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JavaScript•JavaScript Foundations

JavaScript Syntax

Flash cards

Review the key moves

1/4
Core idea

What is the main idea behind JavaScript Syntax?

Lesson checks

Practice each idea before moving on

Short Mimo-style checks built from this lesson's code, terms, and sequence.

1Quick choice

Which statement best captures the main point of this lesson?

2Fill blank

Complete the missing token from the example code.

// ___ to Declare variables:
3Order

Put the learning moves in the order that makes the concept easiest to apply.

JavaScript Variables
JavaScript Keywords
JavaScript Literals

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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JavaScript Operators