JavaScript is an incredibly powerful language, and thanks to its renaissance, it now has uses that extend beyond the browser.

However, being a language that’s extremely accessible, with a shallow learning curve and large userbase, it’s the subject of – at times – vitriolic abuse from other language communities.

Yes, JavaScript was created in a very short timeframe, and there are inherent issues with some very early design decisions that can cause some grief to developers.

However, as the engine that powers the web, it’s able to prove it’s versatility and usefulness. So why the hate?

In this talk, we will discuss the history of JavaScript, it’s future, and how some it’s ‘wat’s can be avoided in everyday use in other to leverage the power of this universal language. We will also take a short tour through over a dozen other languages and some of their quirks, to prove how no language is without fault.

About the speakers

About the speakers

Miss JavaScript

Katie has worn many different hats over the years. She has previously been a software developer for many languages, systems administrator for multiple operating systems, and speaker on many different topics.

When she's not changing the world, she enjoys cooking, making tapestries, and yelling at JavaScript and its attempt at global variables.

Related videos

Related videos

Tech News #26 | Adam Cogan | User Group

Adam Cogan brings you the most important and recent tech news, including the release of .NET 8 preview, updates on Azure Open AI Service, GitHub, and AWS, and the rebranding of Netlify CMS. He also introduces the new, faster version of Microsoft Teams.

Simply Remote Testing with Dev Tunnels | Daniel Mackay | SSW Rules

Find out how to expose a locally running application over the internet for testing and design feedback.

Content Creation 101 – A Creative’s Guide | Richard Campbell and Adam Cogan | Tech Chat

Storytelling and content creation can be daunting and complex endeavour.

Tech News #25 | Adam Cogan | User Group

Microsoft are integrating GPT3 into Teams, Office, Bing basically everything, Gatsby has been acquired and Notepad which was built in 1983, now has tabs, that’s only 40 years all this and more in SSW Tech News

Launch your developer career into space | Piers Sinclair | .NET User Group

There are many different technologies and programming languages to choose from and a vast amount of information to sift through. So, where do you begin?

Spawn an Online Game with Blazor, .NET 7 and Clean Architecture in under 60 minutes | Luke Parker | SSW User Groups

Full Stack Web Developers are commonplace, but what if you were told those very skills can directly translate to building an online game?! 🎮

Master Video Editing Terms with Adam and Eve Cogan | SSW Rules

It’s important for anyone involved to know the basic video editing terms to keep feedback clear and concise.

Boost Productivity: Say Goodbye to Time Wasting with this Simple Trick – No Hello | SSW Rules

Please don’t say just ‘Hello’ in chat. It’s as if you called someone on the phone and said “Hi!” and then put them on hold!

Augmented reality and the future of devices with Richard Campbell and Ulysses Maclaren

Phones have ruled our digital experience for over a decade. But where will we go for information and how will we expect it to be delivered?

Building inclusion into organisations with Sammy Herbert and Penny Walker | NDC Sydney 2022

This session will cover Sammy’s 3-year journey of starting in a small company and building it to become a multi-award winning organisation