, including ways to learn JavaScript and other programming languages. You’ve probably heard of free and low-cost courses, often MOOCs, offered by platforms like Codecademy, Udemy, Coursera, and the like. Many of them are worthwhile. And you can also participate in self-paced courses — again, sometimes offered through these platforms but also available via external resources.

The advantage of self-paced courses is that you can learn according to your own level of expertise and speed. You don’t have to waste time on concepts you already know, and you can take a little more time on topics that are particularly complex for you.

2. Tap into JavaScript communities.

In the first quarter of 2021, Dice published a report naming JavaScript the language with the largest developer community — comprised of 13.8 million developers. That hardly comes as a surprise, given the enormous popularity of the language.

For someone looking to learn JavaScript or improve their knowledge of the language, this is great news. Programming language communities are excellent resources. You can ask questions, troubleshoot, find different techniques, unpack other developers’ code, and much more.

JavaScript has dedicated online communities, and you can also tap into more general sites — which often have niches devoted to specific languages — like Hackernoon, Stack Overflow, and others.

3. Build real projects.

What’s the best way to learn JavaScript? Build actual projects!

It’s always better to learn by doing, even if you’re working on simple projects. This will allow you to solidify your knowledge and discover how to solve problems in real-time. Plus, you’ll be able to get a better idea of what you do and don’t know, so you can go back and fill in the gaps.

Start small — no one expects you to be a master JavaScript developer early on, and you’ll frustrate yourself if you attempt to build projects that are overly complex. Later on, you can work your way into larger-scale projects.

4. Read the documentation.

You will better grasp the JavaScript basics by reading the documentation behind the language. This accompanies the vast majority of tools, including languages and frameworks, that developers use, and it contains a wealth of information.

Not only will it offer insights that will help you master the language, but it will also allow you to familiarize yourself with the technical jargon associated with JavaScript projects and work. Moreover, it enables you to see the inner workings of the software you use every day.

5. Attend coding events.

Networking is key to your professional growth in practically any sector, and coding is no different. Meeting and mingling with other programmers will allow you to learn from people with JavaScript experience, many of whom will be eager to discuss their projects and the intricacies of the language with you. You might be surprised at how eager fellow developers are to help you and explore with you.

As you gain experience with JavaScript, you can pass it along and share your own expertise and guidance with newbie programmers, too.

6. Familiarize yourself with debugging errors.

Learn JavaScript language basics and intricacies by solving the problems you — and so many others — encounter. Programming requires problem-solving and research, and figuring out debugging strategies will exercise both of these critical skills.

You will need to gain some familiarity with how to read error messages, of course, and from there, you will be able to search for ways to resolve them on Google and via other sources. Getting used to this process will serve you well in the future because error messages are something all programmers, even the most seasoned of them, encounter, and understanding how to figure out solutions quickly will speed up the overall process.

7. Practice, practice, practice.

Of course, the key to learning javascript — and pretty much any concept or skill — is to practice over and over again. They say “practice makes perfect” for a reason.

This, as with building real projects, means you’re actually doing the work — not spending your time focusing on additional resources. It means hands-on experience. At the same time, prevent yourself from practicing around the clock because you’ll exhaust yourself. When you learn how to ride a bike, you don’t spend every waking moment pedaling, right? The same goes for learning JavaScript.

Give yourself breaks, while simultaneously committing to spending a certain amount of time on JavaScript every day. That way, you’ll keep the skill fresh.

If you’re eager to learn JavaScript fast, these strategies are the perfect foundation to get you started. And at Nearsure, we have expert developers who use a variety of tools and languages, including JavaScript, to help you and your team build appealing, user-friendly websites and apps. Find out how we can work together to create amazing things!

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