Hey guys!
One of the first fun projects you can try while learning JavaScript is creating a live clock. It’s simple, but it teaches you a lot about the Date() object, DOM manipulation, and how to keep things updating in real-time with setInterval().
I recently tried two different versions of a live clock. Both of them work perfectly, but they look and behave a little differently. Let’s check out the differences.
Code 1 – Styled and Semantic Clock
In this version, I used the
What’s special about this version:
- Uses
- Adds leading zeros (07:05:09 instead of 7:5:9).
- Updates datetime attribute for better accessibility.
- Styled with a gradient background and rounded container.
- Looks polished, almost like something you’d see in a real app.
Code 2 – Simple Clock
This one is the beginner-friendly approach. It uses just a
tag and a few lines of JavaScript. Instead of manually formatting the time, it relies on toLocaleTimeString().
What’s special about this version:
- Very easy to understand.
- toLocaleTimeString() automatically adjusts to the user’s system (12-hour or 24-hour).
- No extra styling, just plain text.
- Great for practicing JavaScript basics quickly.
Key Differences Between the Two
- HTML Structure → Code 1 uses
- Time Formatting → Code 1 adds leading zeros manually, Code 2 lets the system handle it.
- Accessibility → Code 1 updates the datetime attribute, Code 2 doesn’t.
- Styling → Code 1 is styled with CSS, Code 2 is plain.
- Complexity → Code 1 is advanced and professional, Code 2 is simple and beginner-friendly.
Conclusion
Both versions show the current time, but the choice depends on what you’re aiming for:
- If you just want something quick and simple → go with Code 2.
- If you want something professional, styled, and more accessible → choose Code 1. At the end of the day, both are great ways to practice JavaScript. The more you try different approaches, the more confident you’ll become in your coding journey.
Top comments (1)
Love this comparison! It really shows how small enhancements like semantics, accessibility, and styling can make a simple project feel professional.