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What is JavaScript? JavaScript is a type of computer programming language that is used to create interactive results within web browsers. So what is a variable in JavaScript? The definition of a variable is put simply as “a name of storage location”, and can be used to store data. You create or “declare’ a variable by using “var” or “let” and then you give it a type, a name, and a value. This basically just states what the purpose of the variable is. 

  To initialize a variable you put variableName= value;. The variableName is where you will put “var” or “let”. That will be your expression. Howecer, when writingan expression, there is a difference between “initializing” a variable and “declaring” it. When intializing a varible, you are just giving it a value. When you declare a variable, you are giving it a name and a type. It is important to note that you must initialize a variable before you initiate it, otherwise you will recieve an error message. However you do not need to initialze a variable before declaring it. 

JavaScript is called an event driven coding language since event-driven programming model. What events are mentioned in that title are events that occur with user interaction with the website. There are all kinds of different events. Every interaction the user makes with the webpage triggers a coded event. Opening the comments section, moving to the next photo, typing information and uploading it to the web page can be described as an event. Programmers use JavaScript to code a web page in a way that every interaction from user’s side will trigger an event. Ideally, triggered event must be user-friendly and transition from one event to another also must be fluent. Basically, every mouse movement, every click from the keyboard or swipe from the touchscreen must trigger specific parts of code that were designed beforehand to satisfy the user. Interaction is in real-time, thus event driven programming model is a strong model. 

Javascript is a programming language. This language contains values and variables that are assigned to each piece of data. Variables contain a value.  For example, you can use the word:

let

and add the variable name “mytext” (as shown below)

let mytext

Then, you add the value. 

let mytext = “I love Javascript”

Now each time you use the variable “mytext” in your code, the code will input the original value, “I love Javascript”

This is useful because codes can be very complex, and values and variables help so that you don’t have to retype each value throughout your code.

When dealing with data protection and cyber security it is crucial to follow the regulations involved with both. Luckily, there are both federal and state legislature laws put in place to safeguard your online information. Some things they protect against are cyber attacks, viruses and worms, unauthorized access, and so on, If you do not comply with these laws, it will result in significant fines and penalties. Under the Data Protection Act of 2018, “you have the right to find out what information the government and other organizations store about you” and how that information is being used.

  One type of malicious software that is detrimental to your cyber security is ransomware. This software literally restricts a user’s ability to access their computer until a ransome is paid, then they are granted access. This attempt at extortion usually comes to fruition through encrypted files. A huge target for this ransomware is hospitals. For one, hospitals rely on up-to-date medical information and depend on their systems running smoothly and effectively. An attack on a hospital not only disrupts a patient’s care, but costs the institution millions. 

 

https://www.gov.uk/data-protection#:~:text=Under%20the%20Data%20Protection%20Act,have%20incorrect%20data%20updated

Loops in JavaScript are used to repeatedly input data without actually manually writing it or using a copy and paste method. In coding, we may need to use the same lines of data tenth or hundredth of times. While writing code by hand is possible and even copying it is doable, I think what this chapter in our book trains us for is the future. When we get more comfortable coding, we probably will use huge lines of same codes and loops will help us and make everything easier.  During such cases, loops are our best friends. According to our textbook, there are three types of loops in JavaScript: for loops, while loops, and do…while loops. A for loop is more common, and it runs your code until it returns false as you coded. While loop runs code until another expression returns false. As for the do…while loops, it is guaranteed to run at least once before you get false return. The difference between while loop and do…while loop is that while loop never executes if it has a false return.

Cybersecurity is protecting critical systems and sensitive information. It is essential because information is powerful. Losing information can jeopardize your organization. For example, if Facebook is hacked, the hacker has access to users personal information like addresses, phone numbers, passwords, chats, etc. This could cause both digital and physical danger if accessed. Ransomware is a popular type of security breach. It is when a hacker illegally accesses hardware from a corporation and holds it in exchange for a money. Hospitals are especially vulnerable to these attacks because they rely heavily on information to properly treat their patients. A simple cyber attack can be password hacking. Many people are unaware of how vulnerable their information is due to lack of security with passwords. One way you can counter these attacks is by using two-factor authentication. This is when you must unlock your account through more than one security factor (phone or email confirmation). It is important to protect your information because if not you give the power away to hackers.

JavaScript was created to allow people to make interactive web pages. While JavaScript is only a part of the code needed to make a wonderful web browser, JavaScript is what provides interactivity to the page. JavaScript is used to tell your browser to do something. It waits for the user of the application to do something in order to run the code. JavaScript is important because it is the base of the applications we use. It is used by Facebook, Google, Instagram, Amazon, and many other sites we use. JavaScript makes using these applications more efficient and enjoyable. Our search engines, e-commerce, and social media would not be possible without the use of JavaScript. While I will probably not use the skills I have developed in this class often in my career, understanding code and the importance of JavaScript makes using technology more interesting. Understanding the behind-the-scenes of when I search for something or add something to my cart while online is a really cool concept and I’m glad I got to learn a bit about it while taking this class.