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JavaScript JavaScript Basics (Retired) Storing and Tracking Information with Variables Working with Strings and Finding Help

The Mozilla Developer network is intimidating

JavaScript basics

3 Answers

Jennifer Nordell
seal-mask
STAFF
.a{fill-rule:evenodd;}techdegree
Jennifer Nordell
Treehouse Teacher

Hi there! I'm not sure if this is a question or just a generic statement. But yes, documentation can (and often is) very intimidating in the beginning. But here's why: it's written for developers. It's not written for people just starting to learn. I was also intimidated by it in the beginning. In hindsight, it's really not that surprising. You will see lots of terms that you're only vaguely familiar with and some that you've never seen at all. And that's ok because it just means you haven't gotten there yet. You will get there if you keep going down this path. Things that seem really abstract and foreign right now will begin making sense with time.

Hang in there! :sparkles:

Thanks

I Dilate
I Dilate
3,983 Points

Hey Uche,

Totally!

Reference material for any programming language is often really daunting - especially for beginners.

Here's my best tip - when you need to look something up, skip down the page to an example. Personally, I find it much easier to learn by example than from reference syntax. You'll be able to see how someone has created a simple code snippet that actually works using the part that you need - and from there you can usually modify it to work for you.

Going through this process often works to help build up your knowledge of how something functions first, which you can then use to apply to the syntax reference at the top of the page to get an understanding of what all the bizarre terminology actually means!

The very fact that you know what the MDN is, and you've actually visited it, is a really great first step.

Don't be intimidated by something that you don't understand - instead, see it as a challenge. Finding a way to turn the MDN to your advantage is going to be a powerful weapon in your code arsenal. When you hit a project that requires something that you don't know how to achieve off the top of your head, you're going to need to refer to a resource like the MDN. And trust me, there are far more confusing websites out there!

Well done on achieving so much on your course already amigo :^)

Rebecca Palumbo
Rebecca Palumbo
5,506 Points

I have also found it to be confusing. It may be a good reference for people who already understand it, but I still think it should be more thorough. I just don't seem to click with it. I found a reference yesterday and have read a few pages. I really like how simple and thorough it is so far. https://javascript.info I wonder if anyone has other references that they like. I also use w3schools.com sometimes.

I'm not a beginner with JavaScript, just going through this course to remind myself of anything I've forgotten and to complete the Full Stack JavaScript track.