Next Steps After JavaScript Basics
Practice at Home
- Create more stories: Try different themes (space adventure, mystery, comedy)
- Experiment with data types: Mix strings, numbers, and booleans in creative ways
- Use math operators: Add scores, count items, calculate things
- Try the Node REPL: Type
node(no filename) to experiment with JavaScript interactively
Get Ready for Interactive HTML + JavaScript (Workshop #3)
- Watch HTML basics videos: Learn about tags, elements, and structure
- Look at web page source code: Right-click any page and view source
- Think about interactivity: What buttons or forms have you used on websites?
- Review your variables: You’ll be using them to store user input!
Explore More (If Curious)
- JavaScript.info - The Modern JavaScript Tutorial: Start with “The JavaScript language” section
- FreeCodeCamp JavaScript: Free interactive tutorials
- Node.js Getting Started Guide: Official Node.js documentation
- MDN JavaScript Guide: Comprehensive reference
Keep It Safe and Fun
- Save your work regularly: Use
git add .andgit commit -m "description" - Experiment freely: You can’t break your computer with JavaScript!
- Read error messages: They’re your friends - they tell you exactly what’s wrong
- Celebrate small wins: Every working line of code is an achievement
Challenges to Try
Challenge 1: Mad Libs Generator
Create a story that uses 5-10 variables for funny replacements:
const adjective = "sparkly";
const noun = "banana";
const verb = "dancing";
console.log("The " + adjective + " " + noun + " was " + verb + "!");
Challenge 2: Character Profile
Make a detailed character introduction with name, age, skills, and backstory.
Challenge 3: Adventure Score Tracker
Use let variables to track points that change throughout a story.
Challenge 4: Multiple Chapters
Create a long story with chapters using console.log for structure:
console.log("=== Chapter 1 ===");
// ... story ...
console.log("");
console.log("=== Chapter 2 ===");
// ... more story ...
Challenge 5: True/False Facts
Use boolean variables to track achievements, abilities, or quest completions.
Questions or Stuck?
- Review the workshop materials
- Check the Common Questions guide
- Ask in the workshop Discord/Slack (if available)
- Remember: every programmer was once exactly where you are now!
Looking Ahead
Next Workshop: Interactive HTML + JavaScript (2/5/2026)
- Your variables will store real user input
- Your code will respond to button clicks
- You’ll build interactive web pages
- JavaScript in the browser!