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The first step towards becoming a code master is to become JavaScript.

1. Memorize the basic language features in JS.
2. Step through simple scripts exactly like the computer does.

Neither of these skills are as easy as the sound, and both of them are the foundation for everything else to come. Your end goal is to write applications large and small that provide practical solutions to real-world problems, but this is for later. You won't be able to do this until you've mastered your primary tool - the JavaScript language.

No matter how smart you are, or how good you are at what you did before learning to code, be prepared to struggle. This is totally normal. Being good at programming (or learning it quickly) are not indicators of your potential as a programmer.

Don't be discouraged! If you master these fundamentals now, you will be prepared to learn the principles of software development and real-world problem solving.

So have some patience and study hard! Dig in now, and keep at it every day. The more you take it slowly now, the faster you'll learn later.

Index

• learning objectives
• studying js

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Learning Objectives

• Functional Programming:
  • pure functions
  • avoiding side effects with arrays and objects
• Manipulating objects and arrays of data with pure functions
• Object Oriented Programming
  • Using this. to connect functions and objects
• Reading documentation
• Applying the Early Return design pattern
• Test Driven Development with Mocha & Assert
• Fundamental JS syntax & language features
• js script life cycle
• Using online code study & visualization tools
• Stepping through code
• functions & test cases
• inspecting & debugging
• reference vs. value
• operators and primitive types
• connecting JS to HTML
• separation of concerns
• event listeners 101

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Studying JS

1. Set aside a chapter in your notes for JavaScript language features:

• You'll want to build your own vocabulary list to keep track of new words as you come across them. One of the most common difficulties in the early stages of programming is just remembering all of the language features and vocab you come across!
• Having a complete list of everything you know, written in your own words, will be invaluable as you try to start to solve programming challenges on your own.
• Start building a collection of clear code samples & sketches that have helped you understand key concepts, we recommend trying to store them in a directory of Markdown files.

2. Familiarize yourself with these JS study tools:

• PythonTutor - learn how JS carries out your instructions behind the scenes
• Parsonizer - turn any snippet into a study exercise
• firefox devtools - paste and run JS snippets from any browser tab

4. Practice whatever keeps you motivated. If you find one tutorial too easy, hard, or boring, move on! What's important is that you can predict how JS will execute simple programs, not which tutorials you complete.

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