console.log()
The console.log()
method is used to log or print messages to the console. It can also be used to print objects and other info.
console.log('Hi there!');
// Prints: Hi there!
JavaScript
JavaScript is a programming language that powers the dynamic behavior on most websites. Alongside HTML and CSS, it is a core technology that makes the web run.
Methods
Methods return information about an object, and are called by appending an instance with a period .
, the method name, and parentheses.
// Returns a number between 0 and 1
Math.random();
Libraries
Libraries contain methods that can be called by appending the library name with a period .
, the method name, and a set of parentheses.
Math.random();
// ☝️ Math is the library
Numbers
Numbers are a primitive data type. They include the set of all integers and floating point numbers.
let amount = 6;
let price = 4.99;
String .length
The .length
property of a string returns the number of characters that make up the string.
let message = 'good nite';
console.log(message.length);
// Prints: 9
console.log('howdy'.length);
// Prints: 5
Data Instances
When a new piece of data is introduced into a JavaScript program, the program keeps track of it in an instance of that data type. An instance is an individual case of a data type.
Booleans
Booleans are a primitive data type. They can be either true
or false
.
let lateToWork = true;
Math.random()
The Math.random()
function returns a floating-point, random number in the range from 0 (inclusive) up to but not including 1.
console.log(Math.random());
// Prints: 0 - 0.9
Math.floor()
The Math.floor()
function returns the largest integer less than or equal to the given number.
console.log(Math.floor(5.95));
// Prints: 5
Single Line Comments
In JavaScript, single-line comments are created with two consecutive forward slashes //
.
// This line will denote a comment
Null
Null is a primitive data type. It represents the intentional absence of value. In code, it is represented as null
.
let x = null;
Strings
Strings are a primitive data type. They are any grouping of characters (letters, spaces, numbers, or symbols) surrounded by single quotes '
or double quotes "
.
let single = 'Wheres my bandit hat?';
let double = "Wheres my bandit hat?";
Arithmetic Operators
JavaScript supports arithmetic operators for:
+
addition-
subtraction*
multiplication/
division%
modulo
// Addition
5 + 5
// Subtraction
10 - 5
// Multiplication
5 * 10
// Division
10 / 5
// Modulo
10 % 5
Multi-line Comments
In JavaScript, multi-line comments are created by surrounding the lines with /*
at the beginning and */
at the end. Comments are good ways for a variety of reasons like explaining a code block or indicating some hints, etc.
/*
The below configuration must be
changed before deployment.
*/
let baseUrl = 'localhost/taxwebapp/country';
Remainder / Modulo Operator
The remainder operator, sometimes called modulo, returns the number that remains after the right-hand number divides into the left-hand number as many times as it evenly can.
// calculates # of weeks in a year, rounds down to nearest integer
const weeksInYear = Math.floor(365/7);
// calcuates the number of days left over after 365 is divded by 7
const daysLeftOver = 365 % 7 ;
console.log("A year has " + weeksInYear + " weeks and " + daysLeftOver + " days");
Assignment Operators
An assignment operator assigns a value to its left operand based on the value of its right operand. Here are some of them:
+=
addition assignment-=
subtraction assignment*=
multiplication assignment/=
division assignment
let number = 100;
// Both statements will add 10
number = number + 10;
number += 10;
console.log(number);
// Prints: 120
String Interpolation
String interpolation is the process of evaluating string literals containing one or more placeholders (expressions, variables, etc).
It can be performed using template literals: text ${expression} text
.
let age = 7;
// String concatenation
'Tommy is ' + age + ' years old.';
// String interpolation
`Tommy is ${age} years old.`;
Variables
Variables are used whenever there’s a need to store a piece of data. A variable contains data that can be used in the program elsewhere. Using variables also ensures code re-usability since it can be used to replace the same value in multiple places.
const currency = '$';
let userIncome = 85000;
console.log(currency + userIncome + ' is more than the average income.');
// Prints: $85000 is more than the average income.
Undefined
undefined
is a primitive JavaScript value that represents lack of defined value. Variables that are declared but not initialized to a value will have the value undefined
.
var a;
console.log(a);
// Prints: undefined
Learn Javascript: Variables
A variable is a container for data that is stored in computer memory. It is referenced by a descriptive name that a programmer can call to assign a specific value and retrieve it.
// examples of variables
let name = "Tammy";
const found = false;
var age = 3;
console.log(name, found, age);
// Tammy, false, 3
Declaring Variables
To declare a variable in JavaScript, any of these three keywords can be used along with a variable name:
var
is used in pre-ES6 versions of JavaScript.let
is the preferred way to declare a variable when it can be reassigned.const
is the preferred way to declare a variable with a constant value.
var age;
let weight;
const numberOfFingers = 20;
Template Literals
Template literals are strings that allow embedded expressions, ${expression}
. While regular strings use single '
or double "
quotes, template literals use backticks instead.
let name = "Codecademy";
console.log(`Hello, ${name}`);
// Prints: Hello, Codecademy
console.log(`Billy is ${6+8} years old.`);
// Prints: Billy is 14 years old.
let
Keyword
let
creates a local variable in JavaScript & can be re-assigned. Initialization during the declaration of a let
variable is optional. A let
variable will contain undefined
if nothing is assigned to it.
let count;
console.log(count); // Prints: undefined
count = 10;
console.log(count); // Prints: 10
const
Keyword
A constant variable can be declared using the keyword const
. It must have an assignment. Any attempt of re-assigning a const
variable will result in JavaScript runtime error.
const numberOfColumns = 4;
numberOfColumns = 8;
// TypeError: Assignment to constant variable.
String Concatenation
In JavaScript, multiple strings can be concatenated together using the +
operator. In the example, multiple strings and variables containing string values have been concatenated. After execution of the code block, the displayText
variable will contain the concatenated string.
let service = 'credit card';
let month = 'May 30th';
let displayText = 'Your ' + service + ' bill is due on ' + month + '.';
console.log(displayText);
// Prints: Your credit card bill is due on May 30th.