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If you’re wondering where to put your Javascript code in your HTML, you’re not alone. Many developers struggle with this question. Read on to learn the best practices for placing Javascript in your HTML.
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Introduction
JavaScript can be placed in either the
or sections of your HTML. However, there are some rule of thumbs to follow when deciding which one to use.If your JavaScript is simple and small, like a function that runs when a button is clicked, you can put it in the
section. If your JavaScript is more complex larger, like an entire game or app, it goes in the section.JavaScript placed in the
section does not slow down page loading because it is not executed until the entire page has loaded. So, if you have a lot of small JavaScript functions in the section, it will not slow down your page.One downside to putting JavaScript in the
section is that you have to put all your code before the tag because everything after has already loaded. So if you want to put a function that uses HTML element that comes after the , you need put your script in the .The ‘Script’ Element
The HTML ‘script’ element is used to embed or reference a JavaScript code. The script element can be placed in the head or body of an HTML document.
If the script element is placed in the head section, it is executed when the page is loaded. If it is placed in the body section, it is executed when the statement is reached.
The script element has two attributes which are mandatory for older versions of HTML:
type: This attribute specifies the scripting language used in the code. For JavaScript, this attribute should be set to “text/javascript”.
src: This attribute specifies the URL of an external script file. If this attribute is present, it must have a value that contains a URI.
The ‘noscript’ Element
If a browser does not support script, or if the user has disabled scripting, it will display the content inside the ‘noscript’ element. Script-supporting browsers ignore the ‘noscript’ element.
The ‘noscript’ element should only contain information that is useful to users who don’t have access to script, or who have disabled script in their browser. Do not put misleading information in the ‘noscript’ element.
When to Use an External Script
If your website uses a lot of JavaScript, you may want to consider using an external script. This means that your JavaScript code will be stored in a separate file and linked to your HTML file. There are several benefits to using an external script:
-Your HTML file will be smaller and easier to read.
-Your JavaScript code will be cached by the browser, which means it will load faster the second time around.
-You can link to the same external script on multiple HTML pages, which means you don’t have to duplicate your code.
Of course, there are also some drawbacks to using an external script:
-It requires an extra HTTP request, which can slow down the loading of your page.
-It can be more difficult to debug if something goes wrong.
When to Use an Inline Script
Sometimes it just makes sense to write a quick little script and throw it right into your HTML. When the script is short and not likely to be reused, or when you’re experimenting, inline scripts can be very useful. To insert an inline script, just put the code right inside any “` tag. As long as you call document.write() before the browser reaches the tag, you can add HTML anywhere on the page.
Conclusion
In conclusion, there is no "right" answer to the question of where to put your JavaScript code in your HTML. It depends on what you're trying to accomplish, and sometimes it's even appropriate to put your code in multiple places. However, if you're just starting out, we recommend putting your code in the section of your HTML.
