What is JavaScript?

Newbie Introduction to the Web

Javascript code is a scripting language designed for use within a web page and/or on a web server. It is used to create special effects within a web page. Links, images and forms can all be manipulated using this powerful technology.

Unlike CGI scripts, javascript codes can be placed directly into your HTML code. It can also reside on your server and be called from a small code within your web page.

If you'd like to place your javascript code within a file on your server, you will need to open a plain text editor and place your javascript code within the editor. The javascript code file should then be saved with a .js extension.

In order to call your javascript code, you will need to link to the file. You can do so by placing a small javascript code within the HTML of your web page that looks something like this:

<SCRIPT type="text/javascript" src="http://www.yoursite.com/yourfile.js">

This powerful scripting language can be used to create special effects within your web page, such as link effects, mouseovers, image roll overs, navigational systems and much more. You can even use javascript codes to dynamically update your web site!

Although javascript codes can certainly help you spice up your web site, there are many scripts that your visitors may find irritating. Try to avoid scripts such as mouse trailers, mouseover sounds, mouseover pop up windows and mouseover redirects.

Carefully select scripts that will enhance your visitors experience and encourage them to return in the future.

So what's this CGI you mentioned a while back?
The Common Gateway Interface (CGI) is a standard for interfacing external applications with information servers, such as HTTP or Web servers.

A plain HTML document that the Web daemon (it's not demon - even though I prefer to call it that) retrieves is static, which means it exists in a constant state: a text file that doesn't change.

A CGI program, on the other hand, is executed in real-time (I guess it means while you are downloading a web page), so that it can output dynamic information. So what you are telling me is that everything changes one way or another and change remains the only constant.