Introduction to Programming – JavaScript

Syllabus – key points

This JavaScript certification course is delivered over three days of live virtual training. Each day builds your understanding step by step, combining theory with practical coding exercises. By the end, you will have gained the confidence to write, test, and structure JavaScript programs that reflect real-world programming practices.

Day 1: Foundations of Programming with JavaScript

Course Introduction
The course begins with an overview of objectives, materials, and agenda, giving you a clear sense of what to expect. Delegates and trainers are introduced, setting the stage for collaborative learning.

Session 1: Introduction to Programming
You will start by learning how computers “think” and how to translate human ideas into code. Topics include:

• How programs use input, storage, and output
• Arithmetic, comparisons, decisions, repetition, and reuse in code
• Understanding what a program is and how statements and comments work
• Exploring the process from source code to runtime
• The role of programmers and why so many programming languages exist
• Writing your first JavaScript program, including “Hello World”
• Using the console, standard input (stdin) and standard output (stdout)

Session 2: Variables
This session covers the building blocks of programming – variables. You will learn:

• Why variables are essential and how they are used
• Names, values, and literals
• Data types in JavaScript
• Declaring, initialising, and assigning values
• Using constants effectively

Session 3: Expressions
Expressions are at the heart of every program. You will explore:

• Operators and operands, including unary and binary
• Arithmetic and assignment operators
• Precedence and associativity rules
• Constructing and evaluating complex expressions

Day 2: Building Logic and Control

Session 4: Conditional Statements
Learn how to introduce decision-making into your programs:

• Relational and logical operators
• Using if/else, switch, and ternary operators
• Structuring code blocks
• Understanding variable scope

Session 5: Collections
Discover how to work with groups of data:

• Strings and arrays/lists in JavaScript
• Declaring and initialising collections
• Accessing, modifying, and managing elements

Session 6: Iterative Statements
Learn how to repeat tasks efficiently with loops:

• While, do…while, and for loops
• Using break and continue
• Traversing arrays and lists

Session 7: Functions
Functions make your code reusable and organised. In this session you will cover:

• Function declarations and parameters
• Passing arguments and returning values
• Reviewing variable scope in functions
• Using modules and libraries
• Writing procedural programs

Day 3: Objects, Execution, and Best Practices

Session 8: Objects and Object-Oriented Programming
Move beyond the basics into object-oriented design:

• Why objects matter in programming
• Creating and using object literals
• Properties, methods, and the limitations of object literals
• Introduction to classes, fields, and methods
• Creating instances and understanding reference vs primitive variables
• Passing values by reference and by value
• The three principles of object-oriented programming

Session 9: Compilation and Execution
Understand how your code becomes a running program:

• Reviewing the journey from source code to runtime
• Compilation, linking, and execution
• Debugging techniques
• Interpretation vs compilation (including bytecode)
• Platform dependence and cross-platform execution

Session 10: Best Practices in JavaScript Programming
The final session ensures you are not just coding, but coding well. Topics include:

• Program design and problem solving
• Writing pseudocode before coding
• Following coding conventions for readability and maintainability
• Best practices in whitespace, indentation, and naming
• Ensuring flexibility, scalability, and clean code style
• Testing principles, including unit testing and test-driven development (TDD)

Bringing It All Together

Over the three days, this JavaScript certification course introduces you to programming step by step, reinforcing each concept with practical coding examples. By the end, you will understand not only how JavaScript works but also how to write structured, maintainable programs.