JavaScript Data Types

Phuong-Cat Ngo — Wed, 15 Mar 2023 23:06:30 +0000

Understanding the different types of data that can be used in JavaScript is essential for building reliable and efficient programs. In this blog post/quick lecture notes, we'll briefly explore the different types of JavaScript data types.

Primitive

Primitives are data types that do not have named attributes. They do not have methods or properties either.

The Seven Primitive Data Types are:

String - representation of a sequence of characters enclosed in single (') or double (") quotes
let str = "abc"
Number - numeric values that are integers or floating-point numbers
let num = 5
BigInt - whole number larger than the maximum safe number a Number variable or data type can have
let bigInteger = Number.MAX_SAFE_INTEGER
Boolean - true or false value that represents a logical entity
let bool = true
Undefined - variable that has not been assigned a value
let undefinedValue
Symbol - unique identifier (rarely used from what I gathered from the lecture)
let sym = Symbol()
Null - represents a value that does not exist or is invalid

Source

Structured

Structured means that it has one or more named attributes. It can have methods or properties, unlike primitive data types.

Objects - a collection of key-value pairs which can also be called map, dictionary, or hash-table in other languages. Arrays are considered an object.

let oj { id: 1, name: cat}

Fun fact: Functions are also considered an Object type! See 4.3.31 in ECMA International for terms and definitions.

There might be more examples of structured data types compared to what I went over. However, this is just the beginning! I am super excited to learn more about JavaScript.

Hello, World!

Phuong-Cat Ngo — Wed, 15 Mar 2023 22:23:15 +0000

If you are reading this, you have probably decided to embark on your journey of learning how to become a software developer. Congratulations! I am so happy for you. I am also doing the same thing.

Learning software development can be a huge challenge especially if you are learning from scratch. I know for myself that it feels daunting as well, but my instructors at FlatIron School gave me some good advice. Here is the rundown of what they have told me:

Set realistic goals
Take some time to think about short-term and long-term goals. Break down your bigger ones into smaller more realistic ones. Use the SMART goals to help navigate what kind of milestones you want to have. Check out this article from Asana on how to create SMART goals.
Choose a programming language
There are many programming languages to choose from with each having its pros and cons. Some popular ones include JavaScript, Python, and Java. If you want to figure out where to start, I suggest reading this article from FreeCodeCamp in 2022 to find which one you want to do. I am doing JavaScript myself.
Find the right resources
The internet is full of resources for learning software development. From YouTube videos to online courses and boot camps, there are too many to choose from sometimes. You have to find what works best for you and narrow down which ones are reputable. Some popular resources are Codeacademy, Coursera, FlatIron and FreeCodeCamp.
Practice, practice, and even more practice!
Even with all the theories and tutorials given out, it is best to learn hands-on. Grab your favorite IDE (mine is Visual Studio) or Replit and start practicing how to code. Start small and work your way up! That's how I am doing it.
Join a community
Fortunately for me, I am part of the FlatIron School community. I have classmates and peers. I am also here on Dev.To. It helps to have a community of like-minded individuals for support, networking, and resources. I recommend finding an online forum, a local meetup group, or someone on a similar journey to connect with!

Starting your journey in software development can be rewarding and challenging. With the right mindset, resources, and support, anyone can learn how to code. I am on this journey too and hope to cheer you on. We got this :)

DEV Community: Phuong-Cat Ngo

JavaScript Data Types

Primitive

Structured

Hello, World!