The future of using Javascript in Web pages; is it worth it?

Question

As far as using Javascript, I know it has it's uses, but I also know that a lot of users turn off Javascript in their browsers because they can be exposed to security breaches and viruses and the sort.

So far I have been learning xHTML, CSS, PHP, MySQL, and Photoshop. I have intentionally not studied Javascript, nor Ajax. Do you see a future for Javascript, and do you think I should take the time to learn the language?

Answer 1

Like every other scripting language that is out there, it is always good to have some idea about how it is used, and what can be done with JavaScript.

Although I do agree that a lot of users turn off their javascript, JavaScripting (in my sense) does come in very useful in saving processing time for doing first level user side form validations and user input validations. Of course, to prevent malicious users, you would still do server-side validation as well.

With the introduction of other technologies as well, such as the .Net, JavaScript would still play a part in websites to come due to the simplicity of the way it is build. Maybe instead of actually "learning" how to code the language, learn what is the idea behind using the JavaScript and know what can be done. Learn some of the terminologies used, and if next time, you really need to code something in JavaScript, it would help you narrow down the search results from a google search.

Answer 2

well the future ( or part of it) is in ajax
ajax allows the server to communicate directly with the data so content is refreshed dynamically
check out adobe.com, microsoft.com, and such sites.

it's all in how users and programmers want it to go.
personally i hate javascript and java in general

Answer 3

Javascript may *also* be used as the basis of ASP transactions, if you wish, instead of VB...so if you wish to use ol' ASP, then javascript may be worth your while.