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let x, y, z; // Statement 1 x = 5; // Statement 2 y = 6; // Statement 3 z = x + y; // Statement 4A computer program is a list of "instructions" to be "executed" by a computer. These programming instructions are called statements. Most JavaScript programs contain many statements. The statements are executed, one by one, in the same order as they are written. In HTML, JavaScript programs are executed by the web browser.
Values, Operators, Expressions, Keywords, and Comments. This statement tells the browser to write "Hello Dolly." inside an HTML element with id="demo":
document.getElementById("demo").innerHTML = "Hello Dolly.";
JavaScript programs (and JavaScript statements) are often called JavaScript code.
Semicolons ;Semicolons separate JavaScript statements. Add a semicolon at the end of each executable statement:
Examples let a, b, c; // Declare 3 variables a = 5; // Assign the value 5 to a b = 6; // Assign the value 6 to b c = a + b; // Assign the sum of a and b to cWhen separated by semicolons, multiple statements on one line are allowed:
a = 5; b = 6; c = a + b;On the web, you might see examples without semicolons. Ending statements with semicolon is not required, but highly recommended.
JavaScript ignores multiple spaces. You can add white space to your script to make it more readable.
let person = "Hege";
let person="Hege";
A good practice is to put spaces around operators ( = + - * / ):
let x = y + z;For best readability, programmers often like to avoid code lines longer than 80 characters. If a JavaScript statement does not fit on one line, the best place to break it is after an operator:
document.getElementById("demo").innerHTML =
"Hello Dolly!";JavaScript statements can be grouped together in code blocks, inside curly brackets {...}.The purpose of code blocks is to define statements to be executed together. One place you will find statements grouped together in blocks, is in
Example function myFunction() {
document.getElementById("demo1").innerHTML = "Hello Dolly!";
document.getElementById("demo2").innerHTML = "How are you?";
}In this tutorial we use 2 spaces of indentation for code blocks. You will learn more about functions later in this tutorial.
JavaScript statements often start with a keyword to identify the JavaScript action to be performed.
Reserved Words Reference lists all JavaScript keywords. Here is a list of some of the keywords you will learn about in this tutorial:
Marks a block of statements to be executed on a condition switch Marks a block of statements to be executed in different cases for Marks a block of statements to be executed in a loop function
Implements error handling to a block of statements JavaScript keywords are reserved words. Reserved words cannot be used as names for variables.