JavaScript and JScript Part 2  
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A limitation of HTML is that it’s static. Developers need to employ client-side (web browser) scripting like JavaScript, JScript (Microsoft’s implementation of JavaScript) or VBScript to make web pages dynamic. JavaScript and JScript allow for Dynamic HTML (DHTML) with interactivity, instantaneous web page updates, animations and many more attention-grabbing web features. Upon successful completion of this course, students will have dynamic web pages with JavaScripts to present to prospective employers as a sample of their work. Seating is limited to 40 students, and this course is equivalent to 12 classroom hours.

 

PREREQUISITES:

Background CoursesJavaScript and JScript Part 1 AND knowledge of HTML OR prior programming experience.

Internet Access—Search the web for a free provider like www.netzero.net or www.bluelight.com.

E-mail Address—Search the web for a free provider like www.yahoo.com or www.hotmail.com.
Operating System—Windows 95/98/2000 or NT 4.
Optional Web Host—Search the web for a free provider like WebHostMe, Angelfire, Homestead, Xoom, Tripod, Webjump or Geocities. Note: This is optional and for those who'd like to publish their work online.

Course Browser—Internet Explorer 5+. Download for free from www.microsoft.com/windows/ie/default.htm. Although JavaScript can be browser-independent, the online courseware including this page may utilize the eXtensible Mark-up Language (XML) and requires IE5+. Students are encouraged to use the latest version of Netscape’s Navigator/Communicator in addition to IE5+ when testing and de-bugging their web pages.

 

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

This online course reviews the JScript (JavaScript) Language Reference which is similar to the Microsoft Developers' Network library and some topics from the Part 1 class. Using a project-orientated approach, students learn the JavaScript needed to create (1) complex image rollovers and rotating banner adds, (2) form validators/calculators (3) cookies, arrays and frames and (4) online shopping carts. Topics include variables, arrays, data types, forms, control statements, functions, events and objects as well as cookies and frames. Upon successful completion of this course, students will have dynamic web pages with JavaScripts to present to prospective employers as samples of their work. Beginning Fall 2000, the following textbook will be required for both JavaScript courses: JavaScript Complete Concepts and Techniques, Thomson Learning Course Technology, ISBN: 0789556421. The book ships in 24 hours and arrives in three to five days.

 

COURSE GRADE: No letter grade will be assigned. Students will receive either credit (CR) or no credit (NC) based upon an easy quiz and weekly participation in the class discussion board. All quiz questions will be viewable well before the quiz due date and students are expected to help each other in all aspects of the course including discussing the correct answers to the quiz on the class discussion board.

 

COURSE SYLLABUS: During the first week, items 1 though 4 are partially reviewed from the Part 1 class.

1.      Install the JScript (JavaScript) Language Reference

2.      Evolution of Mark-up

       Limitations of HTML

       Web Browsers

       Advantages of Scripting

       JavaScript/JScript Editors

3.      Scripting Technologies

  Client-side vs. Sever-side Scripting

  VBScript, JScript and JavaScript

4.      Scripting (Programming) Crash Course (Review Only)

        Data Types, Variables, Constants, Operators and Arrays

        Control Statements, Functions, Events, Cookies and Frames

  Commenting Code and JavaScript File Includes

5.      Project 1: Complex Image Rollovers and Rotating Banner Adds

6.      Project 2: Form Validators/Calculators

7.      Project 3: Cookies, Arrays and Frames

8.   Project 4: Online Shopping Carts

9.    Putting It All Together.

 

TO BEGIN THIS COURSE:      

If you are eager to begin, you may download and install the JScript Language Reference and review Module 3 shown below.

 

Notes Section

Main Text

 

Module 1.0

 

 

Read JScript FAQ.

 

Read JScript Tutorial.

Reference also available entirely online.

 

Download and Install the JScript (JavaScript) Language Reference.


Go to msdn.microsoft.com/scripting/default.htm?/scripting/jscript/default.htm with Internet Explorer (IE) 5+. Bookmark the site, visiting all its JScript links and read the JScript FAQ. Download and install the language reference (JSDOC.exe 473KB) msdn.microsoft.com/scripting/jscript/download/jsdoc.exe. Go to Start > Program > Microsoft Windows Script > JScript V5.1 Documentation. Read the JScript Tutorial.

 

 

Module 3.0

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

*As JavaScript and JScript reach full compliance with ECMAScript Standards, their inconsistencies in Netscape and IE browsers will diminish and a vendor-neutral, client-side scripting language will hopefully emerge on the Web.

 

 

The European Computer Manufacturers Association’s (ECMA) goal is to foster a reliable scripting standard. Both Netscape and Microsoft have pledged future version compliance.

 

What are VBScript, JScript and JavaScript?


All are interpreted scripting languages requiring an interpreter and are capable of running on a web browser like Netscape’s Navigator or Communicator and Microsoft’s Internet Explorer (IE).

 

VBScript: Based on the Visual Basic (VB) programming  language. Both VBScript and Visual Basic for Applications (VBA) are subsets of the VB language. VBScript is an embeddable language requiring a scripting host and cannot be compiled into an independent application.

 

JScript: Introduced by Microsoft to compete against Netscape’s popular JavaScript. Both JavaScript 1.1 and JScript 2.0 were the source for ECMAScript*, the only standardized Web scripting language.

 

JavaScript: The first client-side scripting language. Originally called LiveScript. Strategically renamed under agreement with Sun Microsystems to take advantage of the Java marketing publicity. JavaScript and Java are distinctly different languages: JavaScript is interpreted while Java is compiled (into bytecode).

 

 

Advantage

Disadvantage

VBScript

Easiest to learn. Internet Explorer (IE) supported.

Netscape requires plug-in: www.ncompasslabs.com

JScript

Reverse engineering of JavaScript by Microsoft.

Rarely used. Not directly* supported by Netscape.

JavaScript

The only browser independent client-side scripting language. JavaScript interpreters are in both IE (JavaScript 1.1, as ECMAScript) and Netscape (JavaScript 1.2). Capable of server-side scripting for Active Server Pages (ASP).