Hire expert freelance JavaScript Developers for your company's projects

Professional JavaScript developers remain in high demand – Cad Crowd helps you search and discover the most qualified of them all

In the Stack Overflow Developer Survey 2023, JavaScript continued to be the most commonly used programming language by professionals worldwide for eleven years in a row. This came as no surprise, as JavaScript has been used as the basic foundation of various web frameworks like Angular, React, Node.js, jQuery, and Vue.js, to name a few. Therefore, having a JavaScript developer on your team definitely provides much more flexibility when your project involves building web apps, mobile apps, and even games. 

Cad Crowd has been working with thousands of JavaScript developers, from junior to expert level, connecting them with employers and clients worldwide for projects of all sizes. We’re now here to help you discover the most talented candidate to fill the open position in your company. 

So, what is JavaScript?

 If you’re hiring a JavaScript developer, chances are you know a thing or two about it already. JavaScript, sometimes referred to simply as JS, is a client-side (or front-end, if you like) programming language primarily used for the creation of interactive elements in an application. It's widely regarded as one of the essential web technologies, alongside CSS and HTML.

At its most basic level, developers use JavaScript to introduce interactive elements to an otherwise static webpage. The result is a dynamic page that responds to user inputs in real time. The page (or, more specifically, the contents of that page) changes in the instant a user makes an interaction, such as by clicking a button, drag-and-drop input, commenting on a post, adding/removing photos, etc. 

Can you use JavaScript for back-end development, too?

Many web frameworks, runtime environments, and libraries for front-end and back-end developments are based on JavaScript. In other words, the programming language does both client-side and server-side jobs equally well. For instance, JavaScript can control multimedia content (such as videos and animated GIFs) and allow a user to play those contents with a simple click of a button. It also empowers developers to let the page update the content automatically.

One of the most popular tools for this purpose is Node.js, an open-source JavaScript runtime environment designed primarily for server-side scripting. Node.js is able to run JavaScript on the server and generate dynamic content before the page is sent to the client side via a web browser. A few other popular web technologies written in JavaScript include Gatsby, Next.js, and Meteor. If Gatsby is a front-end-only web app framework used to generate static web pages, Next and Meteor are full-stack frameworks (meaning they can be used for client-side and server-side developments).

That being said, JavaScript is primarily known as a front-end programming language. According to W3Techs, about 99% of websites use JavaScript on their client-side development to govern webpage behavior. From the viewpoint of web users, JavaScript is the foundation of modern websites. 

How is it different from HTML and CSS?

HTML is a basic markup language that determines how a web browser presents content to users. Some functions HTML does:

• Convert text into headings
• Embed videos or images into a web page
• Provide page structure for indents, tables, spacing, etc.
• Define the points where paragraphs start and end
• Add simple styling elements such as italics and bold typefaces

On the other hand, CSS is a style sheet language that dictates how a web browser applies styles to HTML elements on a web page. CSS also makes it easy to add some complex structures like rows and columns.

JavaScript is used for dynamic interaction between user and web page content. Among the most basic functions it can do on the client side:

• Load pop-up messages or ads
• Autoplay videos and slideshows
• Animate images
• Display dropdown menu options and links
• Set cookies
• Respond and react to user requests
• Deliver personalized content to a web page
• Pull content from other websites

The dynamic elements can load automatically without prompts or when an event is triggered by a series of user actions. All three languages (JavaScript, HTML, and CSS) can work together simultaneously on any web page to deliver the sophistication and user-friendly interface that typical modern web users want.

Common applications for JavaScript

Many digital things you use on a computer, such as web browsers or applications, are built with JavaScript. Some of the most common uses for the programming language are as follows:

• Web Development: JavaScript is used as a tool to improve user experience (UX) in web development. Parts of that UX include dynamic webpage contents and browser compatibility on different computer operating systems. Thanks to JavaScript, nearly all major web browsers can work on mobile devices as well. Some examples of dynamic or interactive content include dropdown menus, authentication forms, and even pop-up ads. Webpages can display data in real-time with automatic updates because the script runs as a background process. Automatic updates mean you don't have to constantly reload the page to see changes in the contents. For example, when you open a news feed webpage, new headlines may pop-up as notifications (on the page itself).
• Web Apps: Like how the programming language is used in web development, JavaScript also creates interactive elements, such as account validation and visual feedback, in a web app. It can communicate with the database on the server side to perform certain actions in response to data input from the client side. All the changes reflected on the webpage after a user does a series of actions (event handlers) can be written or programmed using JavaScript. An event handler is a callback routine to dictate the predetermined action that follows an event. On the UI level, an event can be as simple as a mouse click or as complex as reading data submission. An event handler exists because the developer writes JavaScript code for the action to take place.
• Mobile Apps: You've probably interacted so much with JavaScript without realizing it on a mobile app. JavaScript has the power to create UI elements like buttons in a specific shape that changes colors when tapped or menu options that appear after a long press of an icon. Developers can also write the database structure and query data on the back-end side of a mobile app with JavaScript. On a more technical level, the programming language can create application programming interfaces (APIs) so that the mobile app can communicate with other online services and applications.
• Server Applications: As a server-side programming language, JavaScript can automate tasks using scripts to reduce processing time. It can also build server-side components to extend an application's functionality or add features. Users might not see all the working elements in a busy server, but they do enjoy the app's interactive nature. 
• Slideshows and Presentations: On a webpage that features a slideshow, JavaScript gives users an easy-to-use control scheme to navigate the content; they can use mouse clicks or the arrow buttons on the keyboard to see the slides. Content presentation implements the same basic principle, but JavaScript can add some fancy animations to make it more engaging. 

Many, but not all, HTML5 games (the kind of games you play on a web browser) are developed with JavaScript. With its ability to generate interactive features, JavaScript is a preferable programming language for software and game development. One of the biggest differences between the two is that games allow the user to use additional input devices such as a gamepad and a joystick in addition to a keyboard and mouse. But there are limitations, and that's why you don't see many AAA titles written in JavaScript. However, popular small games like Tower Building, Bejeweled, PixelDefense, Tower Building, and some versions of Tetris.

Hire JavaScript developers with Cad Crowd

Cad Crowd maintains a large talent database of professional JavaScript developers from the United States, Canada, the UK, and Europe. At any moment's notice and based on the job requirements you provide, our recruiters are pleased to handle the hiring process, from the initial talent search and reference checking to preliminary interviews and the onboarding paperwork. With your permission, we can also conduct a JavaScript technical assessment on both hard and soft skills as part of the initial screening process.

Our database is filled with both active and passive candidates with varying degrees of expertise. Whether you need a competent junior developer or an experienced professional with a proven track record, Cad Crowd makes sure that the shortlisted candidates qualify for the open positions and are ready to contribute to your team from day one. Reach out to Cad Crowd for your free quote today. Our team will schedule a detailed discussion about the open position and the hiring requirements so that we can design a custom staffing solution to cater to your needs.