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JavaScript•JavaScript Foundations

JavaScript Syntax

Syntax Rules

// How to Declare variables:
let x = 5;
let y = 6;
// How to Compute values:
let z = x + y;
// I am a Comment. I do Nothing

JavaScript Values

The JavaScript syntax defines two types of values:

  • Literals (Fixed values)
  • Variables (Variable values)

JavaScript Literals

The most important syntax rules for literals (fixed values) are:

Numbers are written with or without decimals:

10.50
1001

Strings are text, written within double or single quotes:

"John Doe"
'John Doe'

JavaScript Keywords

JavaScript keywords are used to defines actions to be performed.

The let and const keywords create variables:

Example

let x = 5;
const fname = "John";

JavaScript keywords are case-sensitive .

JavaScript does not interpret LET or Let as the keyword let .

JavaScript Variables

Variables are containers for storing data values .

Variables must be identified with unique names .

Example

// Define x as a variable
let x;
// Assign the value 6 to x x = 6;

JavaScript Identifiers

An identifier is the name you give to a variable.

Rules for identifiers

  • Must start with a letter, _, or $
  • Can contain digits after the first character
  • Cannot be a reserved keyword (let, const, if, etc.)
  • Are case-sensitive

JavaScript Operators

JavaScript assignment operators (=) assign values to variables:

Example

let x = 5;
let y = 6;
let sum = x + y;

JavaScript uses arithmetic operators ( + - * / ) to compute values:

5 * 10

JavaScript Expressions

An expression is a combination of values, variables, and operators, which computes to a value.

(5 + 6) * 10

JavaScript is Case Sensitive

JavaScript identifiers are case sensitive .

The variables lastName and lastname , are different variables:

Example

let lastName = "Doe";
let lastname = "Peterson";

JavaScript and Camel Case

Historically, programmers have used different ways of joining multiple words into one variable name:

Hyphens

first-name, last-name, master-card, inter-city.

Hyphens are not allowed in JavaScript. They are reserved for subtractions.

Underscore

first_name, last_name, master_card, inter_city.

Upper Camel Case (Pascal Case)

FirstName, LastName, MasterCard, InterCity.

Lower Camel Case: firstName, lastName, masterCard, interCity. JavaScript programmers tend to use lower camel case. Video: JavaScript Syntax

Lower Camel Case

firstName, lastName, masterCard, interCity.

JavaScript programmers tend to use lower camel case.

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