What is JavaScript used for? The main use of JavaScript has been for developers to create interactive and dynamic web pages. JavaScript applications have been powering the internet since 1995.
Today, JavaScript is used for a variety of purposes, both in web development and beyond, playing a critical role in front-end and back-end programming, mobile applications, game development, and even AI-driven solutions. Keep reading to find out exactly what JavaScript is used for and how the language can help you.
Trio has the best senior JavaScript engineers who can oversee your entire project from the bare-bones frame to a completely fleshed-out web app or website. Whether you need a dynamic website, a robust server-side application, or a feature-rich mobile app, our experts are equipped to bring your vision to life.
Are you ready to start your development project?
We have the developers you need to take your development project in the right direction.
Companies are proven to grow their business faster with Trio.
What Is JavaScript?
JavaScript is a just-in-time (JIT) compiled, multi-paradigm programming language with dynamic typing. Combined with HTML and CSS, JavaScript is one of the leading technologies used in the World Wide Web.
Before the development of JavaScript, the web was purely static. JavaScript enables web pages to have complex content that may react, so to speak, to user manipulation or animate all by itself.
Initially, JavaScript could only be used on the client side – web browsers. However, with Node.js, a cross-platform runtime environment for JavaScript, code can be written and executed on the server side.
Nearly every browser has an exclusive JavaScript engine to execute code. Most websites depend on JavaScript for their client-side behavior.
JavaScript’s JIT compiler is especially noteworthy. Interpreted languages are known for being slower than compiled languages. But the JIT compiler is a feature of the runtime interpreter.
With it, you can have the advantages of an interpreted language like dynamic typing alongside the benefits of compiled code like stricter error prevention.
Dynamic typing is another feature of JavaScript. This feature signifies looser restrictions around variable declarations.
Similarly, object-oriented programming, one of the multiple programming paradigms JavaScript supports, gives developers the flexibility to think more intuitively.
What Is JavaScript Used For: 6 Core Examples
The primary use of JavaScript is to build web-based applications. Some of what JavaScript can do for the web includes:
- adding interactive behavior to web pages like zooming in and out or playing audio/video
- creating web and mobile apps; the most popular examples consist of the likes of Netflix and Uber
- building web servers and server-side applications using Node.js
- develop games that operate inside the browser
However, it is very versatile and can do far more than just those things. In fact, its versatility makes it an essential part of the front and back-end programming of most mobile and desktop solutions.
To gain a better understanding of what JavaScript is used for and how to implement it in your business, here are some more details on what JavaScript can do.
1. Client-Side Web Development
The most common example describing what JavaScript is used for involves delivering an interactive user experience (UX). JavaScript is a paramount technology for front-end development.
You can thank JavaScript for the way you navigate the web by using a drop-down arrow to scroll to the bottom of a page, the auto-suggestions in search, and any live content updates.
Before JavaScript, everything had to be static, but now we can see some of the most complex content that responds to a variety of interactions. Zooming, videos, audio, and anything else that requires a change without the whole page refreshing is thanks to JavaScript.
2. Server-Side Development
Initially, JavaScript was only used in web browsers, but with Node.js, it is now possible – and very much expected – to write and execute JavaScript on the server side.
Server-side scripting carries the imminent advantage of allowing content to load without the concern for browser capacity. Decreased load times or faster responses can lead to improved SEO thanks to the increase in user satisfaction.
This is yet another example of what JavaScript is used for. Using JavaScript’s runtime environment, Node.js, developers can create scalable and high-performance web servers, manage databases, and handle authentication processes. All of this makes it a viable option in 2025.
3. Mobile App Development
JavaScript has several different frameworks for developing web and mobile apps, including React Native, Ionic, and Angular. All these frameworks extend tooling to simplify development depending on what JavaScript is used for in each specific framework.
Facebook is one popular company that uses JavaScript to power its online community. React, and the corresponding React Native are two JavaScript frameworks built by Facebook. By using both of these, you can use a single code-base across iOS and Android apps instead of writing entirely separate code for each.
This is one of many reasons why companies like Netflix and Uber also like to leverage JavaScript for their front-end interactions. The result is that these companies have apps that are responsive and dynamic, perfect for their needs.
4. Game Development
JavaScript can be utilized to develop games for web browsers. GitHub features a collection of game engines, many of them employing HTML5 as well.
JavaScript is even being used in the virtual reality industry with the help of the WebXR Device API, allowing developers to create immersive gaming experiences. Many modern browser-based games on the market at the moment rely on JavaScript for real-time rendering and physics-based interactions.
5. Desktop Application Development
We have already discussed how JavaScript can be used in both mobile and web development. But with the rise of tools and frameworks like Electron.js, developers can now build desktop applications using JavaScript, HTML, and CSS, providing cross-platform compatibility.
This means that a lot of browser-based apps can maintain consistency when their respective app is installed on a phone or computer.
Well-known applications such as Slack, Visual Studio Code, and Discord are built using Electron, leveraging JavaScript’s efficiency and flexibility to deliver seamless user experiences across operating systems.
6. AI & Machine Learning Applications
JavaScript has libraries that support development for AI-related projects as well. Tensorflow.js, for instance, is a JavaScript library for machine learning. You can build and train machine learning models using the library.
Popular uses for AI applications that have been built with JavaScript can vary, but some popular examples we have come across here at Trio include apps or components of apps that take care of image recognition, chatbot development, and predictive analytics.
JavaScript also lets developers integrate machine learning into their web and mobile apps. This has various uses in dealing with big data.
Benefits of Using JavaScript
There are many reasons why we recommend that our clients use JavaScript for their projects. Of course, the specific project, the experience of developers, and many other factors will also play a role in your final decision, but the main reasons you should be using JavaScript include its versatility, rich ecosystem, and active community.
Let’s take a look at each of these in more detail.
Versatility
The incredible versatility of JavaScript is one of the many reasons it’s the best programming language for beginners to learn. As we’ve mentioned above, it can run on multiple platforms and can be used virtually anywhere, from client-side browsers to server-side applications.
Web apps, mobile apps, desktop applications, and even back-end systems all use JavaScript. This makes the language incredibly efficient and cost-effective, as developers don’t need to learn a different language for all of these environments.
Rich Ecosystem
Thanks, in part, to the sheer number of uses of JavaScript, as well as its general popularity, many frameworks and libraries have been developed. React, Angular, and Vue.js are some of the most popular examples of front-end development, while Node.js is by far the most popular for back-end operations.
Beyond this, you’ll be able to find tools for testing, debugging, and deployment. Updates are frequent, too, so new functionalities are being made available all the time.
Active Community
Since JavaScript has so many uses, it has become one of the most popular languages in the world. This means there are many developers out there.
Not only is the community large, but it is also very active, contributing to improvements, documentation, and even training materials. In many cases, these communities even provide solutions to any coding challenges you might face.
Subscribe to learn more about Hiring
Conclusion
Knowing what JavaScript is used for can help you adjust your business plan for your project’s needs. Web development is more than just building websites; it spans several industries.
From enhancing user experiences on the front end to managing server-side operations, JavaScript remains one of the most versatile and widely used programming languages today. Its ability to power mobile applications, desktop software, and even AI-driven solutions makes it invaluable.
Need qualified JavaScript developers for your project? You’re right where you need to be. Trio has experienced JavaScript developers ready to lend their skills to your next project! Reach out to us for a free consultation!
