Javascript

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Javascript, unrelated to the similarly named Java is an interpreted computer programming language primarily used on the World Wide Web.

Javascript code is read and interpreted by web browsers, such as Firefox and allows websites to be interactive and can be used to add features that are absent in HTML? and CSS (stylesheets).

javascript was developed by Internet pioneer Netscape for is eponymous browser. Javascript was then precisely reverse-engineered by Microsoft for implementation in its Internet Explorer browser. The Microsoft and Netscape variants diverged to the point of developing major incompatibilities. Eventually, the Javascript language and "Document Object Model" (which defined how Javascript would address and manipulate XML/(X)HTML elements) were standardized by independent third-party bodies and Javascript has become a highly influential language.

Notably, Javascript lacks certain features common in other programming languages due to its browser-based nature. For security reasons Javascript cannot read or write files from the file-system, for instance and cannot access hardware.

In spite of these limitations, Javascript and (X)HTML have been used to develop impressive browser-based software, including the Vistua Groupware mail and several online office suites.

However, Javascript is more commonly used for small tasks, for example The Vistua Hub uses small amounts of Javascript to perform various tasks, such as set certain cookies and to rotate the images on the Main.HomePage banner.

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