JavaScript’s creation story is quite the ride. In just ten days, Brendan Eich wrote the first working version at Netscape. Released publicly in 1995, JavaScript now runs on nearly every website, claiming a whopping 98.9% share in client-side coding. It’s everywhere—powering not only web pages but also server backends, mobile apps, and embedded systems. Surveys consistently place JavaScript among the top programming languages worldwide.
### Origins and Popularity of JavaScript
JavaScript emerged from Netscape’s quest for a lightweight scripting language that could add interactivity to web pages. Eich drew inspiration from various languages, notably Java for syntax, and incorporated ideas from Scheme and Self for the language’s core functionalities.
Originally, JavaScript faced competition and skepticism but gathered endorsements from 28 tech companies, including big names like Digital Equipment Corporation and Silicon Graphics. However, many of these companies have faded away, while JavaScript flourished, proving its staying power in the tech landscape.
### Development Challenges and Quirks
Although the ten-day sprint produced a working demo, it wasn’t designed perfectly. Over the next year, Netscape made many revisions, which sometimes led to issues that developers still note today. The rushed timeline resulted in quirks that would annoy programmers long after the initial release.
- Initial demo, not fully developed
- Continued tweaks after the first prototype
- Permanent quirks still debated
### A Legacy That Outlasted Its Creators
JavaScript not only survives but thrives while companies that initially backed it have mostly vanished. The language’s adaptability has kept it relevant, evolving alongside technology.
Even as its creators and sponsors changed hands—like Sun Microsystems acquired by Oracle and Netscape by AOL—JavaScript remains at the forefront of web development, blending innovation with history.
