JavaScript is often used on websites to make them look good, improve how they work or provide features and functionality that a static HTML page cannot achieve. But what is it and how does it work?

Not to be confused with Java, a programming language written by Sun corporation, JavaScript is a client-side scripting language used to control the way your web pages behave. (Client-side means it runs on your PC)

It makes your website more interactive. It’s used to launch all those annoying pop-up adverts you often see. You can use it to create drop down menus, great-looking carousel-style photographic slide shows, help you fill-in forms by giving you feedback and checking what you entered is correct and even adds a google map to your ‘contact us’ page pointing out where your shop is located. So JavaScript can make your site more engaging for visitors.

But you wouldn’t know it was being used unless you view the source code from your browser. If you look, you will see code that is bounded by <script> and </script>, and contains the scripting language commands.

A good example of a drop-down menu, which is available for free as Open Source software, can be seen on Heng Yuan’s JSCookMenu, an easy to use and configurable menu script.

Jon Design’s Smooth Gallery is a good example of what can be done with a carousel-style photographic slide show.  It’s also freely-available to download and use on your website with your own photo collection.

And if you want a neat way to show visitors where you’re based, you can embed a google map into your web page using JavaScript. It’s free to use as long as you have a google account, which is also free.

There are plenty of scripts, available for free on the Internet, which can be used in many creative ways. The programmers usually provide instructions on how to install and configure them, so you don’t need to be a programming expert to have great features on your website.