Chapter 2

JavaScript in HTML

WHAT’S IN THIS CHAPTER?

• Using the <script> element
• Comparing inline and external scripts
• Examining how document modes affect JavaScript
• Preparing for JavaScript-disabled experiences

The introduction of JavaScript into web pages immediately ran into the Web’s predominant language, HTML. As part of its original work on JavaScript, Netscape tried to figure out how to make JavaScript coexist in HTML pages without breaking those pages’ rendering in other browsers. Through trial, error, and controversy, several decisions were finally made and agreed upon to bring universal scripting support to the Web. Much of the work done in these early days of the Web has survived and become formalized in the HTML specification.