Improving JavaScript 101 Section

[gjohnson]

The JavaScript 101 section seems a bit out of order in it's current state. It is also missing a few important sections, some being referenced in current sections and others not, but should be. I was thinking about moving things around, but figured I would ask for some feedback before doing so. Below is a rough outline of how IMO it should be organized. Appreciate any feedback!

1. syntax
   • overview with links to sections, etc.
   • needs to be built out more, its pretty bare
   • note importance of understanding the basics of vanilla JS, because jQuery is still JS. :-)
2. reserved words
   • possibly include links to mozilla docs if we have them for each keyword.
   • make note about future reserved/java key words, don't want anyone going on a wild goose chase trying to find
     which browser implements all these java keywords.
3. types
   • primitive
   • objects
   • arrays
   • testing type
4. operators
   • current stuff, plus a link to type conversions when referenced
5. conditionals
   • current stuff, plus a link to type conversions when referenced
6. loops
   • current stuff
7. type conversions
   • be nice to have a table of type conversions
8. truthy and falsy
   • this is referenced in articles but is not written.
9. functions
   • declarations
   • expressions
   • anonymous
   • immediate
10. scope
    • current stuff
11. closures
    • current stuff
12. "this"
    • current stuff
13. continued reading
    • links to solid articles for more learning

[ajpiano]

heya @gjohnson. we are definitely open to improving the content in this section (and all the sections) and the ideas you've presented in your outline sound good. we've been primarily focused on infrastructural issues with the site thus far, so for now, i'd encourage you to start in on just writing the new content you've discussed here and sending that over to us in a pull request. as far as ordering that content goes, we can iron that out more once we've, well, ironed it out more on our end. let me know if you have questions or need additional guidance!

[addyosmani]

Some thoughts:

There are some projects which include a todo.md, wiki entry or lazy request section for action items that anyone wishing to contribute to the project can easily pick up and start working on. Perhaps if we were to do something similar with this list, someone (@gjohnson included) could get some progress made while further infrastructure and tweak work is going on in the foreground.

[gjohnson]

I think that would be great... been quite busy lately so I havent gotten to do too too much with the stuff I would like to see in this project. However, being someone new to contributing I think it would be great to have a todo/needs list for people who are interested in helping out, but do not have a keen eye on picking out what needs to be worked on.

[addyosmani]

@gjohnson just checking in to see if you're still up for helping with this :)

[gjohnson]

@addyosmani Yup! it's #2 on my christmas vacation list. :-) Just pulled down all the changes, the site looks awesome!

[gjohnson]

@addyosmani assuming you would be reviewing these articles, do you have a preference on me submitting pull requests for each chapter in the 101 section, or would you prefer them to come all at once?

[addyosmani]

@gjohnson If you can do them by chapter that would be great. Helps us continue discussions about specific PRs independently :) thanks!

[adrocknaphobia]

@gjohnson: Have you had anytime to work on this? If not, no problem. I'm going to devote some time to the JS101 section today and tomorrow and want to make sure I don't duplicate anything.

I'm setup to contribute (got all the infrastructure stuff squared away), so if you wrote anything and want to send it my way, I'll get it in. I'm going to use your outline as a guide.

[gjohnson]

@adrocknaphobia everything I have done is committed. Add away!

[arthurvr]

Looking at the list in here:

truthy and falsy

Will get addressed with #580

functions: declarations, expressions, anonymous

Is all addressed. What do you think should be included more?

type conversions

#70. Let's keep that discussion focussed in there.

types

Also something for #70.

possibly include links to mozilla docs if we have them for each keyword.

Not really something for a javascript beginners course.

note importance of understanding the basics of vanilla JS, because jQuery is still JS. :-)

At the point people are reading javascript-101, most will not even know what jQuery does. It's something for about-jquery/how-jquery-works.

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Givin all that, time to close down this issue? Are there points that aren't addressed yet? If so, it's better to split up in multiple issues.