Forem: Umar Shehu

Basics of JavaScript Programming Language

Umar Shehu — Thu, 04 Jul 2024 12:26:40 +0000

Introduction

A sound foundational knowledge of Javascript syntax is a good foundation for anyone starting to learn Javascript programming language. Javascript is the core programming language of the web

Let me guide you on your journey to exploring the basics of JavaScript and its wide range of applications.

What is Javascript?

Javascript(JS) is the major component used in developing the web. JS is a lightweight and high-level(human-readable) programming language.

Javascript with the combination of Hyper Text Markup Language(HTML) and Cascading Style Sheet(CSS), makes a web application interactive and user-friendly.

Applications of Javascript

The following are applications of Javascript

Web development
Mobile application
Game development
Server application
Web server

Web Development: Javascript is a scripting language used for web page development. Interactive web pages use HTML, CSS, and Javascript as core components during web development.

Javascript enables the changes of HTML content and attribute values without reloading the web page.

Mobile Application: Javascript frameworks like Tatnium and Cordova are used to create hybrid or native mobile applications, for various platforms, like IOS(iPhone Operating System), Android Operating System, and Windows Operating System.

The following is a list of Javascript frameworks used in mobile app(application) development.

Ember.js
Ionic
React Native
Mobile Angular UI(user interface)
Game Development: Javascript, HTML5, and API(Application Programming Interface) like WebGL are used to build games.

Javascript library like EasleJS provides rich graphics for games.

Server Applications: Node.js, an open-source (free) Javascript framework, is used by developers to create server-side software.

Developers also used Node.js to write, test, and debug code faster, and scale network applications.

Web Server: Node.js creates a web server. Node.js HTTP module uses the 'createServer()' command to create a server.

How to Open Javascript Console from a Browser

Follow the steps below to open the Javascript console from a browser:

Open your preferred browser (Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox)
Right-click on the mouse.
Select the option inspect.
Click console on the upper panel. A blank screen with a blinking cursor will appear.
Type your basic Javascript commands on the blank screen.

Javascript Syntax

Javascript programming language was designed to operate using defined rules called syntax. Two Javascript values are Literal(or Fixed) and Variable Values.

Note that Numbers and String values are classified under Literal values. Also, a semicolon (;) is used to identify the end of a Javascript statement.

The following is a list of Javascript syntax:

Numbers
Strings
Variables
Operators
Comments
Keywords
Camel-case
Case Sensitive
Numbers: Numbers are in the form of whole numbers or decimal numbers. Examples of numbers are:

// Here are examples of numbers
23 // This is a whole number
67
109
12.8 // This is a decimal number
1.2
6.9

The forward slashes are called comments. Comments are explained later.

Strings: Strings are quoted alphabet, word, phrase, or sentence. String are identified with a single or double quotation.

Find examples of string below:

'tea' // Example of a single quote string
'school calendar'
"click on the above link" //Example of a double quote string
"javascript"

Variables: Variables are data types that hold a value. Below is an example of variables.

const name = "Jacob";
const occupation = "student";
const height = 23;

In the above example, the variable const name, const occupation, and const height hold values of "Jacob", "student", and 23. The word const will be explained in a subsequent section.

Operators: Operators are the basic symbols used for mathematic operations. The following are examples of operators.

+ // addition operator 
- // subtraction operator
* // multiplication operator
/ // division operator

3 + 45
6 - 5
8 * 10
12 / 3

Comments: Javascript comments give clarity to a piece of code. The console or interpreter omits comments intentionally. Two forward-slashes (//) are used for a single comment.

Multiple comments use a single forward-slash (/) and an asterisk (), at the beginning of a statement or a code, and a single asterisk () and a backslash (/) at the end of a statement or a code.

The following are examples of a single line and a multiline comment.

// Javascript is a fun programming language. 
/* Learn Javascript and 
thank me later */

Keywords: Javascript keywords are called reserved words. Javascript keywords are 63 in number. Below are some lists of reserved keywords:
let
const
var
function
alert
static
this
try
while
Camel-case: Javascript camel-case is a standard format used to combine words to form a meaningful variable name. Examples of camel-case:

// Below are examples of camel-case
first_name
birth_date
javascript_varibales

// Using hyphen (-) to combine words in a valid declaration of a variable name
old-age
javascript-syntax

Case sensitivity: In Javascript, keywords, variables, and function names, are typed in a consistent format to conform to capitalization rules of case sensitivity.

Below are examples of case sensitivity in Javascript.

//Examples of case sensitivity
let firstName = "Henry";
function footBall();
const fathersAge = 59;

Final points

The header "What is Javascript?" captured an overview of the Javascript programming language. Subsequent headers introduced the reader to the applications and syntax of the programming language.

Javascript is the major component behind almost all the cool, user-friendly, and responsive web pages you have visited. Imagine knowing Javascript, and applying the knowledge in a particular field of interest.

Technical Writing Process for Absolute Beginners

Umar Shehu — Wed, 03 Jul 2024 07:07:48 +0000

Introduction

The technical writing process is a step-by-step guide to writing a technical document. If you are an absolute beginner in technical writing, and about to write a technical document, follow these steps to guide you from planning to publishing.

1. Planning Stage: Planning is the first and crucial step. Good planning is associated with a sound published document. Three key points to consider during the planning stage are:

Purpose: Purpose asked the question “Why?”. Ask yourself, what is the purpose of writing this document?
Scope: Scope asked the question “What?”. What do you want to write about?
Audience: Pay attention to your audience. The audience asked the question “Who?”. Who are you writing the document for?

2. Research and Learn: Research for data or information about your document. Read and learn about the information you have researched. You need to have a solid knowledge of your subject matter.

3. Edit and Write: Edit your gathered information in a structured format. Write in a clean, clear, and concise manner. The audience should find your document easy to read and understand.

4. Edit and Review: Edit your document again. Check for incorrect grammar, misaligned paragraphs, and omitted punctuation. Review your document from the planning stage to the edit-and-write stage.

5. Publish: Choose a platform easily accessible to your targeted audience and publish your document.

Closing thoughts

A brief introduction to the technical writing process and the basic steps were introduced to the reader. Use this article as a guide, to writing and publishing your first technical document.

I am Umar Shehu, a passionate technical writer and documentation engineer. I use my 3Cs (clean, clear, and concise) format, to reach my targeted audience.

Introduction to Cloud Computing: A Beginner's Guide

Umar Shehu — Mon, 24 Jun 2024 10:54:08 +0000

Introduction

Cloud computing combines two words, 'cloud’ and ‘computing’.
Cloud means virtual servers that are connected on the internet and the applications that are running on the virtual servers.

Computing as a service is the process of running applications or workloads on a hosted server. It has existed since the 1960s, when companies were given ‘rented time’ to perform operations on mainframe computers.

What is Cloud Computing?

Cloud Computing is renting/leasing computing resources and services based on demand and pay-as-you-go usage over the Internet.

Or the on-demand delivery of computing services-including storage, database, network, and computing power over the internet to offer fast innovation, flexible resources and economic of sales.

Types of Cloud Computing

The lists below are the types of Cloud Computing:

Private Cloud: This is a cloud environment where the computing resources and infrastructure are dedicated to only one customer. In a private cloud, computing resources such as networking, database, servers, storage and infrastructure maintenance are the host's sole responsibility.

Private clouds can be hosted on-premises, in Cloud Service Provider (CSP) data centres, or on rented infrastructure hosted in an off-site data centre.

Public Cloud: This is a cloud environment where infrastructure and computing resources are hosted by cloud CSPs. Computing resources connect to the internet for public use. In the public cloud, the use of resources or services is based on a pay-as-you-go pricing model.

The public cloud introduced the shared responsibility model, in which computing resources or services are managed by both the vendor and the customer.

Hybrid Cloud: This is the combination of public and private cloud to form a single cloud environment. A hybrid cloud connects these cloud environments in a flexible and cost-efficient approach to running applications and workloads of an organisation.

Organisations are free from the burden of expanding on-premise hardware needed to run application testing, offering faster time to market.

Multi-cloud: This uses different vendor’s services. For example, a multi-cloud environment can use SaaS from one vendor and PaaS from another. Enterprise companies use multi-cloud flexibility to select the best services for their applications and workload.

In a multi-cloud environment, vendor lock-in is no longer a concern. Organisations can choose any service from any CSP to suit their needs.

Below are the following benefits of Cloud Computing:

Cost Effective: The cloud promises affordable services and computing power for companies, enterprises and startups. Infrastructure upfront purchases of expensive hardware are the sole responsibility of the CSPs.

CSPs adopt the per-usage model of resources used. Idle resources or services are not paid for

Increase Speed and Agility: This feature enables organisations to use enterprise applications in a few minutes. The issue of waiting weeks or months to send requests to the IT department and get feedback has been resolved.
Unlimited Scalability: CSPs are now responsible for excessive capacity increases to meet peak customer demand and waste of capacity during low demand periods. Cloud computing scales up resources to match customers' respective demands in real time.
Enhance Strategic Values: CSPs provide enterprises with new innovations and upgraded technologies over their competitors.

Banks and retailers use AI as customer service to hasten response to customer queries and provide support to customers.

Types of Cloud Computing Services

The following lists are types of Cloud Computing Services:

Platform as a Service (PaaS): Software developers use PaaS based on per request. Software developers use PaaS to develop, run, and manage applications on a public cloud. CSPs main responsibility is to provide the following:
- developing tools
- software
- hardware
- Infrastructure

CSPs offering PaaS provide customers with resources such as databases, storage, compute power, and networking.

Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS): CSPs provide the fundamental computing resources such as servers, storage, and physical and virtual servers on the internet using a pay-as-you-go pricing model.

Iaas increases and decreases the use by customer base usage. Organisations no longer worry about up-front purchase of resources to accommodate periodic spikes in customer usage.

Software as a Service (SaaS): These are software applications or cloud-based applications hosted over the Internet. Users access the applications through:
- a web browser
- a dedicated desktop client
- an API that integrates with mobile operating systems
- desk-to-application

SaaS is offered based on a monthly subscription or a pay-as-you-go pricing model.

Serverless: In serverless, CSPs take the burden of all the back-end infrastructure management tasks, including scaling, scheduling, patching and provisioning.

Developers are to concentrate on the code and business logic of the applications. Serverless runs applications on a per-request basis. Customers only pay for resources used. Idle services are never paid for.

After-thought

Cloud computing is a technology that has existed for some time now. Organisations, enterprises, and startups are leveraging its numerous benefits.

Cost-optimization of cloud computing has been a major point of attraction to most customers. I hope the reader has enjoyed the subject matter and its promising opportunities in the cloud space.