How to Learn JavaScript Properly | JavaScript is Sexy

(You Will Learn the Full JavaScript Language, jQuery, and HTML5)

Duration: 5 to 6 weeks.
Prerequisite: Completed at least middle school.

This article gives you a structured and insightful road map on how you should learn JavaScript properly and thoroughly.

You do want to learn JavaScript; it is why you are here, and you have made a wise decision, for if you want to develop modern websites and web applications (including an internet startup), you need to know JavaScript. And while there are more than enough online resources to teach you JavaScript, finding the most efficient and beneficial method to learn the “language of the web” is not easy and could be frustrating.

This course outline is as valuable as any college course (or a few courses combined), because if you complete it, you will have learned enough to develop modern web applications, and consequently you will have become a highly sought-after programmer—JavaScript developers are in high demand today.

Proven Method
This is a proven method, my 13-year-old daughter followed this road map and she has successfully learned JavaScript to the extent that she works for me in her spare time on some professional JavaScript projects. Even though she hasn’t completed all the advanced chapters noted below, she has still learned enough of the language that she knows how to use JavaScript as a tool.

I have also read all the books I noted in this post, and they have been instrumental in my becoming proficient in the language.

In addition, Chuck Jonhston has followed this roadmap and he writes about his experience. He states, “I’ve learned more in the past two weeks about JavaScript [than] I have in the previous two years combined. It’s coming down to 3 main points: following directions, taking the time, and having persistence.” Here is a link to his blog post on his experience learning JS with this roadmap:
Thoughts on How to Learn JavaScript properly

How Not To Learn JavaScript

•  Do not try to learn JavaScript the first time from bits of unrelated or related JavaScript tutorials online—this is the worst way to learn a programming language. It could work for some after countless such tutorials, but it is an inefficient process that lacks the proper hierarchical structure needed for learning a subject matter thoroughly. And this could lead to your being stuck quite frequently, when you start to build websites and web applications with the language. In short, you will not have the know-how you need to use that language as a tool—as your tool.
• In addition, some people will recommend you learn JavaScript by reading “JavaScript: The Good Parts,” by the venerable JavaScript godfather Douglas Crockford. It is a buzzy, cliche thing for developers to recommend this book. But while Mr. Crockford, who is immensely knowledgeable in JavaScript, is seen as the Einstein of the JavaScript world, his book, The Good Parts, is not a good JavaScript book for beginners. Crockford’s book does not explain the JavaScript concepts in a thorough, clear, easily digestible form. I recommend you read The Good Parts after you have successfully completed all the sections below, if you still need to learn more JavaScript.
• And do not try to learn the language by using only Codecademy, because while you will know how to program bits of very small JavaScript tasks, you absolutely will not have learned enough to build modern web applications. Why learn only a tenth of the language, it is a waste of your time. I do recommend Codecademy below as a supplemental learning resource, however, to use along with specific chapters from the two JavaScript books you will be using.

Let’s Begin

You will learn just about the full JavaScript language (and jQuery) in 6 weeks, if you complete all the sections below. If you don’t have enough time to commit to do all the sections in 6 weeks (which is relatively aggressive schedule), try to do it in no more than 8 weeks. The longer you take, the harder it will be for you to grasp and remember everything you learn.

Resources You Will Need to Get Started

Weeks 1 and 2

If you do not already know HTML and CSS very well, complete the Web Fundamentals Track on Codecademy, but skip chapters 7 (JavaScript on the web) and 8 (Build a Webpage)—complete these 2 chapters after the first item below (Chapters 1 to 3 of Professional JavaScript). Get Professional JavaScript for Web Developers (3rd Edition, 2012) by Nicholas Zakas. Don’t make the name mislead you into thinking it is an advanced book, this book is for absolute beginners and advanced programmers alike. I do not know Nicholas Zakas personally, but he is by far the best programming teacher I have learned from. I used the word “teacher” because he writes in a manner similar to a skilled, experienced teacher patiently and thoroughly explaining a subject matter to his or her students in a classroom. Nicholas is excellent at explaining complex and simple matters in a way that anyone (even an untrained, uneducated Janitor) can understand. And most satisfying is the way he explains each topic: He first states and describes the topic, then he shows us an example, and he closes with an explanation of the said example. And on top of that, he discusses the browser compatibility for each JavaScript native method. Read Chapters 1 to 3 of the aforementioned Professional JavaScript book. Work through sections 1 to 4 of the JavaScript Fundamentals track on Codecademy Read chapters 4 and 5 of Professional JavaScript and chapter 6 of JavaScript the Definitive Guide Work through sections 5 to 8 of the JavaScript Fundamentals track on Codecademy. Leave section 9 (Object-Oriented Programming) for later, it is too complex at this juncture.

Weeks 3 and 4

Read Chapter 6 (Object-Oriented Programming) of Professional JavaScript Return to Codecademy and complete sections 9 to 10 of the same JavaScript Fundamentals track. Section 11 on Recursion is way too complex for you at this juncture. Read Chapter 7 (Function Expressions) of Professional JavaScript Read Chapters 8 through 18 and then 20 of Professional JavaScript Complete the last two sections, 11 and 12, of the JavaScript Fundamentals track on Codecademy. Work through the Choose Your Own Adventure! course on Codecademy Get a copy of JavaScript the Definitive Guide (6th Edition, May 2011) and read chapters 15 to 19. It is important that you re-read any chapters you do not understand, especially chapter 19 (The jQuery Library).

Weeks 5 and 6

Work through the jQuery course on Codecademy Read chapters 19, 21, 22, 23, 24 and 25 of Professional JavaScript. At this point, you should be very comfortable with JavaScript, probably feeling like a Jedi. You are not quite a Jedi yet, you must build some web applications first, though you are just about near the advanced level of pure JavaScript knowledge. You have to start building websites and web applications with your wealth of JavaScript knowledge. Decide on a personal project to build, and start building your project, using both JavaScript books as references for when you get stuck. Do not immediately Google your questions when you are stuck, look for the answers in the two books you have been using thus far. Only Google for answers (Stack Overflow will be your destination for answers about 98% of the times) when you cannot find the answer t your question in either book. Complete your study by reading Chapters 20, 21, and 22 of JavaScript the Definitive Guide You are now incredibly knowledgeable on the JavaScript programming language, go build modern web applications, a startup, or get an exciting job making a handsome salary near six figures or more.

Next Levels of JavaScript

Read Learn Backbone.js Completely Read my forthcoming post on How to Become a JavaScript Master in 1 Week Read Learn Node.js Completely and With Confidence Read my forthcoming post on Getting Started with Meteor.js Read my forthcoming posts on JavaScript frameworks and design patterns.  JavaScriptLearn JavaScript