Your introduction to programming: The "Hello World" program

Software programming is not just a skill, but also an art form shaped by traditions. One such tradition is writing a "Hello World" program, which has been considered a starting point for new programming languages in the programming community since the 1970s. In this tutorial, you will learn how to write your first "Hello World" program in JavaScript. Let's get started!

Key insights

"Hello World" is the first programming script that many programmers ever write.
The program demonstrates how to create a basic HTML page.
JavaScript is used to add interactive features.

Step-by-Step Guide

Step 1: Create your HTML file

Start by creating a new file on your desktop. Name this file "hello_world.html". This is where you will write your first program. I have already created this file. The name of the file is simple and straightforward, making it easy to understand.

Your introduction to programming: The "Hello World" program

Step 2: Basic structure for HTML

Every HTML file needs a basic structure that describes the layout of your webpage. Start with the fundamental HTML tags. These include the tag that encloses all content, and the two main sections:

and

. The

section contains meta-information, while the

section hosts the visible content.

Add the following lines to your "hello_world.html" file:

<!DOCTYPE html>
<html>
<head> <title>Hello World</title>
</head>
<body>
</body>
</html>

Step 3: Complete the body section

Now that you have the basic structure of your HTML file, it's time to fill the

section with dynamic content. However, we won't just type text into the tag. Instead, we will use JavaScript to generate the content dynamically.

Step 4: Add JavaScript

To use JavaScript, you need the

<script type="text/javascript"> window.alert('Hello World');
</script>

The window.alert command creates a popup with the message "Hello World". Make sure this is placed within the

section.

Step 5: Test your program

Save the file and open it in your web browser. When the page loads, you should see a popup window displaying "Hello World". This indicates that your JavaScript is working correctly and you have successfully executed your first program.

Step 6: Reflect on what you've learned

Now that you know how to write a simple "Hello World" program, it's important to reflect on the learning process. You have not only learned how to create an HTML file and implement JavaScript, but also how these two technologies work together to create interactive websites. The workflow you just went through – from writing the code to testing it in the browser – is a fundamental part of software development.

Summary – Your first step into programming: The "Hello World" program

You have learned how to create an HTML page and write a simple JavaScript program to output the classic "Hello World". This tradition is not only an important step in software programming, but it also provides a solid introduction to the world of web development.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the "Hello World" program?The "Hello World" program is a simple program often written as the first example in new programming languages. It demonstrates basic syntax and the output of a program.

Why do we use HTML and JavaScript?HTML is used to define the structure of the webpage, while JavaScript is responsible for interactive functions and logic.

What programming tool do I need?You can use any simple text editor to write HTML and JavaScript. Additionally, you should have a web browser to display the result.

How do I test my program?Save the HTML file and open it in a web browser. The popup with "Hello World" should appear if everything is set up correctly.

Can I display other messages as well?Yes, you can change the text in the window.alert command to display any message you want.

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