Introduction to JavaScript

• The Origins of JavaScript
• Why Standards and Accessibility Matter
• Programming and Scripting Concepts
• Characteristics of JavaScript
• Object-based, Event-driven, Platform-independent
• Client-side versus Server-side Applications
• Common Uses of JavaScript
• What JavaScript Looks Like.  Where to Put Code.

Basic Scripting

• Embedding JavaScript in HTML Code
• Referencing an External Script File
• Syntax for Script Blocks and Comments
• Writing a Script to Send Information to the User
• Prompting the User for Input
• Requesting Confirmation from the User
• A Little Syntax:  Semicolons and Concatenation
• Working with What the User Gives You
• Creating Page Content "On The Fly"

Objects, Properties, and Methods (Oh my!)

• Wait a Minute.  What is an Object?
• For now, let’s keep this simple.
• Where objects come from, what to do with them
• Object Oriented Terminology
• Using Dot Notation to Refer to Objects
• Properties, Methods and Events
• Object Models and The DOM
• Playing with Objects, Setting and Getting Properties
• Invoking Methods and Responding to Events

Declaring and Using Data Variables

• Storing Stuff in Memory for Later Use
• What are Variables and Data Types?
• Naming, Declaring and Working with Variables
• Keywords and Other Reserved Words
• Operators and Operator Types
• Keywords + Variables + Operators = Expressions
• Precedence of Operations
• Inline Scripts versus Event Handling
• Simple User Events and Document Events

Functions, Methods, and Events

• What is a Function?
• Using Built-in Functions
• Declaring you own Functions
• Passing Parameters and Returning Values
• Document Styles and Inheritance
• Selectors, Elements, Classes and IDs
• Linking to One or More External Style Sheets
• Specifying Different Style Sheets for Different Media
• Creating and Testing Style Sheets for Printing