JavaScript Fundamentals and Tooling

This unit develops foundational JavaScript programming skills, introduces the runtime and asynchronous behavior, and teaches essential developer tooling. Students will also survey modern component frameworks (React, Vue, Svelte), basic Node.js APIs, build automation, linting, and introductory security and database concepts to prepare for full-stack application work in subsequent units.

Learning Objectives

• Demonstrate core JavaScript syntax and programming constructs by writing scripts that use let variables, expressions, control flow, arrays, objects, functions, and encapsulation to solve defined problems.
• Analyze the JavaScript runtime model and asynchronous patterns (callbacks, promises, async/await, event loop) and diagnose common error types to explain and debug execution order in sample programs.
• Apply modular development and Node.js tooling by installing Node, creating and importing modules, using the fs, Buffer and Stream APIs, implementing EventEmitter patterns, and automating builds and linting for a small project.
• Evaluate front-end component patterns and libraries (React, Vue, Svelte) by comparing JSX/SFC structure, props/state, event handling, lifecycle, and basic store patterns, and incorporate basic security considerations when interfacing with browsers or backend services (e.g., MongoDB).