Learn JavaScript Basics with These 10 Free Resources This is the first post of a series called ‘Learn JavaScript for Free’ – in these chapters you will find excellent materials and a roadmap for learning JS from scratch. As the JavaScript community is one of the best out there, the series will entirely rely on free JavaScript resources If you are looking to learn JavaScript, or just want to brush up on the JavaScript basics, then you are in luck. There are currently some amazing resources available online to help you understand and get to grips with JavaScript. And even better, most of the are free. In this article, I have put together a variety of free resources (in no particular order) that you can easily access to help you learn the JavaScript basics. From courses and videos, to written guides and blogs, there is something here for everyone. Enjoy…
Why Learn JavaScript Now? JavaScript is almost everywhere: in your browser, web apps, mobile apps, cloud services, even IoT devices. It’s easy to get started with it as all you need is a plain text editor and a browser. It is a beginner friendly language, with an awesome community around it. You can code both frontend and backend with JavaScript, which makes it extremely useful.
1. Mozilla Developer Network
The Mozilla Developer Network contains in-depth guides to help people understand and use various web technologies. An overview of JavaScript for total beginners is available, as well as a complete JavaScript Guide to learning and using this language. The JavaScript Guide is very concise, to the point and importantly easy to understand. It contains a full overview of JavaScript basic principles, with lessons and examples to help readers understand the different concepts. It is also divided into chapters and subchapters, so it can easily be picked up and put down as and when you need it.
However, a word of warning for those who have a short attention span. All of the information shared on the Mozilla Developer Network is in text format only. So if you need a resource that involves more interaction than just reading, this JavaScript Guide may not be for you.
2. Codecademy
Codecademy is a popular resource that helps people learn JavaScript for free. Boasting a community of over 25 million from around the globe, Codeacademy shares stories of how their courses have helped the careers of many individuals. Codeacademy runs numerous courses, with the majority of beginner courses being free. The free ‘Learn JavaScript‘ course teaches the fundamentals of JavaScript programming. Starting at a complete beginner level, you will learn the correct terminology, and work up to building your own projects with JavaScript. Codeacademy courses are well known for their fun and interactive take on teaching. Technical language is kept to a real minimum, and difficult concepts are explained in the most basic of terms. Instructions, hints, and help are also provided throughout the course, providing that extra support when you need it.
3. Free Code Camp
Free Code Camp is an extremely impressive operation. Not only does it train beginners to code like pros, but its students are also involved in building apps and programs for non-profit organizations. So by the time you finish the Free Code Camp courses, you will have produced apps that are actually used by the public. Free Code Camp doesn’t just provide free courses. Once you sign up, you become part of a thriving community, with access to live chat, constantly updated research, videos, and much more.
4. David Walsh Blog
The David Walsh Blog is a popular coding blog. David Walsh publishes, amongst other types of articles, practical and helpful step-by-step JavaScript tutorials. Most of these are beginner friendly, or cover the JavaScript basics, so the majority of topics are accessible to the masses. If you want to keep up to date with JavaScript news then following David Walsh’s blog is a great way to do so. Written in a thoughtful and interesting way, this blog has a friendly community feeling, and David Walsh seems like a genuinely nice guy.
5. edX
edX was founded by Harvard University. Its intention is to offer high-quality education from the world’s best universities to learners across the globe. edX offers an assortment of Computer Science courses, with a number of these focusing on JavaScript. These include ‘JavaScript Introduction’, ‘Introduction to HTML and JavaScript’ and ‘Programming the web with JavaScript’. The majority of the courses available on edX are free. However, if you want an official certificate that recognizes your completion of a course, then you will need to pay.
6. Simpliv
Simpliv provides free online courses and apps on programming and web development. Courses are split into modules. Each module is made up of key teaching points, examples, questions for students to answer, and lots of hands-on experience. Certificates are also awarded to those who complete each course. Simpliv has a strong and active community. If you are unsure of a line of code, the question and answer page is well used, with members of the community ready to help. Members also share code they have written in the ‘Code Playground’ and vote on their favorite projects.
7. SitePoint
SitePoint is an exciting resource that is well respected by the JavaScript community. Articles are regularly published by JavaScript experts, with different tutorials catering for all levels of
experience. An active community forum discusses and advises on topics, problems and other aspects of JavaScript as they arise. Podcasts, eBooks and courses are also all available on SitePoint, although some of these are premium products. So whether you learn best from reading, watching videos, listening, or engaging with others, SitePoint provides a range of learning methods for you to choose from.
8. EggHead
EggHead is not for total beginners. But if you have theJavaScript basics under your belt and are now looking to really improve your programming skills, then EggHead may be the resource for you. EggHead provides technical courses, aimed at covering key aspects of JavaScript. Courses are mostly split into a number of short bite-sized videos, so students don’t get bogged down in info. A Pro Membership is also offered, allowing you to join the community, access courses offline, and much more.
9. JavaScript Jabber
If you are looking for a weekly podcast to help you learn JavaScript then you should subscribe to JavaScript Jabber. Hosted by DevChat.tv, these podcasts cover all things JavaScript, helping you understand front-end development, frameworks, and lots more. DevChat.tv runs a selection of different podcasts, for programmers, techies, and freelancers. It also offers webinars and remote conferences, so worth keeping your eye on.
10. Envato Tuts+
Proving themselves again and again to be the go-to site for courses and tutorials, Envato Tuts+ provides some great resources for those looking to learn JavaScript basics. Tuts+ offers a
selection of ‘how-to’ tutorials, eBooks and online courses. However, it is mainly only the tutorials that you can access for free.
11. Khan Academy
The Khan Academy’s mission is to provide free education for anyone, anywhere. The academy dedicates an extensive section on computer programming, enabling you to start at the most basic level or take courses in the advanced application of JavaScript. Catering for a range of needs and competencies, there is something here for everyone.
12. Code School
Code School offers a number of different resources to help you learn JavaScript. The main focus for Code School is their premium courses. However, the free resources they offer are so varied and useful they are well worth a mention.
On Code School’s website, learners can access 14 introductory courses and projects, their blog, videos, and more. These all cater for a range of abilities, so whether you are a beginner, or looking to advance your JavaScript knowledge, there is something here for everyone. Code School run FiveJS, a weekly podcast sharing and discussing the most recent JavaScript news. They also run javascript.com, a website for the JavaScript community. This site particularly contains great information for beginners, including a very basic introductory course and clear explanations of JavaScript’s linguistic terms.
Final Thoughts on Free Resources to Help You Learn JavaScript As you can see, if you are looking to learn JavaScript there are plenty of free courses, tutorials, eBooks, podcasts, and many more resources available online. I’ve only had room to include 12 JavaScript resources, but if you have used any that I have missed and think are worth a share, please add them in the comments below. Let’s see if we can create a full and comprehensive list of free resources to help our community learn JavaScript. Please add useful resources in the comments below…