Download Javascript on my Computer
From LoveToKnow Web-Design
"How do I download JavaScript on my computer?" At some point, either you or someone you know may ask that question. Try to be patient; even though the question doesn't make sense, it provides an opportunity to learn.
No Assembly Required
The problem with the question lies in the fact that JavaScript is not a "stand-alone" application - rather, it is a method of coding that increases the interactivity of a web page by providing client-side operations before the user sees the web page. This code is in the web page that the site owners put on their server; it is downloaded as part of the HTML document that you "request" through your web browser.
In other words, all you have to do to "download JavaScript" on your computer is open a web page that has JavaScript in it and make sure that your browser is enabled to run the Javascript. The web designer (or developer) has put, somewhere in either the HEAD or BODY of the page, some code that begins with a <!-- and ends with --!>. That's where the JavaScript lives, separate from all the "regular" HyperText Markup Language (aka HTML).Keeping Your Computer Safe
There's a very good reason for this separation of JavaScript from HTML. HTML is a static, rendering language, and just as the name indicates, it's designed to "markup" text (or tell the computer which text should be bold, larger, italicized, etc.). The point is, it doesn't actually do anything with the the data except affect how it looks - no real computing power is needed.
JavaScript, however, is a computer language. It is designed to take in variables, manipulate them, and then output the results. Unlike server-side scripts, which do the computing work before the page gets to your computer, JavaScript uses your computer's power to do the work. This use of your computer is meant to be benevolent, of course - except when it's not. Unscrupulous coders use JavaScript to prey on unshielded browsers and computers to spread viruses and malware and cause many other problems. Users of MicroSoft Internet Explorer are especially vulnerable.
Turn It Off
For this reason, many web security experts recommend that you disable JavaScript entirely. In fact, it's such a common task that almost all browsers make it very easy to disable Javascript in the settings. This doesn't damage your computer at all; it simply tells the browser to ignore all the things that happen between the <!-- and --!> tags.This obviously eliminates many of the features of some websites, such as stock tickers and other up-to-date, real-time parts of a web page. However, it also keeps annoying pop-ups, phishing programs, and other antagonistic scripts from gaining a foothold on your computer. Most developers make sure that their websites can still communicate the message they want whether JavaScript is enabled or not; others put the interactive parts into other kinds of interactivity such as CSS, AJAX, Flash, and widgets.
"No Need to Download JavaScript on my Computer!"
Before this thought makes you too relieved, keep in mind that while things like Activex and Flash are safer than JavaScript, they actually do require you to download plug-ins and additional applications. For that matter, as hackers find new ways to get into your computer, there are always updated versions of browsers, security patches, service packs, and more that need to be downloaded. Most computer OS's have update notification programs that let you know when updates are necessary; but it pays to be vigilant and alert.
Most of the time, you won't even know (or need to know) when you've downloaded some JavaScript onto your computer. The best web pages simply work without you having to worry about "how." Just enjoy the web for what it is, a great pool of information, entertainment, and people connecting with people.
Learn More
This page has been accessed 23 times. This page was last modified 02:16, 10 November 2009.
© 2006-2009 LoveToKnow Corp.
Print this page
Follow ltk on twitter
Visit us on facebook