Google I/O 2011: Learning to Love JavaScript

Alex Russell

JavaScript remains one of the most popular and important programming languages in history. Web Developer and Chrome Engineer Alex Russell exposes the timeless strengths of the JavaScript language and why it is a vital part of the open web platform. Come hear what's next for the JavaScript standard and how to get the most out of the new features coming soon in V8 and Chrome.

[anshumanya]

thank you ! this is what you need to see if want the best "intro in a nutshell". everything should fall into place after this. highly recommended.

[HiteshChavda]

I try to learn javascript since two years, this video feel the AHA! moment of the javascript.

A must must see.

[bertobertoberto]

This is a really great talk. I didn't understand the significance of a lot of what he was saying the first time I watched it. However, coming back after about 6 months during which time I worked with javascript (intermediate stuff), this guy makes ties in the concepts of javascript pretty well.

[zurinio]

JS is just so sweet! and am so glad for such kind of talks. I love it!

[whatnow]

@arkdrag JavaScript Is a good language for beginners. Usually, developers from programming backgrounds can get confused from the language, due to prototypes, loosely type language, no classes etc. i believe it greeted more complicated from programmers from different backgrounds

[DavidWittenbrink]

Nice talk. I wasn't aware of the core JavaScript ideas Alex Russell talks about. I'm going to read Eloquent JavaScript right away.

[wojciechfornal]

I still strain to fall in love with JavaScript and I'm almost done ;)

[versluyssander]

Very interesting talk! Looking forward to the new Javascript features! Thanks!

[CoryRoy]

Alex is a great speaker. Thanks for the talk!

[MamboInMiami]

LOL I loved the "foot guns" comment as well and looked it up "like using a loaded shotgun as a golf club". Great video on where JS came from and where it is going..

[runnraz]

Thanks! Really enjoying these talks...

[gameblaster]

1. JavaScript: the definitive guide
2. Eloquent JavaScript

[ilikewebm]

Like node.js, you can really see the power of v8 there.

[BenRangel]

You'll learn more from 20 minutes of this video than reading a tutorial for a couple of hours. You understand the language's core better - but not sure that you will learn to LOVE it.
Feels like many arguments for the awesomeness of js boils down to ways to compensate for missing concepts.
For instance at 25:30 there's a great explanation of being able to add properties at run time. But it just boils down to "you can build concepts which are not necessarily given to you in javascript". So that's not a reason to love JS, it just makes you feel like it's a shame those concepts are missing from the start

[lunitikcalm]

getCtr() is only called once. it returns another function which is then subsequently called. getCtr is the closure in this example.

[arkdrag]

Very good presentation. Probably not for people completely new to programming, but then again I don't think Javascript is the ideal language for people that are new to programming anyway.

[mpeterac]

Great talk! Although, he kept hitting home "top-to-bottom", "left-to-right" as if this is surprising behavior for a single threaded execution environment. 

[BrooKlynEMol]

I Feel JavaScript is very very Cool ! Love Google you turn everything so simple.

[DavidDouglasJr]

Yes, love of javascript must be learned.

[agungdewandaru]

ActionScript 3 (AS3) is like Javascript sister since they're ECMAScript compliant. At 11:39, same code can be written in and results the same. However, AS3 does have much more support in terms of OOP.