JavaScript Tutorial: Build a Virtual Pet in 20 Minutes [Part 1 of 2]

Ready to learn JavaScript? Explore the basics while you build a virtual pet. See how JS logic works in action, even if you’re new to programming. Watch Part 2 here: bigmarker.com/thinkful/Intro-to-JavaScript-Buil…

►►► Click here for a pdf outline of this content: bit.ly/2VqMDNr
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What is JavaScript:

JavaScript (JS) is one of the most common and powerful programming languages. It allows developers to create interactive, dynamic website features.

The key features of JavaScript are:
* Variables - containers that store information
* Comments - small pieces of text that can be added throughout the code but cannot be detected by the browser
* Operators - math symbols used throughout JS code
* Conditionals - lines of code, such as if/then statements, that call for an action based on a condition
* Functions - a JS statement that you can reuse later
* Events - actions that are programmed to happen in response to specific browser activity

In this JavaScript tutorial for beginners, you’ll see all of these elements come together.
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JavaScript Compared to Other Coding Languages:

JavaScript is a dynamic language, whereas Java, HTML and C+ are static. JS is interpreted by the browser in real time, allowing you to create interactive elements on the page.

This JavaScript crash course is perfect for anyone who is new to JS, or programming in general.
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What You’ll Learn In This Video:

This is an introduction to JavaScript, including the syntax and logic. We believe the best way to learn JavaScript is by building something hands-on. That’s why we created this virtual pet project, which goes beyond the usual JavaScript course material: you’ll have the chance to bring something to life from the ground up, while also teaching JavaScript for beginners.

We’ll cover all the JavaScript basics, including:
* Introduction to Thinkful
* Your 20 minute JavaScript project: build a virtual pet
* Intro to Glitch
* Intro to JavaScript
* JavaScript best practices: understanding variables
* How to build your virtual pet
* JavaScript functions
* Introducing the pet
* Intro to conditional statements
* Tools for continued learning
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Video Chapters:

0:18 - Intro to Thinkful
3:02 - Building a virtual pet
4:49 - Starter code
5:20 - Intro to Glitch
7:11 - Defining variables
16:50 - Popular JS libraries
18:05 - How to write a variable
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Additional Resources:

➜ Our do’s and don’ts for learning to code: thinkful.com/blog/dos-and-donts-learning-to-cod…
➜ Interview questions every developer should know: thinkful.com/blog/10-interview-questions-every-…
➜ Browse more webinars about software development and other tech careers: bit.ly/3aqaCkN
➜ Explore our Software Engineering Flex (part-time) course: bit.ly/youtube-engineering-flex
➜ Explore our Software Engineering Immersion (full-time) course: bit.ly/youtube-engineering-immersion
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Other Helpful Videos:

➜ 4 principles for learning to code, fast: youtube.com/watch?v=xv_viTuyrHw
➜ SQL Tutorial: youtube.com/watch?v=XOaEBIAtBg0&t=6s
➜ Browse more Thinkful webinars about breaking into tech: thinkful.com/webinars/
➜ Thinkful career prep info session: youtube.com/watch?v=Csn7iBQGjtM
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Where to Find Us:

Follow us for expert insight into launching your tech career.

thinkful.com/blog/tag/software-engineering
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Twitter - @thinkful
Facebook - facebook.com/thinkful
LinkedIn - linkedin.com/school/thinkful
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About Us:

Thinkful offers online tech courses in software engineering, UX/UI design, data analytics, data science, product management and digital marketing. Our students learn the skills top employers are looking for. And thanks to our tuition refund guarantee, if you don’t get a job within six months of graduating, you don’t pay a cent. Every course comes with a personal mentor who’s experienced in the field, as well as career coaches and an academic success manager.

Visit thinkful.com for more about our courses.