Why Beginners Should Learn JavaScript

Let me be brutally honest with you: I spent way too much time picking the "perfect" first programming language. Should I learn Python? JavaScript? C#? C++? I read countless forum debates, watched YouTube videos, and probably wasted three months just deciding what to learn.

If I could go back and slap some sense into my younger self, I'd tell him: "Just start with JavaScript, you overthinking mess."

Here's why JavaScript should be your first language - and why it's probably the best decision you'll make this year.

Why JavaScript Runs the Internet

Here's a fun fact that might blow your mind: every single website you've ever visited uses JavaScript. That banking app? JavaScript. That social media site where you argue with strangers? JavaScript. Even that simple blog you read this morning? Yep, JavaScript.

While HTML gives websites their bones and CSS makes them pretty, JavaScript is what makes them actually do things. It's the difference between a beautiful statue and a living, breathing person.

I remember the first time I made a button actually do something on a webpage. It was probably the most underwhelming "Hello World" button in history, but I felt like I'd just discovered fire. That's the magic of JavaScript - you can see your code working immediately.

The Perfect Language for Your Fragile Beginner Ego

Let's face it - starting to code can be intimidating. You're going to feel stupid. A lot. I once spent four hours debugging code only to realise I'd forgotten a semicolon. Four. Hours.

But JavaScript is surprisingly forgiving for beginners, and here's why:

It Actually Looks Like English

if (user.isHungry) {
  orderPizza();
}

See? You can probably guess what that does without knowing a single thing about programming. Here's another example:

let todaysWeather = "rainy";
if (todaysWeather === "sunny") {
  console.log("Let's go to the beach!");
} else {
  console.log("Netflix and chill it is.");
}

Compare that to some other languages that look like ancient hieroglyphics had a baby with a maths textbook. JavaScript reads almost like natural language, which means you can focus on learning how to think like a programmer instead of deciphering cryptic syntax.

Let me show you how simple JavaScript can be. Here's code that changes text when you click a button:

function changeText() {
  document.getElementById("myText").innerHTML = "You clicked the button!";
}

That's it. Three lines of code, and you've created an interactive webpage. Try doing that in C++ and you'll be writing novels worth of code just to open a window.

The Internet is Your Free University

Remember when learning meant buying £200 textbooks that were outdated before they hit the shelves? Those days are dead. JavaScript has more free learning resources than you can shake a stick at:

• Mozilla Developer Network (MDN) - The holy grail. If you bookmark one thing, make it this.
• FreeCodeCamp - Free coding bootcamp that actually works
• W3Schools - Perfect for quick reference and simple examples
• YouTube - Where you'll find both brilliant tutorials and questionably helpful videos by teenagers who somehow know more than you
• Eloquent JavaScript - A great book for beginners that covers the basics and more advanced topics in a clear way.
• You Don't Know JS (1st Edition) - A deep dive into the mechanics of JavaScript.
• You Don't Know JS Yet (2nd Edition) - The latest edition of the series, updated for modern JavaScript.

The best part? You can find tutorials for almost anything you want to build. Want to make a game? There's a tutorial for that. Want to create a personal blog? There's a tutorial for that too.

I learnt JavaScript primarily from YouTube at 2 AM while eating questionable leftover pizza. It's not glamorous, but it works.

Actually, that's not entirely true - I began learning it properly when I took a course with Code Institute for Full Stack Development, juggling it alongside the joys of working full time and family responsibilities (which is a whole other level of fun).

The Community Won't Let You Fail

The JavaScript community is massive and surprisingly helpful. Stack Overflow might seem scary at first (those downvotes can sting), but it's filled with people who were exactly where you are now.

GitHub is another goldmine where you can see real code from real projects. It's like being able to peek inside a master chef's recipe book.

JavaScript is Like a Swiss Army Knife

Here's where JavaScript gets interesting. Most programming languages are like specialised tools - great for one thing, useless for everything else. JavaScript? It's the duct tape of programming languages - somehow, it works for everything.

Front-End Development: Making Websites Less Boring

This is JavaScript's original job. It makes websites interactive instead of just digital brochures from 1995.

Want to create a simple calculator? Here's how easy it is:

<!DOCTYPE html>
<html>
<head>
    <title>Simple Calculator</title>
</head>
<body>
    <!-- HTML Structure -->
    <input type="text" id="number1" placeholder="First number">
    <input type="text" id="number2" placeholder="Second number">
    <button onclick="addNumbers()">Add them up!</button>
    <p id="answer">Your answer will appear here</p>
 
    <!-- JavaScript Functionality -->
    <script>
        function addNumbers() {
            let num1 = document.getElementById("number1").value;
            let num2 = document.getElementById("number2").value;
            let result = parseInt(num1) + parseInt(num2);
            document.getElementById("answer").innerHTML = result;
        }
    </script>
</body>
</html>

Want a dropdown menu that actually drops down? JavaScript. Want to validate a form before someone submits it? JavaScript. Want to create a photo gallery that changes images when you click arrows? JavaScript handles that too.

Here's a simple example of form validation:

<!DOCTYPE html>
<html>
<head>
    <title>Form Validation</title>
</head>
<body>
    <!-- HTML Structure -->
    <input type="email" id="email" placeholder="Enter your email address">
    <button onclick="checkForm()">Check Email</button>
 
    <!-- JavaScript Functionality -->
    <script>
        function checkForm() {
            let email = document.getElementById("email").value;
            if (email.includes("@")) {
                alert("Email looks good!");
            } else {
                alert("That doesn't look like an email address.");
            }
        }
    </script>
</body>
</html>

Of course, real email validation is more complex than just checking for an "@" symbol, but this example illustrates how JavaScript can be used to add interactivity and validation to web forms.

Back-End Development: When JavaScript Got Ambitious

Then Node.js came along and JavaScript said, "Why should I only work in browsers? I want to run servers too!" And somehow, it worked. Now you can build entire applications using just JavaScript.

This means you can become a "full-stack developer" without learning multiple languages. It's like getting a two-for-one deal, except the deal actually makes sense.

Popular Frameworks That'll Make Your Life Easier

Once you know basic JavaScript, you can learn these frameworks that'll make you feel like a coding wizard:

1. React

React, developed by Facebook, is a popular JavaScript library for building user interfaces. It lets you create reusable components that simplify the development process and improve performance.

Think of React components like LEGO blocks - you build small pieces that you can then combine to create bigger, more complex structures.

2. Angular

Angular, created by Google, is a complete framework for building complex, large-scale applications. It provides a set of tools and conventions that facilitate rapid development while maintaining code consistency.

3. Node.js

Node.js is a runtime environment that allows JavaScript to run on the server side. It has led to the emergence of powerful back-end frameworks like Express.js, which simplify the development of web applications and APIs.

Here's how simple it is to create a basic Node.js server:

// Import the built-in HTTP module
const http = require('http');
 
// Create a server that responds to requests
const server = http.createServer((req, res) => {
    res.writeHead(200, { 'Content-Type': 'text/html' });
    res.end('<h1>Hello from my JavaScript server!</h1>');
});
 
// Start the server on port 3000
server.listen(3000, () => {
    console.log('Server running at http://localhost:3000/');
});

Save this as server.js, run node server.js in your terminal, and you've got a working web server written entirely in JavaScript. Pretty mad, right?

4. Next.js

Next.js is a popular framework that allows developers to build server-rendered React applications. It provides out-of-the-box support for features such as automatic code splitting, server-side rendering, and static site generation.

The Job Market Reality Check

Let me share some uncomfortable truths about the current job market:

Everyone Wants JavaScript Developers

I've been a hobbyist developer for years, and while my current role doesn't require much hands-on coding (we have a dedicated dev team for that), those JavaScript skills still come in surprisingly handy.

When our marketing department needs quick tools or prototypes to get things done, having JavaScript skills means I can whip up some Apps Script in Google Sheets to help with data processing, or create simple web tools on the fly.

But here's what really opened my eyes: while exploring the commercial job market, I've never seen demand like this. Companies are practically throwing money at people who can write decent JavaScript. Even traditional non-tech companies - think insurance firms, local businesses, healthcare providers - desperately need websites, web apps, and digital presence.

The beauty is that JavaScript skills transfer everywhere. E-commerce, startups, banks, healthcare, education - they all need people who can make websites work properly. And once you prove you can solve problems with code, doors start opening in unexpected places.

The Money is Actually Good

I hate talking about money, but let's be realistic - you probably want to pay your bills. JavaScript developers can earn solid salaries, even at entry level. You're not going to buy a yacht immediately, but you'll be comfortable enough to afford the good coffee.

Career Options

Here's something I wish someone had told me earlier: learning JavaScript doesn't lock you into web development forever. The logical thinking, problem-solving skills, and general programming concepts you learn apply to almost any tech role.

I know JavaScript developers who've moved into mobile development, data science, DevOps, and even product management. The skills are surprisingly transferable.

My Honest Advice

If you're reading this, you're probably still on the fence about learning JavaScript. Let me make it simple for you:

Just start.

When I first started learning JavaScript during my Code Institute diploma, I was completely overwhelmed by callbacks and DOM manipulation — especially while working on my AngularJS Band Site project. It was messy, frustrating, and I broke things constantly. But honestly? That's how you learn.

Stop researching the "best" language. Stop reading comparison articles (like this one, ironically). Stop waiting for the perfect moment when you'll have unlimited time and motivation.

Pick a free tutorial, open your laptop, and write some code. It'll be terrible at first. You'll make embarrassing mistakes. You might even question your life choices.

But here's the thing - every single developer you admire started exactly where you are now. The only difference between you and them is that they started.

JavaScript isn't perfect. No language is. But it's practical, in-demand, beginner-friendly, and will actually help you build things that matter.

Plus, once you know JavaScript, learning other languages becomes much easier. It's like learning to drive - the first car is the hardest, but then you can drive almost anything.

The Bottom Line

Learning JavaScript won't solve all your problems. You'll still have bad days, frustrating bugs, and moments where you wonder if you're cut out for this.

But it will give you a valuable skill, potential career options, and the satisfaction of building things that actually work. In a world where everything is becoming digital, knowing how to make websites do cool stuff isn't just useful - it's practically a superpower.

So what are you waiting for? Your future self is counting on you to stop procrastinating and start coding.

Now stop reading articles about learning JavaScript and actually go learn JavaScript.

About the Author

David Gunner (Jnr) is an SEO executive, digital marketer, and hobbyist developer with years of experience. I even hold a Full Stack Software Development Diploma. You can learn more about my journey in this blog post and you can view my diploma certificate here.

Passionate about helping beginners learn to code and sharing practical insights, knowledge, and resources.