One of the most common applications of JavaScript is to create a drop-down menu. These menus are very common, and have been for quite a few years online. While the implementation of JavaScript for this purpose is not simple, the effect is so notable that many developers (even less skilled ones) will find one way or another to implement a JavaScript drop-down menu. Many developers simply make use of pre-existing code on various websites.

Similar to its application for drop-down menus, JavaScript has also traditionally been used for rollover buttons. While this is a simpler application of JavaScript than a drop-down menu, it is still not a simple process (as it would be in Flash, for instance).

JavaScript’s use for these two purposes has declined significantly in recent years. CSS has come to dominance, and its rollover capabilities make JavaScript obsolete. While many users disable JavaScript in their browsers, they do not (and cannot) disable CSS. It is no longer considered proper development practice to use JavaScript for navigation functions. However, CSS’s implementation for drop-down menus is relatively complex and not understood by most. Therefore, the transfer of drop-down menus from JavaScript to CSS has progressed slower than that of rollover buttons.

Another one of JavaScript’s primary functions is to launch new windows and pop-up messages. It serves both of these functions quite well, and they are considerably easier to implement than navigation applications. Pop-up windows are often one of the first applications that new developers learn when pursuing an education in JavaScript.

Beyond these most common functions, the uses of JavaScript vary widely. There are plenty of options for a creative developer with an extensive knowledge of JavaScript. Because JavaScript is a relatively complex language and is slowly falling out of vogue with developers, it is becoming more and more rare to find extensive JavaScript applications online.

Despite JavaScript’s decline, most developers will come across a situation from time to time that calls for JavaScript implementation. The functionality that JavaScript offers with real-time dynamic power is invaluable at times. Although JavaScript can often be replaced by some other language or method, it still remains the most effective solution for a wide range of applications.