{"id":5253,"date":"2021-10-05T02:00:00","date_gmt":"2021-10-05T00:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/alvarotrigo.com\/epa\/learn-javascript\/"},"modified":"2025-06-16T11:01:39","modified_gmt":"2025-06-16T09:01:39","slug":"learn-javascript","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/alvarotrigo.com\/blog\/learn-javascript\/","title":{"rendered":"How Long Does It Take To Learn JavaScript?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

It typically takes 6 to 12 months to go from a complete beginner to a fairly decent level in JavaScript.<\/strong> At least, that’s what the general consensus on the internet seems to be.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a very rough, ballpark estimate, that 6-12 month range isn’t too long. If you put in a lot of effort, within 6-12 months you’ll learn JavaScript well enough to build basic apps – and probably start applying for junior dev roles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, the truth is a little more complicated! In reality, there’s only one true answer to “How long does it take to learn JavaScript”:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It depends!<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

OK, probably not the answer you wanted! That’s why I gave you that 6-12 month ballpark figure up-front. If you wanted a number, you’ve got one. If you want to learn a bit more about what learning JS actually means, and how to speed the process up a bit, read on!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is JavaScript?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

JavaScript is a high-level scripting programming language. Also known for its abbreviation “JS”, JavaScript is one of the main languages used in the World Wide Web together with HTML and CSS. (Check out how long does it take to learn HTML<\/a> too)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It basically allows developers to dynamically change the layout and visual appearance of websites opening a world of possibilities. Nowadays it’s also used directly on the server-side.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Websites use JavaScript to create interactive websites that respond to the users’ input.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Is JavaScript Easy To Learn?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

JavaScript is one of the easier programming languages to learn from scratch, mainly because it’s high level, interpreted, and weakly typed. Here’s what I mean by that…<\/p>\n\n\n\n

JavaScript is a “High Level” Programming Language<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

This basically means it’s closer to the language you<\/em> speak than it is to the language that computers speak (known as machine code, or assembly language<\/a>). This makes JavaScript easier to learn than languages like C, which are a little closer to the hardware.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

JavaScript is “Interpreted”<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

JS is “interpreted” – that means the code you type is the code the browser reads and runs. Other languages are “compiled”, meaning the code must be compiled into a form that computers understand, which requires extra software and time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For JavaScript, all you need is a text editor and a browser – and you already have these!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

JavaScript is Weakly Typed<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

In programming, you define variables. These variables can be different types – integers, decimals, text strings, etc. In strongly typed languages, you have to specify what type every variable is – and once defined, it usually cannot change type. In JS, which is weakly typed, you don’t! Again, this makes JS more flexible, and easier to learn in the early stages.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Learn JavaScript at your own rate<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

One thing I don’t like about questions like “How long does it take to learn JavaScript” (or C, Ruby, PHP, or whatever), is that they put pressure on people. They make it seem like you should<\/em> learn JS in a set time frame, and if you don’t hit that target, you’re doing something wrong.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Not true!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Everyone learns at different rates. A lot of things influence this!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How Much Time Do I Need To Learn JavaScript?<\/h2>\n\n\n
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Sure it will. My cousin worked two jobs with a child and only had an hour a day to code. Took him 17 months but she\u2019s working as a Frontend dev<\/p>\n

\u2014 BrainFatigueX (@fatigue_x) October 2, 2021<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n