• JavaScript is case sensitive
• JavaScript statements usually end in a semi-colon but this is not mandatory.
• Braces are Used to group statements.
• Comments are used to make the code easier to understand

Here we will go through and examine these characteristics in more detail

Case Sensitive

Because JavaScript is case sensitive then:

X=20 is not the same as x=20  and Newvar=20

Semi-colon Use

JavaScript consists of two elements statements and comments. Anything that isn't a comment is interpreted as a statement. Statements an span more than one line or you can have multiple statements on a single line.

The JavaScript interpreter will determine itself whether or not a statement has ended with or without the semi-colon; however using the semi-colon is the official way of telling the interpreter that the end of a statement has been reached. So although:

x=20
x=20;

both assign the value of 20 to the variable x, one uses the semi-colon the other doesn't, but they both work. It is good practise to always use the semi-colon as it makes your script far easier to read and debug.

Using Braces

Braces come in pairs: an opening brace (right brace).. { and a closing brace (left brace)..  }. They are used for grouping statements together in blocks. They are typically used for functions and if/else test. For Example

if (x==y)
{
statement 1 of true
statement 2 of true
statement 3 of true
}
else
{
statement 1 of false
statement 2 of false
statement 3 of false
}
 

In the example if the x is equal to y then the block of true statements will be run if it is not the block of false statements will be run.

Using Comments

Multi-line comments start with /* and end with */   e.g.

• Starting JavaScript Introduction
• Starting JavaScript Part 1: Main Language characteristics
• Starting JavaScript Part 2: Placing and Adding Scripts on Web Pages
• Starting JavaScript Part 3: Triggered Scripts and functions