Friday, December 24, 2010

Java Script


1. What is JavaScript?

  • JavaScript was designed to add interactivity to HTML pages
  • JavaScript is a scripting language - a scripting language is a lightweight programming language
  • A JavaScript is lines of executable computer code
  • A JavaScript is usually embedded directly in HTML pages
  • JavaScript is an interpreted language (means that scripts execute without preliminary compilation)
  • Everyone can use JavaScript without purchasing a license
  • JavaScript is supported by all major browsers, like Netscape and Internet Explorer

2. How to Put a JavaScript Into an HTML Page

<html>
<body>
<script type="text/javascript">
document.write("Hello World!")
</script>
</body>
</html>
The code above will produce this output on an HTML page:
Hello World!

3. Where to Put the JavaScript?

Scripts in a page will be executed immediately while the page loads into the browser. This is not always what we want. Sometimes we want to execute a script when a page loads, other times when a user triggers an event.
Scripts in the head section:
Scripts to be executed when they are called, or when an event is triggered, go in the head section. When you place a script in the head section, you will ensure that the script is loaded before anyone uses it. 
<html>
<head>
<script type="text/javascript">
     some statements
</script>
</head>
 


Scripts in the body section:
Scripts to be executed when the page loads go in the body section. When you place a script in the body section it generates the content of the page.
<html>
<head>
</head>
<body>
<script type="text/javascript">
     some statements
</script>
</body>
Scripts in both the body and the head section:
You can place an unlimited number of scripts in your document, so you can have scripts in both the body and the head section.
<html>
<head>
<script type="text/javascript">
     some statements
</script>
</head>
<body>
<script type="text/javascript">
     some statements
</script>
</body>

4.  Define Variables

A variable is a "container" for information you want to store. A variable's value can change during the script. You can refer to a variable by name to see its value or to change its value.
Rules for Variable names:
  • Variable names are case sensitive
  • They must begin with a letter or the underscore character

 

5. How to declare a Variable?

You can create a variable with the var statement:
var strname = some value
You can also create a variable without the var statement:
strname = some value

6. How to Assign a Value to a Variable?

You assign a value to a variable like this:
var strname = "Hege"
Or like this:
strname = "Hege"
The variable name is on the left side of the expression and the value you want to assign to the variable is on the right. Now the variable "strname" has the value "Hege".

 

7. Explain Arithmetic Operators

Operator
Description
Example
Result
+
Addition
x=2
x+2
4
-
Subtraction
x=2
5-x
3
*
Multiplication
x=4
x*5
20
/
Division
15/5
5/2
3
2.5
%
Modulus (division remainder)
5%2
10%8
10%2
1
2
0
++
Increment
x=5
x++
x=6
--
Decrement
x=5
x--
X=4

 

 

8. What are the Assignment Operators available in Javascript?

 

Operator
Example
Is The Same As
=
x=y
x=y
+=
x+=y
x=x+y
-=
x-=y
x=x-y
*=
x*=y
x=x*y
/=
x/=y
x=x/y
%=
x%=y
x=x%y

 

 

9. Comparison Operators in Javascript.

 

Operator
Description
Example
==
is equal to
5==8 returns false
!=
is not equal
5!=8 returns true
is greater than
5>8 returns false
is less than
5<8 returns true
>=
is greater than or equal to
5>=8 returns false
<=
is less than or equal to
5<=8 returns true

 

10. Logical Operators in javascript.

 

Operator
Description
Example
&&
and
x=6
y=3
(x < 10 && y > 1) returns true
||
or
x=6
y=3
(x==5 || y==5) returns false
!
not
x=6
y=3
!(x==y) returns true

 

11. String Operator in Javascript.

A string is most often text, for example "Hello World!". To stick two or more string variables together, use the + operator.
txt1="What a very"
txt2="nice day!"
txt3=txt1+txt2 
The variable txt3 now contains "What a verynice day!".
To add a space between two string variables, insert a space into the expression, OR in one of the strings.
txt1="What a very"
txt2="nice day!"
txt3=txt1+" "+txt2
or
txt1="What a very "
txt2="nice day!"
txt3=txt1+txt2
The variable txt3 now contains "What a very nice day!".

12. What is Functions?

A function contains some code that will be executed by an event or a call to that function. A function is a set of statements. You can reuse functions within the same script, or in other documents. You define functions at the beginning of a file (in the head section), and call them later in the document. It is now time to take a lesson about the alert-box:
This is JavaScript's method to alert the user.
Alert("This is a message")

 

13. How to Define a Function

To create a function you define its name, any values ("arguments"), and some statements:
function myfunction(argument1,argument2,etc)
{
some statements
}



A function with no arguments must include the parentheses:
function myfunction()
{
some statements
}
Arguments are variables used in the function. The variable values are values passed on by the function call.
By placing functions in the head section of the document, you make sure that all the code in the function has been loaded before the function is called.
Some functions return a value to the calling expression
function result(a,b)
{
c=a+b
return c
}

14. How to Call a Function?

A function is not executed before it is called.
You can call a function containing arguments:
myfunction(argument1,argument2,etc)
or without arguments:
myfunction()


The return Statement

Functions that will return a result must use the "return" statement. This statement specifies the value which will be returned to where the function was called from. Say you have a function that returns the sum of two numbers:
 
 
 
function total(a,b)
{
result=a+b
return result
}
When you call this function you must send two arguments with it:
sum=total(2,3)
The returned value from the function (5) will be stored in the variable called sum.

15. What is DHTML?

DHTML stands for Dynamic HTML. When implemented in full it allows complete control of all the structures and contents of a Web page by exposing every part of the Document Object Model (DOM) to control by JavaScript. Thus the position, visibility, color, size, content, etc of every aspect of a web page can be dynamically controlled.

16. List the  three main components of Dynamic HTML.
  1. Positioning: precisely placing blocks of content on the page and, if desired, moving these blocks around (strictly speaking, a subset of style modifications).
  2. Style modifications: on-the-fly altering the aesthetics of content on the page.
  3. Event handling: how to relate user events to changes in positioning or other style modifications.

17. Write short notes on layers.

In general, "layer" refers to elements that can be positioned at exact coordinates on the page. These elements can be defined with the DIV, SPAN, LAYER, or ILAYER tags. Layers created with DIV and SPAN are referred to as CSS layers because their properties are defined by the Cascading Style Sheets specification by the World Wide web Consortium. This specification defines style properties (e.g. font, color, padding, margin, word-spacing) in addition to the positioning properties associated with layers (top, left, z-index, visibility).








18. How DHTML Does it Work?

     Various elements of a web page such as images and blocks of text are organized into groups with the <div> or <layer> tags. The groups are then given a list of properties using the cascading style sheet specification and a name to distinguish them from each other. Then through the use of a scripting language, you can dynamically change the CSS attribute of each group. It's really quite neat how the three elements of web design can come together in a dynamic union.

19. What DHTML  Can Do ?

     DHTML gives you ability to position elements of a web page to precise (x,y,z) coordinates and dynamically change the position with script. Every property of a web page element can be altered with the use of a script language. Some properties include color, size, visibility, alignment, etc.. You can achieve some awesome effects with DHTML.


20. Write About The Technology Components Of DHTML.

The major components of Dynamic HTML technology are:-
  • Style Sheets (NS) (MS) let you specify the stylistic attributes of the typographic elements of your web page. They let you change the color, size, or style of the text on a page without waiting for the screen to refresh.
  • Content Positioning (NS) (MS) lets a web developer animate any element on a web page, moving pictures, text, and objects at will. It lets you ensure that pieces of content are displayed on the page exactly where you want them to appear, and you can modify their appearance and location after the page has been displayed.
  • Dynamic Content (MS) actually changes the words, pictures, or multimedia on a page without another trip to the web Server.
  • Data Binding (MS) lets you get all the information you need to ask questions, change elements, and get results without going back to the web server.
  • Downloadable Fonts (NS) let you use the fonts of your choice to enhance the appearance of your text. Then you can package the fonts with the page so that the text is always displayed with your chosen fonts.

Introduction to JavaScript

JavaScript is used in millions of Web pages to improve the design, validate forms, detect browsers, create cookies, and much more.
JavaScript is the most popular scripting language on the internet, and works in all major browsers, such as Internet Explorer, Mozilla, Firefox, Netscape, Opera.

What is JavaScript?

  • JavaScript was designed to add interactivity to HTML pages
  • JavaScript is a scripting language (a scripting language is a lightweight programming language)
  • A JavaScript consists of lines of executable computer code
  • A JavaScript is usually embedded directly into HTML pages
  • JavaScript is an interpreted language (means that scripts execute without preliminary compilation)
  • Everyone can use JavaScript without purchasing a license

Are Java and JavaScript the Same?

NO!
Java and JavaScript are two completely different languages in both concept and design!
Java (developed by Sun Microsystems) is a powerful and much more complex programming language - in the same category as C and C++.

What can a JavaScript Do?

  • JavaScript gives HTML designers a programming tool - HTML authors are normally not programmers, but JavaScript is a scripting language with a very simple syntax! Almost anyone can put small "snippets" of code into their HTML pages
  • JavaScript can put dynamic text into an HTML page - A JavaScript statement like this: document.write("<h1>" + name + "</h1>") can write a variable text into an HTML page
  • JavaScript can react to events - A JavaScript can be set to execute when something happens, like when a page has finished loading or when a user clicks on an HTML element
  • JavaScript can read and write HTML elements - A JavaScript can read and change the content of an HTML element
  • JavaScript can be used to validate data - A JavaScript can be used to validate form data before it is submitted to a server, this will save the server from extra processing
  • JavaScript can be used to detect the visitor's browser - A JavaScript can be used to detect the visitor's browser, and - depending on the browser - load another page specifically designed for that browser
  • JavaScript can be used to create cookies - A JavaScript can be used to store and retrieve information on the visitor's computer

How to Put a JavaScript Into an HTML Page

<html>
<body>
<script type="text/javascript">
document.write("Hello World!")
</script>
</body>
</html>
The code above will produce this output on an HTML page:
Hello World!

Example Explained

To insert a JavaScript into an HTML page, we use the <script> tag (also use the type attribute to define the scripting language).
So, the <script type="text/javascript"> and </script> tells where the JavaScript starts and ends:
<html>
<body>
<script type="text/javascript">
...
</script>
</body>
</html>
The word document.write is a standard JavaScript command for writing output to a page.
By entering the document.write command between the <script type="text/javascript"> and </script> tags, the browser will recognize it as a JavaScript command and execute the code line. In this case the browser will write Hello World! to the page:
<html>
<body>
<script type="text/javascript">
document.write("Hello World!")
</script>
</body>
</html>
Note: If we had not entered the <script> tag, the browser would have treated the document.write("Hello World!") command as pure text, and just write the entire line on the page.

Ending Statements With a Semicolon?

With traditional programming languages, like C++ and Java, each code statement has to end with a semicolon.
Many programmers continue this habit when writing JavaScript, but in general, semicolons are optional! However, semicolons are required if you want to put more than one statement on a single line.

How to Handle Older Browsers

Browsers that do not support JavaScript will display the script as page content. To prevent them from doing this, we may use the HTML comment tag:
<script type="text/javascript">
<!--
document.write("Hello World!")
//-->
</script>
The two forward slashes at the end of comment line (//) are a JavaScript comment symbol. This prevents the JavaScript compiler from compiling the line.

Where to Put the JavaScript

JavaScripts in the body section will be executed WHILE the page loads.
JavaScripts in the head section will be executed when CALLED.
JavaScripts in a page will be executed immediately while the page loads into the browser. This is not always what we want. Sometimes we want to execute a script when a page loads, other times when a user triggers an event.
Scripts in the head section: Scripts to be executed when they are called, or when an event is triggered, go in the head section. When you place a script in the head section, you will ensure that the script is loaded before anyone uses it. 
<html>
<head>
<script type="text/javascript">
....
</script>
</head>
Scripts in the body section: Scripts to be executed when the page loads go in the body section. When you place a script in the body section it generates the content of the page.
<html>
<head>
</head>
<body>
<script type="text/javascript">
....
</script>
</body>
Scripts in both the body and the head section: You can place an unlimited number of scripts in your document, so you can have scripts in both the body and the head section.
<html>
<head>
<script type="text/javascript">
....
</script>
</head>
<body>
<script type="text/javascript">
....
</script>
</body>


Using an External JavaScript

Sometimes you might want to run the same JavaScript on several pages, without having to write the same script on every page.
To simplify this, you can write a JavaScript in an external file. Save the external JavaScript file with a .js file extension.
Note: The external script cannot contain the <script> tag!
To use the external script, point to the .js file in the "src" attribute of the <script> tag:
<html>
<head>
<script src="xxx.js"></script>
</head>
<body>
</body>
</html>
Note: Remember to place the script exactly where you normally would write the script!

Variables

A variable is a "container" for information you want to store. A variable's value can change during the script. You can refer to a variable by name to see its value or to change its value.
Rules for variable names:
  • Variable names are case sensitive
  • They must begin with a letter or the underscore character
IMPORTANT! JavaScript is case-sensitive! A variable named strname is not the same as a variable named STRNAME!

Declare a Variable

You can create a variable with the var statement:
var strname = some value
You can also create a variable without the var statement:
strname = some value


Assign a Value to a Variable

You can assign a value to a variable like this:
var strname = "Hege"
Or like this:
strname = "Hege"
The variable name is on the left side of the expression and the value you want to assign to the variable is on the right. Now the variable "strname" has the value "Hege".

Lifetime of Variables

When you declare a variable within a function, the variable can only be accessed within that function. When you exit the function, the variable is destroyed. These variables are called local variables. You can have local variables with the same name in different functions, because each is recognized only by the function in which it is declared.
If you declare a variable outside a function, all the functions on your page can access it. The lifetime of these variables starts when they are declared, and ends when the page is closed.

JavaScript If...Else Statements

Conditional statements in JavaScript are used to perform different actions based on different conditions.

Conditional Statements

Very often when you write code, you want to perform different actions for different decisions. You can use conditional statements in your code to do this.
In JavaScript we have the following conditional statements:
  • if statement - use this statement if you want to execute some code only if a specified condition is true
  • if...else statement - use this statement if you want to execute some code if the condition is true and another code if the condition is false
  • if...else if....else statement - use this statement if you want to select one of many blocks of code to be executed
  • switch statement - use this statement if you want to select one of many blocks of code to be executed

If Statement

You should use the if statement if you want to execute some code only if a specified condition is true.

Syntax

if (condition)
{
code to be executed if condition is true
}
Note that if is written in lowercase letters. Using uppercase letters (IF) will generate a JavaScript error!

Example 1

<script type="text/javascript">
//Write a "Good morning" greeting if
//the time is less than 10
var d=new Date()
var time=d.getHours()
 
if (time<10) 
{
document.write("<b>Good morning</b>")
}
</script>

Example 2

<script type="text/javascript">
//Write "Lunch-time!" if the time is 11
var d=new Date()
var time=d.getHours()
 
if (time==11) 
{
document.write("<b>Lunch-time!</b>")
}
</script>
Note: When comparing variables you must always use two equals signs next to each other (==)!
Notice that there is no ..else.. in this syntax. You just tell the code to execute some code only if the specified condition is true.

If...else Statement

If you want to execute some code if a condition is true and another code if the condition is not true, use the if....else statement.

Syntax

if (condition)
{
code to be executed if condition is true
}
else
{
code to be executed if condition is not true
}

Example

<script type="text/javascript">
//If the time is less than 10,
//you will get a "Good morning" greeting.
//Otherwise you will get a "Good day" greeting.
var d = new Date()
var time = d.getHours()
 
if (time < 10) 
{
document.write("Good morning!")
}
else
{
document.write("Good day!")
}
</script>


If...else if...else Statement

You should use the if....else if...else statement if you want to select one of many sets of lines to execute.

Syntax

if (condition1)
{
code to be executed if condition1 is true
}
else if (condition2)
{
code to be executed if condition2 is true
}
else
{
code to be executed if condition1 and
condition2 are not true
}

Example

<script type="text/javascript">
var d = new Date()
var time = d.getHours()
if (time<10)
{
document.write("<b>Good morning</b>")
}
else if (time>10 && time<16)
{
document.write("<b>Good day</b>")
}
else
{
document.write("<b>Hello World!</b>")
}
</script>
Conditional statements in JavaScript are used to perform different actions based on different conditions.

The JavaScript Switch Statement

You should use the switch statement if you want to select one of many blocks of code to be executed.

Syntax

switch(n)
{
case 1:
  execute code block 1
  break    
case 2:
  execute code block 2
  break
default:
  code to be executed if n is
  different from case 1 and 2
}
This is how it works: First we have a single expression n (most often a variable), that is evaluated once. The value of the expression is then compared with the values for each case in the structure. If there is a match, the block of code associated with that case is executed. Use break to prevent the code from running into the next case automatically.

Example

<script type="text/javascript">
//You will receive a different greeting based
//on what day it is. Note that Sunday=0,
//Monday=1, Tuesday=2, etc.
var d=new Date()
theDay=d.getDay()
switch (theDay)
{
case 5:
  document.write("Finally Friday")
  break
case 6:
  document.write("Super Saturday")
  break
case 0:
  document.write("Sleepy Sunday")
  break
default:
  document.write("I'm looking forward to this weekend!")
}
</script>

JavaScript Operators

Arithmetic Operators

Operator
Description
Example
Result
+
Addition
x=2
y=2
x+y
4
-
Subtraction
x=5
y=2
x-y
3
*
Multiplication
x=5
y=4
x*y
20
/
Division
15/5
5/2
3
2.5
%
Modulus (division remainder)
5%2
10%8
10%2
1
2
0
++
Increment
x=5
x++
x=6
--
Decrement
x=5
x--
x=4

Assignment Operators

Operator
Example
Is The Same As
=
x=y
x=y
+=
x+=y
x=x+y
-=
x-=y
x=x-y
*=
x*=y
x=x*y
/=
x/=y
x=x/y
%=
x%=y
x=x%y

Comparison Operators

Operator
Description
Example
==
is equal to
5==8 returns false
===
is equal to (checks for both value and type)
x=5
y="5"
x==y returns true
x===y returns false

!=
is not equal
5!=8 returns true
is greater than
5>8 returns false
is less than
5<8 returns true
>=
is greater than or equal to
5>=8 returns false
<=
is less than or equal to
5<=8 returns true

Logical Operators

Operator
Description
Example
&&
and
x=6
y=3
(x < 10 && y > 1) returns true
||
or
x=6
y=3
(x==5 || y==5) returns false
!
not
x=6
y=3
!(x==y) returns true

String Operator

A string is most often text, for example "Hello World!". To stick two or more string variables together, use the + operator.
txt1="What a very"
txt2="nice day!"
txt3=txt1+txt2 
The variable txt3 now contains "What a verynice day!".
To add a space between two string variables, insert a space into the expression, OR in one of the strings.
txt1="What a very"
txt2="nice day!"
txt3=txt1+" "+txt2
or
txt1="What a very "
txt2="nice day!"
txt3=txt1+txt2
The variable txt3 now contains "What a very nice day!".

Conditional Operator

JavaScript also contains a conditional operator that assigns a value to a variable based on some condition.

Syntax

variablename=(condition)?value1:value2 

Example

greeting=(visitor=="PRES")?"Dear President ":"Dear "
If the variable visitor is equal to PRES, then put the string "Dear President " in the variable named greeting. If the variable visitor is not equal to PRES, then put the string "Dear " into the variable named greeting.

JavaScript Popup Boxes

In JavaScript we can create three kind of popup boxes: Alert box, Confirm box, and Prompt box.

Alert Box

An alert box is often used if you want to make sure information comes through to the user.
When an alert box pops up, the user will have to click "OK" to proceed.
Syntax:
alert("sometext")


Confirm Box

A confirm box is often used if you want the user to verify or accept something.
When a confirm box pops up, the user will have to click either "OK" or "Cancel" to proceed.
If the user clicks "OK", the box returns true. If the user clicks "Cancel", the box returns false.
Syntax:
confirm("sometext")


Prompt Box

A prompt box is often used if you want the user to input a value before entering a page.
When a prompt box pops up, the user will have to click either "OK" or "Cancel" to proceed after entering an input value.
If the user clicks "OK" the box returns the input value. If the user clicks "Cancel" the box returns null.
Syntax:
prompt("sometext","defaultvalue")

JavaScript Functions

A function is a reusable code-block that will be executed by an event, or when the function is called.

JavaScript Functions

To keep the browser from executing a script as soon as the page is loaded, you can write your script as a function.
A function contains some code that will be executed only by an event or by a call to that function.
You may call a function from anywhere within the page (or even from other pages if the function is embedded in an external .js file).
Functions are defined at the beginning of a page, in the <head> section.

Example

<html>
<head>
<script type="text/javascript">
function displaymessage()
{
alert("Hello World!")
}
</script>
</head>
<body>
<form>
<input type="button" value="Click me!"
onclick="displaymessage()" >
</form>
</body>
</html>

If the line: alert("Hello world!!"), in the example above had not been written within a function, it would have been executed as soon as the line was loaded. Now, the script is not executed before the user hits the button. We have added an onClick event to the button that will execute the function displaymessage() when the button is clicked.
You will learn more about JavaScript events in the JS Events chapter.

How to Define a Function

The syntax for creating a function is:
function functionname(var1,var2,...,varX)
{
some code
}
var1, var2, etc are variables or values passed into the function. The { and the } defines the start and end of the function.
Note: A function with no parameters must include the parentheses () after the function name:
function functionname()
{
some code
}
Note: Do not forget about the importance of capitals in JavaScript! The word function must be written in lowercase letters, otherwise a JavaScript error occurs! Also note that you must call a function with the exact same capitals as in the function name.

The return Statement

The return statement is used to specify the value that is returned from the function.
So, functions that are going to return a value must use the return statement.

Example

The function below should return the product of two numbers (a and b):
function prod(a,b)
{
x=a*b
return x
}
When you call the function above, you must pass along two parameters:
product=prod(2,3)
The returned value from the prod() function is 6, and it will be stored in the variable called product.

JavaScript For Loop

Loops in JavaScript are used to execute the same block of code a specified number of times or while a specified condition is true.

JavaScript Loops

Very often when you write code, you want the same block of code to run over and over again in a row. Instead of adding several almost equal lines in a script we can use loops to perform a task like this.
In JavaScript there are two different kind of loops:
  • for - loops through a block of code a specified number of times
  • while - loops through a block of code while a specified condition is true

The for Loop

The for loop is used when you know in advance how many times the script should run.
Syntax
for (var=startvalue;var<=endvalue;var=var+increment) 
{
    code to be executed
}
Example
Explanation: The example below defines a loop that starts with i=0. The loop will continue to run as long as i is less than, or equal to 10. i will increase by 1 each time the loop runs.
Note: The increment parameter could also be negative, and the <= could be any comparing statement.
<html>
<body>
<script type="text/javascript">
var i=0
for (i=0;i<=10;i++)
{
document.write("The number is " + i)
document.write("<br />")
}
</script>
</body>
</html>
Result
The number is 0
The number is 1
The number is 2
The number is 3
The number is 4
The number is 5
The number is 6
The number is 7
The number is 8
The number is 9
The number is 10

JavaScript While Loop

Loops in JavaScript are used to execute the same block of code a specified number of times or while a specified condition is true.

The while loop

The while loop is used when you want the loop to execute and continue executing while the specified condition is true. 
while (var<=endvalue)
{
    code to be executed
}
Note: The <= could be any comparing statement.
Example
Explanation: The example below defines a loop that starts with i=0. The loop will continue to run as long as i is less than, or equal to 10. i will increase by 1 each time the loop runs.
<html>
<body>
<script type="text/javascript">
var i=0
while (i<=10)
{
document.write("The number is " + i)
document.write("<br />")
i=i+1
}
</script>
</body>
</html>
Result
The number is 0
The number is 1
The number is 2
The number is 3
The number is 4
The number is 5
The number is 6
The number is 7
The number is 8
The number is 9
The number is 10

The do...while Loop

The do...while loop is a variant of the while loop. This loop will always execute a block of code ONCE, and then it will repeat the loop as long as the specified condition is true. This loop will always be executed once, even if the condition is false, because the code is executed before the condition is tested.
do
{
    code to be executed
}
while (var<=endvalue)
Example
<html>
<body>
<script type="text/javascript">
var i=0
do 
{
document.write("The number is " + i)
document.write("<br />")
i=i+1
}
while (i<0)
</script>
</body>
</html>
Result
The number is 0

JavaScript Break and Continue

JavaScript break and continue Statements

There are two special statements that can be used inside loops: break and continue.

Break

The break command will break the loop and continue executing the code that follows after the loop (if any).
Example
<html>
<body>
<script type="text/javascript">
var i=0
for (i=0;i<=10;i++)
{
if (i==3){break}
document.write("The number is " + i)
document.write("<br />")
}
</script>
</body>
</html>
Result
The number is 0
The number is 1
The number is 2

Continue

The continue command will break the current loop and continue with the next value.
Example
<html>
<body>
<script type="text/javascript">
var i=0
for (i=0;i<=10;i++)
{
if (i==3){continue}
document.write("The number is " + i)
document.write("<br />")
}
</script>
</body>
</html>
Result
The number is 0
The number is 1
The number is 2
The number is 4
The number is 5
The number is 6
The number is 7
The number is 8
The number is 9
The number is 10

JavaScript For...In Statement

The for...in statement is used to loop (iterate) through the elements of an array or through the properties of an object.

JavaScript For...In Statement

The for...in statement is used to loop (iterate) through the elements of an array or through the properties of an object.
The code in the body of the for ... in loop is executed once for each element/property.
Syntax
for (variable in object)
{
    code to be executed
}
The variable argument can be a named variable, an array element, or a property of an object.

Example

Using for...in to loop through an array:
<html>
<body>
<script type="text/javascript">
var x
var mycars = new Array()
mycars[0] = "Saab"
mycars[1] = "Volvo"
mycars[2] = "BMW"
 
for (x in mycars)
{
document.write(mycars[x] + "<br />")
}
</script>
</body>
</html>

JavaScript Events

Events are actions that can be detected by JavaScript.

Events

By using JavaScript, we have the ability to create dynamic web pages. Events are actions that can be detected by JavaScript.
Every element on a web page has certain events which can trigger JavaScript functions. For example, we can use the onClick event of a button element to indicate that a function will run when a user clicks on the button. We define the events in the HTML tags.
Examples of events:
  • A mouse click
  • A web page or an image loading
  • Mousing over a hot spot on the web page
  • Selecting an input box in an HTML form
  • Submitting an HTML form
  • A keystroke
The following table lists the events recognized by JavaScript:
Note: Events are normally used in combination with functions, and the function will not be executed before the event occurs!

onload and onUnload

The onload and onUnload events are triggered when the user enters or leaves the page.
The onload event is often used to check the visitor's browser type and browser version, and load the proper version of the web page based on the information.
Both the onload and onUnload events are also often used to deal with cookies that should be set when a user enters or leaves a page. For example, you could have a popup asking for the user's name upon his first arrival to your page. The name is then stored in a cookie. Next time the visitor arrives at your page, you could have another popup saying something like: "Welcome John Doe!".

onFocus, onBlur and onChange

The onFocus, onBlur and onChange events are often used in combination with validation of form fields.
Below is an example of how to use the onChange event. The checkEmail() function will be called whenever the user changes the content of the field:
<input type="text" size="30"
id="email" onchange="checkEmail()">;


onSubmit

The onSubmit event is used to validate ALL form fields before submitting it.
Below is an example of how to use the onSubmit event. The checkForm() function will be called when the user clicks the submit button in the form. If the field values are not accepted, the submit should be cancelled. The function checkForm() returns either true or false. If it returns true the form will be submitted, otherwise the submit will be cancelled:
<form method="post" action="xxx.htm"
onsubmit="return checkForm()">


onMouseOver and onMouseOut

onMouseOver and onMouseOut are often used to create "animated" buttons.
Below is an example of an onMouseOver event. An alert box appears when an onMouseOver event is detected:
<a href="http://www.w3schools.com"
onmouseover="alert('An onMouseOver event');return false">
<img src="sch.gif" width="100" height="30">
</a>

JavaScript Special Characters

In JavaScript you can add special characters to a text string by using the backslash sign.

Insert Special Characters

The backslash (\) is used to insert apostrophes, new lines, quotes, and other special characters into a text string.
Look at the following JavaScript code:
var txt="We are the so-called "Vikings" from the north."
document.write(txt)
In JavaScript, a string is started and stopped with either single or double quotes. This means that the string above will be chopped to: We are the so-called
To solve this problem, you must place a backslash (\) before each double quote in "Viking". This turns each double quote into a string literal:
var txt="We are the so-called \"Vikings\" from the north."
document.write(txt)
JavasScript will now output the proper text string: We are the so-called "Vikings" from the north.
Here is another example:
document.write ("You \& me are singing!") 
The example above will produce the following output:
You & me are singing!
The table below lists other special characters that can be added to a text string with the backslash sign:
Code
Outputs
\'
single quote
\"
double quote
\&
ampersand
\\
backslash
\n
new line
\r
carriage return
\t
tab
\b
backspace
\f
form feed

JavaScript Guidelines

Some other important things to know when scripting with JavaScript. 

JavaScript is Case Sensitive

A function named "myfunction" is not the same as "myFunction" and a variable named "myVar" is not the same as "myvar".
JavaScript is case sensitive - therefore watch your capitalization closely when you create or call variables, objects and functions.

White Space

JavaScript ignores extra spaces. You can add white space to your script to make it more readable. The following lines are equivalent:
name="Hege"
name = "Hege"


Break up a Code Line

You can break up a code line within a text string with a backslash. The example below will be displayed properly:
document.write("Hello \
World!")
However, you cannot break up a code line like this:
document.write \
("Hello World!")


Comments

You can add comments to your script by using two slashes //:
//this is a comment
document.write("Hello World!")
or by using /* and */ (this creates a multi-line comment block):
/* This is a comment
block. It contains
several lines */
document.write("Hello World!")

JavaScript Objects Introduction

JavaScript is an Object Oriented Programming (OOP) language.
An OOP language allows you to define your own objects and make your own variable types.

Object Oriented Programming

JavaScript is an Object Oriented Programming (OOP) language. An OOP language allows you to define your own objects and make your own variable types.
However, creating your own objects will be explained later, in the Advanced JavaScript section. We will start by looking at the built-in JavaScript objects, and how they are used. The next pages will explain each built-in JavaScript object in detail.
Note that an object is just a special kind of data. An object has properties and methods.

Properties

Properties are the values associated with an object.
In the following example we are using the length property of the String object to return the number of characters in a string:
<script type="text/javascript">
var txt="Hello World!"
document.write(txt.length)
</script>
The output of the code above will be:
12


Methods

Methods are the actions that can be performed on objects.
In the following example we are using the toUpperCase() method of the String object to display a text in uppercase letters:
<script type="text/javascript">
var str="Hello world!"
document.write(str.toUpperCase())
</script>
The output of the code above will be:
HELLO WORLD!

JavaScript String Object

The String object is used to manipulate a stored piece of text.

String object

The String object is used to manipulate a stored piece of text.
Examples of use:
The following example uses the length property of the String object to find the length of a string:
var txt="Hello world!"
document.write(txt.length)
The code above will result in the following output:
12
The following example uses the toUpperCase() method of the String object to convert a string to uppercase letters:
var txt="Hello world!"
document.write(txt.toUpperCase())
The code above will result in the following output:
HELLO WORLD!


Complete String Object Reference

For a complete reference of all the properties and methods that can be used with the String object, go to our complete String object reference.
The reference contains a brief description and examples of use for each property and method!

JavaScript Date Object

The Date object is used to work with dates and times.

Defining Dates

The Date object is used to work with dates and times. 
We define a Date object with the new keyword. The following code line defines a Date object called myDate:
var myDate=new Date()
Note: The Date object will automatically hold the current date and time as its initial value!

Manipulate Dates

We can easily manipulate the date by using the methods available for the Date object.
In the example below we set a Date object to a specific date (14th January 2010):
var myDate=new Date()
myDate.setFullYear(2010,0,14)
And in the following example we set a Date object to be 5 days into the future:
var myDate=new Date()
myDate.setDate(myDate.getDate()+5)
Note: If adding five days to a date shifts the month or year, the changes are handled automatically by the Date object itself!

Comparing Dates

The Date object is also used to compare two dates.
The following example compares today's date with the 14th January 2010:
var myDate=new Date()
myDate.setFullYear(2010,0,14)
var today = new Date()
if (myDate>today)
  alert("Today is before 14th January 2010")
else
  alert("Today is after 14th January 2010")


Complete Date Object Reference

For a complete reference of all the properties and methods that can be used with the Date object, go to our complete Date object reference.
The reference contains a brief description and examples of use for each  property and method!

JavaScript Array Object

The Array object is used to store a set of values in a single variable name.

Defining Arrays

The Array object is used to store a set of values in a single variable name.
We define an Array object with the new keyword. The following code line defines an Array object called myArray:
var myArray=new Array()
There are two ways of adding values to an array (you can add as many values as you need to define as many variables you require).
1:
var mycars=new Array()
mycars[0]="Saab"
mycars[1]="Volvo"
mycars[2]="BMW"
You could also pass an integer argument to control the array's size:
var mycars=new Array(3)
mycars[0]="Saab"
mycars[1]="Volvo"
mycars[2]="BMW"
2:
var mycars=new Array("Saab","Volvo","BMW")
Note: If you specify numbers or true/false values inside the array then the type of variables will be numeric or Boolean instead of string.

Accessing Arrays

You can refer to a particular element in an array by referring to the name of the array and the index number. The index number starts at 0.
The following code line:
document.write(mycars[0])
will result in the following output:
Saab


Modify Values in Existing Arrays

To modify a value in an existing array, just add a new value to the array with a specified index number:
mycars[0]="Opel"
Now, the following code line:
document.write(mycars[0])
will result in the following output:
Opel


Complete Array Object Reference

For a complete reference of all the properties and methods that can be used with the Array object, go to our complete Array object reference.
The reference contains a brief description and examples of use for each property and method!

JavaScript Boolean Object

The Boolean object is used to convert a non-Boolean value to a Boolean value (true or false).

Boolean Object

The Boolean object is an object wrapper for a Boolean value.
The Boolean object is used to convert a non-Boolean value to a Boolean value (true or false).
We define a Boolean object with the new keyword. The following code line defines a Boolean object called myBoolean:
var myBoolean=new Boolean()
Note: If the Boolean object has no initial value or if it is 0, -0, null, "", false, undefined, or NaN, the object is set to false. Otherwise it is true (even with the string "false")!
All the following lines of code create Boolean objects with an initial value of false:
var myBoolean=new Boolean()
var myBoolean=new Boolean(0)
var myBoolean=new Boolean(null)
var myBoolean=new Boolean("")
var myBoolean=new Boolean(false)
var myBoolean=new Boolean(NaN)
And all the following lines of code create Boolean objects with an initial value of true:
var myBoolean=new Boolean(true)
var myBoolean=new Boolean("true")
var myBoolean=new Boolean("false")
var myBoolean=new Boolean("Richard")


Complete Boolean Object Reference

For a complete reference of all the properties and methods that can be used with the Boolean object, go to our complete Boolean object reference.
The reference contains a brief description and examples of use for each property and method!

JavaScript Math Object

The Math object allows you to perform common mathematical tasks.

Math Object

The Math object allows you to perform common mathematical tasks.
The Math object includes several mathematical values and functions. You do not need to define the Math object before using it.

Mathematical Values

JavaScript provides eight mathematical values (constants) that can be accessed from the Math object. These are: E, PI, square root of 2, square root of 1/2, natural log of 2, natural log of 10, base-2 log of E, and base-10 log of E.
You may reference these values from your JavaScript like this:
Math.E
Math.PI
Math.SQRT2
Math.SQRT1_2
Math.LN2
Math.LN10
Math.LOG2E
Math.LOG10E


Mathematical Methods

In addition to the mathematical values that can be accessed from the Math object there are also several functions (methods) available.
Examples of functions (methods):
The following example uses the round() method of the Math object to round a number to the nearest integer:
document.write(Math.round(4.7))
The code above will result in the following output:
5
The following example uses the random() method of the Math object to return a random number between 0 and 1:
document.write(Math.random())
The code above can result in the following output:
0.8669997601016495
The following example uses the floor() and random() methods of the Math object to return a random number between 0 and 10:
document.write(Math.floor(Math.random()*11))
The code above can result in the following output:
3


Complete Math Object Reference

For a complete reference of all the properties and methods that can be used with the Math object, go to our complete Math object reference.
The reference contains a brief description and examples of use for each property and method!

The Navigator Object

The JavaScript Navigator object contains all information about the visitor's browser. We are going to look at two properties of the Navigator object:
  • appName -  holds the name of the browser
  • appVersion - holds, among other things, the version of the browser

Example

<html>
<body>
<script>
with(navigator)
{
   document.writeln("Browser Code Name:"+appCodeName+"<br>")
   document.writeln("Browser Name:"+appName+"<br>")
   document.writeln("Browser Version:"+appVersion+"<br>")
   document.writeln("Language:"+language+"<br>")
   document.writeln("Operating Platform:"+platform+"<br>")
   document.writeln("User Agent:"+userAgent)
}
</script>
</body>
</html>
 

<html>
<body>
<script>
with(navigator)
{
   document.writeln("Browser Code Name:"+appCodeName+"<br>")
   document.writeln("Browser Name:"+appName+"<br>")
   document.writeln("Browser Version:"+appVersion+"<br>")
   document.writeln("Language:"+language+"<br>")
   document.writeln("Operating Platform:"+platform+"<br>")
   document.writeln("User Agent:"+userAgent)
}
</script>
</body>
</html>

The variable browser in the example above holds the name of the browser, i.e. "Netscape" or "Microsoft Internet Explorer".
The appVersion property in the example above returns a string that contains much more information than just the version number, but for now we are only interested in the version number. To pull the version number out of the string we are using a function called parseFloat(), which pulls the first thing that looks like a decimal number out of a string and returns it.
IMPORTANT! The version number is WRONG in IE 5.0 or later! Microsoft start the appVersion string with the numbers 4.0. in IE 5.0 and IE 6.0!!! Why did they do that??? However, JavaScript is the same in IE6, IE5 and IE4, so for most scripts it is ok.

Example

The script below displays a different alert, depending on the visitor's browser:
<html>
<head>
<script type="text/javascript">
function detectBrowser()

{

var browser=navigator.appName
var b_version=navigator.appVersion
var version=parseFloat(b_version)
if ((browser=="Netscape"||browser=="Microsoft Internet Explorer")
&& (version>=4))

  {alert("Your browser is good enough!")}
else
  {alert("It's time to upgrade your browser!")}

}
</script>
</head>
<body onload="detectBrowser()">
</body>
</html>


JavaScript Timing Events

With JavaScript, it is possible to execute some code NOT immediately after a function is called, but after a specified time interval. This is called timing events.

JavaScript Timing Events

With JavaScript, it is possible to execute some code NOT immediately after a function is called, but after a specified time interval. This is called timing events.
It's very easy to time events in JavaScript. The two key methods that are used are:
  • setTimeout() - executes a code some time in the future
  • clearTimeout() - cancels the setTimeout()
Note: The setTimeout() and clearTimeout() are both methods of the HTML DOM Window object.

setTimeout()

Syntax

var t=setTimeout("javascript statement",milliseconds)
The setTimeout() method returns a value - In the statement above, the value is stored in a variable called t. If you want to cancel this setTimeout(), you can refer to it using the variable name.
The first parameter of setTimeout() is a string that contains a JavaScript statement. This statement could be a statement like "alert('5 seconds!')" or a call to a function, like "alertMsg()".
The second parameter indicates how many milliseconds from now you want to execute the first parameter.
Note: There are 1000 milliseconds in one second.

clearTimeout()

Syntax

clearTimeout(setTimeout_variable)

Example

When the button is clicked in the example below, an alert box will be displayed after 5 seconds.
<html>
<head>
<script>
var c=setTimeout("alert('Press the OK button to continue')",5000);
function  clr()
{
   clearTimeout(c);
   alert("The setTimeout() method was cancelled");
}
</script>
</head>
<body>
<form>
<input type="button" value="OK" onclick="clr()">
</form>
</html>

JavaScript Summary

This tutorial has taught you how to add JavaScript to your HTML pages, to make your web site more dynamic and interactive.
You have learned how to create responses to events, validate forms and how to make different scripts run in response to different scenarios.
You have also learned how to create and use objects, and how to use JavaScript's built-in objects.