noun
JS
jay-ESS
JS (noun) means JavaScript, the programming language that runs in web browsers to make pages interactive, and on servers through runtimes such as Node. Example: “The whole front end is written in JS.”
noun
1
JavaScript, the programming language that runs in web browsers to make pages interactive, and on servers through runtimes such as Node.
"The whole front end is written in JS."
"Disable JS and half the site stops working."
2
The .js file extension, marking a file that contains JavaScript code.
"Put the helper functions in utils.js."
"The bundler spits out a single minified JS file."
How to use JS
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishShort for JavaScript, the code that makes web pages do things.
When to use it
Informal shorthand among developers; write JavaScript in full in formal documentation.
Memory tip
Say the letters, jay-ess. It takes no article when naming the language: 'written in JS', not 'in the JS'.
Trace the full origin ↓
Easily confused with
JS vs Java
JS vs TS
JS vs JSON
Common pairings
vanilla JS
JS bundle
JS framework
plain JS
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The whole front end is written in _____.
Etymology
An initialism of JavaScript.
Synonyms
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Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between JS and Java?
They are unrelated languages that share part of a name for historical marketing reasons. JavaScript runs in browsers and on Node servers and is dynamically typed; Java is a separate, statically typed language usually compiled to run on the Java Virtual Machine.
What is the difference between JS and TS?
TS is TypeScript, which is JavaScript plus a static type system. TypeScript compiles down to plain JavaScript, so anything written in TS ends up running as JS.
Is JS the same as ECMAScript?
Effectively yes in everyday use. ECMAScript is the formal standard the language is defined by, and JavaScript is the name of the implementations that follow it, which is why versions get called ES6 or ES2020.
What is the meaning of JS?
"JS" (noun) means javaScript, the programming language that runs in web browsers to make pages interactive, and on servers through runtimes such as Node.
