Learning JavaScript
Things come easy, things come difficult.
For the past 17+ years, I’ve created websites. HTML, XHTML, HTML5, CSS, CSS3, you name it, I’ve done it. I’ve even used Flash, JavaScript and jQuery to enhance my sites. Again, I’ve used JavaScript & jQuery, but I haven’t known it up to this point.
I’ve spent over a decade trying to grasp it; each time, it would elude me and/or I’d become distracted by something more digestible. With the JavaScript renaissance (the advent of JavaScript libraries, AJAX, and all the other developer toys), JavaScript and related libraries have become a requirement in the front-end developer’s tool belt. And overnight, I was behind the ball instead of alongside or in front. So this year, I’ve made it a priority to not only learn, but know JavaScript. I don’t want nor need to be an expert (as I’m heading down a UX track). But I have to know it, create it, manipulate it.
At the mid-year point, I know much more than I’ve ever known about JavaScript. Yet, I know very little. Maybe I’m being hard on myself. Maybe I’m being realistic. Without this knowledge, my career is non-existent. I’m not employable. And that is not an option, as not only is this my livelihood, it’s my passion.
So along with banging my head to learn this stuff, and the fact that I’d really like to blog more, sharing my knowledge and experience with others, I’ve decided to share my learning experience with JavaScript. As of this morning, I don’t know if this means I’ll be writing diary/commentary style or tutorial style; stay tuned. In any case, my goal is to help myself, as well as anyone else who has difficulty stimulating the left side of their brain. I’ll be posting on a regular basis on what I’ve learned and hopefully mastered. Sort of like being on a diet, and telling everyone the progress you’re making. Hopefully, this will aid in my accountability.
Let the learning begin (or actually, continue)…
