Avoiding the Lure of JavaScript

JavaScript has come a long way since it was made in mid-90s. As the client side programming language, developers have come to realize how efficient JavaScript would be if the hardware would be powerful enough to support the process.

With the development of Ajax as a programming technique, JavaScript is now regarded as one of the most popular language. As the demand for better user interface with powerful online processes increases, the demand for JavaScript, Ajax and other client side languages is increasing. It’s almost impossible not to see JavaScript in action as they are already adopted in many popular websites.

The lure of JavaScript has made a lot of developers rethink about the programming language they are currently using. While most of the programming languages are still applicable today, the only way of keeping up with latest in website and applications development is to learn JavaScript.

But it is not only the fact that some of the latest online applications are done with JavaScript, the fact that an application that could be launched online without any prior requirements from users has attracted a lot of developers. Although it might be challenging to learn at first, the ability to build this type of application is worth it.

Overdoing JavaScript

But developing JavaScript and Ajax based applications could be easily overdone by developers in many situations. Although JavaScript have very attractive features, there are situations wherein JavaScript might not be feasible at all. Forcing the programming language to users might just force them to walk away from the online application. There are situations wherein JavaScript might not be usable at all.

• Dial-Up Connection – although JavaScript is seen to be usable even in slow connections, the reality is very different. Users still have a hard time using JavaScript and Ajax when they are loaded in slower internet connections. Streaming information could easily drain the bandwidth which ultimately prevents users from doing other online tasks.

• Weaker Devices – While it is true that iPhone and other high-end mobile phones could easily handle JavaScript and Ajax based online applications, the number of users are very limited. The number of mobile phone users that actually has iPhone and other high-end mobile phones are very small. Developing countries are also gunning for more laptops and UMPCs for children but, again, the processing power and internet connectivity is still slow.

Innovations Needed

JavaScript ultimately needs innovation in the sense that it will have to ask developers to think out of the box instead of forcing users to deal with JavaScript. Of course, this should be expected from some developers as many developers are thinking of ways to stand among the group and an innovative feature in JavaScript will surely place any developer at par with the world’s best.

The challenge of JavaScript in terms of connectivity and devices may be addressed in the future. For now, users would have to deal with the limitations on JavaScript but everyone is hopeful that JavaScript would be able to adapt and provide access to everyone, anywhere.