Video Game Developer with JavaScript Salary in 2024

Where is JavaScript used?

JavaScript Alternatives

TypeScript

TypeScript is a strongly typed superset of JavaScript that compiles to plain JavaScript. It provides optional static typing, enhanced IDE support, and better scalability for large codebases.

// TypeScript Code Example:
function greet(name: string) {
    console.log('Hello, ' + name.toUpperCase() + '!!');
}
greet('Developer');

• Enhances code quality and understandability.

• Ideal for large-scale applications.

• Requires compilation step.

• Some learning curve for JS developers.

• Rich IDE support with autocompletion.

Dart

Dart is a scalable language optimized for building UI, with a reactive framework like Flutter for crafting natively compiled apps for mobile, web, and desktop.

// Dart Code Example:
void main() {
  print('Hello, Dart!');
}

• Highly performant on multiple platforms.

• Steeper learning curve for non-Java/C# devs.

• Favors expressive and robust applications.

• Less popular than JavaScript in the web domain.

• Strong ecosystem with Flutter for UI development.

CoffeeScript

CoffeeScript is a little language that compiles into JavaScript. It provides syntactic sugar inspired by Ruby, Python and Haskell to enhance JavaScript's brevity and readability.

# CoffeeScript Code Example:
greet = (name) -> console.log "Hello, #{name}!"
greet 'World'

• Clearer and more concise syntax than JavaScript.

• Limited community and resources.

• Improves code readability and writability.

• Additional compile step can slow down development.

• Less verbose and reduced boilerplate code.

Quick Facts about JavaScript

Conceived in a Hurry: The Birth of JavaScript

Imagine cooking up a programming language in just 10 days! That's what Brendan Eich did back in 1995. As if he was on a TV cooking contest, he whipped up JavaScript for Netscape, giving birth to a language that would soon be everywhere like glitter at a craft fair. At first, it was called Mocha, which sounds more like a Starbucks order, but soon morphed into JavaScript, a marketing move to mooch off Java's fame. And just like that, an internet rockstar was born!

From Vanilla to Full-Flavored ECMAScript

JavaScript is like a cheese that keeps maturing. What started out as a simple scripting language is now governed by ECMAScript standards, which sounds like a council of wizards deciding the fate of code. From ES1 in 1997 to the recent ES2020, JavaScript has been pulling rabbits out of hats with promises, async/await, and spread operators, making coders’ lives more magical.

// From callbacks to the magic of async/await
async function getTheGoodStuff(url) {
  let treasureChest = await fetch(url);
  let gold = await treasureChest.json();
  console.log(gold);
}

Not Just for Browsers Anymore

Some techies thought JavaScript was just a browser’s one-trick pony, but boy, were they wrong! Node.js galloped in and changed the game in 2009. This environment enabled JavaScript to sprint outside the browser and onto servers, which was like teaching a fish to ride a bicycle. Now it's not just web pages that JavaScript can animate, but whole servers that dance to its tune!

// JavaScript taking over the server side
const http = require('http');

http.createServer((req, res) => {
  res.writeHead(200, {'Content-Type': 'text/plain'});
  res.end('Look ma, I can server!');
}).listen(1337, '127.0.0.1');

What is the difference between Junior, Middle, Senior and Expert JavaScript developer?

Top 10 JavaScript Related Tech

1. 
   

   JavaScript (The Mother Tongue)

   
   

   
   In the realm of coding, JavaScript sits on the throne, lording over the web like a digital king. It’s the scripting language that makes web pages tickle your eyeballs with interactivity. It’s everywhere - like a ninja, but less stealthy and more in-your-face with pop-ups.

   
                   
                       // Classic 'Hello, World!' in JavaScript
                       console.log('Hello, World!');
                   
               

   
   

    

1. 
   

   Node.js (The Backend Magician)

   
   

   
   Ah, Node.js, the Swiss Army knife of JavaScript runtimes. It’s how JS flipped the script from a front-end only diva to a full stack rockstar. With Node.js, you can schmooze with databases and servers, whisper sweet nothings to APIs, and do all sorts of backend wizardry.

   
                   
                       // A simple Node.js server that says 'Hello World'
                       const http = require('http');
                       http.createServer((req, res) => {
                           res.write('Hello World!');
                           res.end();
                       }).listen(3000);
                   
               

   
   

    

1. 
   

   React (The UI Artiste)

   
   

   
   Imagine a painter, but instead of brushes, they wield components. React takes building user interfaces to a fine art. It’s like Lego for adults – you can snap together bits of UI and make an app that looks good without your users wanting to gouge their eyes out.

   
                   
                       // An appetizer of React: A simple component
                       class HelloMessage extends React.Component {
                         render() {
                           return <div>Hello {this.props.name}!</div>;
                         }
                       }
                       ReactDOM.render(<HelloMessage name="Taylor" />, document.getElementById('root'));
                   
               

   
   

    

1. 
   

   Vue.js (The Progressive Framework)

   
   

   
   It’s the new kid on the block compared to Angular and React, but Vue.js is like that charming friend who gets along with everyone. Its progressive nature means you can be as committed as you want; start small with a sprinkle of reactivity on a page or go full SPA (Single Page Application) – Vue’s got your back.

   
                   
                       // A Vue.js instance controlling a simple #app element
                       new Vue({
                         el: '#app',
                         data: {
                           message: 'Hello Vue.js!'
                         }
                       });
                   
               

   
   

    

1. 
   

   Angular (The Full-Blown SPA Architect)

   
   

   
   For those who like their apps like they like their coffee – robust and full-bodied – Angular is the go-to. It’s an all-in-one solution for building complex web apps that can probably do your taxes and fold your laundry. Take that, React!

   
                   
                       // A taste of Angular: a basic component
                       import { Component } from '@angular/core';
                       @Component({
                         selector: 'app-root',
                         template: `<h1>Hello {{title}}!</h1>`,
                       })
                       export class AppComponent {
                         title = 'world';
                       }
                   
               

   
   

    

1. 
   

   Webpack (The Bundling Bandit)

   
   

   
   Because nobody likes to wait for a million files to load, Webpack takes all your precious code and assets and smushes them into tidy little packages. It might feel like overkill for your cat blog, but when you need to scale, Webpack’s your bundling bouncer, keeping load times on a tight leash.

   
                   
                       // Webpack config snippet to give you a taste
                       module.exports = {
                         entry: './src/index.js',
                         output: {
                           filename: 'bundle.js'
                         }
                       };
                   
               

   
   

    

1. 
   

   Redux (The State Sultan)

   
   

   
   When your app’s state management resembles a spaghetti monster, Redux enters the stage. It’s the source of truth that stores your state in one place and allows you to manage it like a zen master, untangling that vicious noodle monster into a neatly organized bento box.

   
                   
                       // Redux in a nutshell: Reducer function
                       function counter(state = 0, action) {
                         switch (action.type) {
                           case 'INCREMENT':
                             return state + 1;
                           case 'DECREMENT':
                             return state - 1;
                           default:
                             return state;
                         }
                       }
                   
               

   
   

    

1. 
   

   TypeScript (The JavaScript Whisperer)

   
   

   
   TypeScript is JavaScript's bigger, smarter sibling. It's like having a grammar-obsessed friend proofread your code. It adds types to JS to keep your code from acting like a clumsy oaf, tripping over undefined variables and unexpected types.

   
                   
                       // TypeScript: JavaScript with superpowers
                       function greet(person: string, date: Date): string {
                           return `Hello ${person}, today is ${date.toDateString()}!`;
                       }
                       greet("Brendan Eich", new Date());
                   
               

   
   

    

1. 
   

   ES6+ (The Evolving Specification)

   
   

   
   ES6 brought JavaScript out of the stone age with new syntax and features like arrow functions, classes, and template strings. It’s like going from flip phone text messaging to sending iMessages with tap-backs and confetti. It’s still the same language but with more spice.

   
                   
                       // ES6+ arrow functions are the bee's knees
                       const add = (a, b) => a + b;
                       console.log(add(2, 3)); // Outputs: 5
                   
               

   
   

    

1. 
   

   Jest (The Testing Jester)

   
   

   
   Writing tests isn’t just for the paranoid. Jest makes it a party! It’s a delightful JavaScript testing framework that runs your tests with the speed of a gazelle chased by a cheetah. Jest ensures that your code doesn't break like a cookie in a toddler’s hand.

   
                   
                       // A simple Jest test to check if truth is truthy
                       test('the truth', () => {
                         expect(true).toBeTruthy();
                       });