CH. 6 Using JavaScript: the big picture

Question 1

two platforms where JavaScript can be used:

Answer 1

• Web browser
• Node.js

Question 2

Node.js is important for web development in three ways:

Answer 2

• You can use it to write server-side software in JavaScript.
• You can also use it to write software for the command line; (think Unix shell, Windows PowerShell, etc.) As many JavaScript-related tools are based on (and executed via) Node.js.
• Node’s software registry, npm, has become the dominant way of installing tools (such as compilers and build tools) and libraries; – even for client-side development

Question 3

The structure of the two JavaScript platforms web browser and Node.js. are similar with…

Answer 3

The APIs “standard library” and “platform API” are hosted on top of a foundational layer with a JavaScript engine and a platform-specific “core”.

Question 4

The foundational layer consists of?

Answer 4

The JavaScript engine and platform-specific “core” functionality

Question 5

Two APIs are hosted on top of this foundation:

Answer 5

– The JavaScript standard library is part of JavaScript proper and runs on top of the engine.
– The platform API are also available from JavaScript – it provides access to platform-specific functionality.

Question 6

Platform API - In browsers, you need to use the platform-specific API if you want to do anything related to the user interface:

Answer 6

to react to mouse clicks, play sounds,
etc.

Question 7

Platform API in Node.js, the platform-specific API lets you…

Answer 7

read and write files, download data via HTTP, etc.