JavaScript (JS) is a versatile and widely-used programming language that is a core technology of the web, along with HTML and CSS. Created in 1995 by Brendan Eich at Netscape Communications, it was initially designed to add interactivity to static web pages. Originally named Mocha, then LiveScript, it was finally renamed JavaScript to capitalize on the popularity of Java, despite the two being unrelated. As of 2025, JavaScript is used by 98.9% of all websites for client-side webpage behavior.
JavaScript is a high-level, multi-paradigm language that supports various programming styles, including event-driven, functional, and imperative. It is primarily a client-side scripting language, meaning the code is executed by a web browser. However, with the 2009 release of Node.js, JavaScript can also be used as a server-side language. This has expanded its applications to mobile development, game development, and even AI. JavaScript conforms to the ECMAScript standards, but implementations can vary between browsers due to different JavaScript engines. The language continues to evolve through regular ECMAScript updates, ensuring its relevance in modern development.