Hi folks,

 

I have just recently bought a book on Javascript as I understand it should be learned by anyone interested in web design. I roughly understand how the language works now, but wanted to know what can Javascript do for me? i.e what are the top 10 practical uses of Javascript in web design?

 

Thanks for your help

Here are some, not in order of importance:-

 

1. Dropdown menus (pure CSS can do these but generally CSS menus are hover-only while javascript menus can be click-and-hold or hover. Unusual CSS click menu here:- http://www.visibilityinherit.com/projects/popup-menu-demo4.php#submenu1 (no javascript needed for most browsers but IE needs ActiveX).

 

2. Image slide shows and other image effects http://www.hotscripts.com/category/javascript/scripts-programs/

 

3. Show/hide or Expand/collapse paragraphs http://javascript.internet.com/miscellaneous/expand-collapse-paragraph.html

 

4. Alternative stylesheets which need to "sniff" for different browsers or operating systems

http://www.alistapart.com/articles/alternate/

http://rafael.adm.br/css_browser_selector/

 

5. Chained select boxes http://www.dynamicdrive.com/dynamicindex16/chainedselects/index.htm

 

6. Image roll-overs (CSS can do these).

 

7. Rounded corners http://www.curvycorners.net/

 

8. Email scripts http://www.hotscripts.com/category/javascript/scripts-programs/email-scripts/

 

9. Popup windows http://javascript.internet.com/generators/popup-window.html

 

10. Time and date functions.

It's basically used to enhance the user's experience but should never be used as the only functional option. Everything you do in javascript should also be available in a non-javascript way.

 

One thing Wickham missed was client side form validation.

 

If you get in to server-side stuff javascript can be used with this too make a smoother ui.

Thanks for these guys. This is a great help. If there are any more important ones please let me know. A top 10 may be too limited?

 

Thanks again!!