Javascript Programmer?

Hi.

I have a question. I would like to know what is the best freeware for programming in Javascript.

I am going to learn Javascript to supplement my programming in Visual Basic and C++, and would like to know a free program to start with, like Bloodshed Dev C++, only for Javascript instead of C++.

I already have a book, so don't bother with telling me what book to order.

I currently have Microsoft Visual Basic Express, but I'm not sure how in-depth it will let you go with Javascript. If everyone says that's the best one, I'll go with it. If not, I would like to know the name of the program I need and a link to download it if possible.

No free trials, please.

Thank you for your time and patience, and good luck!

2009-01-29T11:42:19Z

I made one serious mistake in my question. I'm trying to program a Windows-based application with Javascript - I have no internet connection and no internet browser installed on my computer beyond Internet Explorer 5.0 (I'm doing all my interent business and questions through a library's computer, where I'm at now typing this).

Javascript seems to be the most popular programming language besides C++ and Visual Basic, so I wanted to learn it to expand my horizons.

Do I need to switch from Javascript to Java to program Windows applications, as it seems Javascript is primarily a web-based application?

2009-01-29T11:48:36Z

I have done serious programming in the past in multiple variations of Visual Studio, including C++, Visual Basic 2003, Visual Basic 2005, and Visual Basic 2008, so I prefer that type of user interface. I've also done ASP.NET at college, where there was an internet connection.

Even though I've done work with Bloodshed Dev C++, I don't exactly love it. It's decent, clean, and works good, but I prefer Visual Basic's layout and capabilities more. I also like programming in the Visual Basic language a lot more than C++, but can do either one efficiently.

I've done Windows-based and web-based applications, but I prefer Windows-based.

I'm going to try Aptana Studio, as it sounds fairly close to Visual Studio. I'll also try Javascript in Visual Studio to see how it compares. It will probably come down to a combination of whichever one is more user friendly and has further boundaries on its' capabilities.

Jonathan B2009-01-28T12:15:26Z

Favorite Answer

You already have one of the best environments -- your browser. If you use Firefox, you can get the Firebug extension, which will supply you with a Javascript console to try out various commands, etc.

Requiring a little more expertise to install, you can use command-line interpreters for Javascript. Spidermonkey is one:

http://www.mozilla.org/js/spidermonkey/

Or Rhino, which needs Java:

http://www.mozilla.org/rhino/

Perhaps, however, you really want to know what text editor works well with Javascript? Most will work well for you, if you use windows you may want to try Notepad++ or Scite:

http://notepad-plus.sourceforge.net
http://www.scintilla.org/SciTE.html

If you are used to another programmer's editor, such as Vim, ( http://vim.org ), most likely it will work fine. Since Javascript is such a common language, the syntax highlighting and code completion features will just work.

For a full-blown IDE (Integrated Development Environment, like Visual Studio), you could try Aptana:

http://www.aptana.com/

I suspect it will be overkill for what you want to do, but I could be wrong.

I know you said you already have a book, but more documentation wouldn't hurt. Doug Crockford is brilliant when it comes to Javascript. He has several articles you may find helpful:

http://javascript.crockford.com/

Hope this is helpful!

00

irishtek2009-01-28T12:30:53Z

I do not know what you are trying to accomplish.
Javascript is used for web development.

Visual Studio Express comes in two flavors. One for windows applications and one for web applications.

There is no limitation in Visual Studio Express for JavaScript.
However; unless you are doing web development learning JavaScript won't have any benefit for you.

You will not be using C++ for web development.
You might use Visual Basic if you are doing ASP.NET development.

If you have any further questions or if you think I misunderstood the question, then don't hesitate to send me an email: irishtek@yahoo.com

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R.C.2009-01-28T12:15:34Z

Javascript is an interpreted language - you don't really need a full-blown environment, just a text editor. I find Notepad++ to be the best free all-around coder's text editor:

http://notepad-plus.sourceforge.net/uk/site.htm

If you want a full-blown IDE, Eclipse (free java-based IDE from Eclipse.org, very nice overall but sometimes really slow) has a few Javascript plugins that should work fine, here's the first one from a google search:

http://www.myeclipseide.com/module-htmlpages-display-pid-57.html

Just in case you meant to say "Java", not "Javascript", Eclipse works for that too -

http://www.eclipse.org/downloads/

Good luck!

00

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