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Ask HN: Why all the good stuff happens in JavaScript?

7 points by jozi9 12y ago

I see people started using it as a general purpose language when building cool stuff?

dmarg 12y ago
Just so you know, I am recent graduate from the Fullstack Academy (http://www.fullstackacademy.com/ http://www.fullstackacademy.com/) bootcamp which focuses on the MEAN stack (JavaScript only stack). I did decide to go to a JavaScript focused bootcamp because of the fact that I would be using the same language (JavaScript) on the front end, back end and in the database. I believe this allowed me to help learn the principles of web development better since I did not have to learn anything else like (ruby, python, or php lets say). So I found it nice that I am using the same language on the front, back and in the database which maybe why there are a lot of people using it. However, with that being said, I think that there is a lot of "good stuff" happening around the whole web development landscape and not just with JavaScript.
MalcolmDiggs 12y ago
There's exciting stuff happening in all languages. Right now javascript is fashionable in certain highly-visible development communities (like the open-source community, for example). That doesn't mean it's the most popular language, or that it's the right choice for your project. The other factor is that browsers (for mostly historical reasons) only widely support javascript natively. So naturally, most front-end frameworks will be javascript based.
zerr 12y ago
JS has visibility, but eventually, what js apps you use regularly? For me, it is none.
- kttmrt 12y ago
  Do you use gmail? any other webapps? Those are heavy JS, even if not 100% JS.
  - zerr 12y ago
    Nope. I use gmail exclusively as POP3/SMTP server. I can't imagine why someone would prefer using gmail web interface over some powerful desktop e-mail client (The Bat!, Thunderbird, Claws...).
- timmm 12y ago
  Fair point about apps but websites are becoming more and more javascript centric.
  - zerr 12y ago
    Agree, for me most JS usage comes from things such as HN upvote arrow clicking, etc... and html5 youtube, yes.. but I think flash version was better ;) Anyway, these are examples of content consumption - news, videos, etc...
thewarrior 12y ago
Good marketing + Low Barrier to Entry.

7 points by jozi9 12y ago

I see people started using it as a general purpose language when building cool stuff?

dmarg 12y ago

Just so you know, I am recent graduate from the Fullstack Academy (http://www.fullstackacademy.com/ http://www.fullstackacademy.com/) bootcamp which focuses on the MEAN stack (JavaScript only stack). I did decide to go to a JavaScript focused bootcamp because of the fact that I would be using the same language (JavaScript) on the front end, back end and in the database. I believe this allowed me to help learn the principles of web development better since I did not have to learn anything else like (ruby, python, or php lets say). So I found it nice that I am using the same language on the front, back and in the database which maybe why there are a lot of people using it. However, with that being said, I think that there is a lot of "good stuff" happening around the whole web development landscape and not just with JavaScript.

MalcolmDiggs 12y ago

There's exciting stuff happening in all languages. Right now javascript is fashionable in certain highly-visible development communities (like the open-source community, for example). That doesn't mean it's the most popular language, or that it's the right choice for your project. The other factor is that browsers (for mostly historical reasons) only widely support javascript natively. So naturally, most front-end frameworks will be javascript based.

zerr 12y ago

JS has visibility, but eventually, what js apps you use regularly? For me, it is none.

kttmrt 12y ago
Do you use gmail? any other webapps? Those are heavy JS, even if not 100% JS.
- zerr 12y ago
  Nope. I use gmail exclusively as POP3/SMTP server. I can't imagine why someone would prefer using gmail web interface over some powerful desktop e-mail client (The Bat!, Thunderbird, Claws...).
timmm 12y ago
Fair point about apps but websites are becoming more and more javascript centric.
- zerr 12y ago
  Agree, for me most JS usage comes from things such as HN upvote arrow clicking, etc... and html5 youtube, yes.. but I think flash version was better ;) Anyway, these are examples of content consumption - news, videos, etc...

thewarrior 12y ago

Good marketing + Low Barrier to Entry.