Hi there, I'm about to start learning JavaScript for the first time. I'd love for you to join me on this journey. I want to start from the basics, but does anyone have any ideas on where to begin? Starting with simple projects also makes sense to me. What resources or methods do you think would work? How about learning together?
Where should I start with JavaScript?
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To start with JavaScript, don't waste time learning basic programming concepts—instead, dive straight into **JavaScript-specific structures**. Focus on how JS works in the **browser environment** rather than just the language fundamentals. Start with `let`, `const`, functions, arrays, and objects. The [JavaScript first steps](https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/JavaScript/Guide) section on MDN Web Docs is gold here—it shows real-world examples of how these concepts are used.
To speed up your learning, build **small projects**—like a simple calculator, a note-taking app, or an app that fetches weather data from an API. Platforms like [FreeCodeCamp](https://www.freecodecamp.org/) and [The Odin Project](https://www.theodinproject.com/) offer free, project-based courses. In your first few months, focus on **ES6+ features** (arrow functions, template literals, destructuring) to make your code more readable and modern.
I also initially got confused after starting JavaScript from scratch. Before moving to the backend with Node.js, I started with browser-side fundamentals — `let/const`, functions, DOM manipulation. Before diving into projects, the [MDN JavaScript Guide](https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/JavaScript) and [JavaScript.info](https://javascript.info/) were the resources that helped me the most. I started with simple things: like printing a message to the console when a button was clicked.
Later, I really started learning about topics like `async/await`, the event loop, and `this`. I set myself small projects: a weather app, a simple to-do list. Stack Overflow was a lifesaver for common issues. In the end, learning by **applying** the topic each time worked. You should also start with a course (like The Odin Project), then build small projects — this way, you lighten the load on your shoulders.
Think of it like starting with Python — first get familiar with the basic syntax, then practice with simple functions. You can approach JavaScript in the same way: start with variables, data types, conditions, and loops. Just like in Python, get comfortable using `console.log()` often for debugging in JS. After learning the basics of algorithms, you can move on to DOM manipulation — just like taking your first steps into web development with Flask or Django in Python. For example, start by making a page that shows a message when a button is clicked. It’s as simple as a "Hello, World!" in Python but lays a solid foundation.
Then, move on to simple projects: like a calculator that takes input and processes it. These projects can be as simple as a "todo list" app in Python. I recommend online resources like MDN Web Docs and freeCodeCamp — just like Python’s Official Docs and Real Python for Python. If you're looking for a course, The Odin Project’s Web Dev Path offers a great roadmap for JavaScript. Don’t forget to apply what you learn right away, or the knowledge will just float away — similar to studying theoretical math without putting it into practice.