Advantages and Disadvantages of JavaScript

Like all computer languages, JavaScript has certain advantages and disadvantages. Many of the pros and cons are related to being a client-side language.

Advantages of JavaScript

• Speed. Being client-side, JavaScript is very fast because any code functions can be run immediately instead of having to contact the server and wait for an answer.
• Simplicity. JavaScript is relatively simple to learn and implement.
• Versatility. JavaScript plays nicely with other languages and can be used in a huge variety of applications. Unlike PHP or SSI scripts, JavaScript can be inserted into any web page regardless of the file extension. JavaScript can also be used inside scripts written in other languages such as Perl and PHP.
• Server Load. Being client-side reduces the demand on the website server.

Disadvantages of JavaScript

• Security. Because the code executes on the users' computer, in some cases it can be exploited for malicious purposes. This is one reason some people choose to disable JavaScript.
• Reliance on End User. JavaScript is sometimes interpreted differently by different browsers. Whereas server-side scripts will always produce the same output, client-side scripts can be a little unpredictable. Don't be overly concerned by this though - as long as you test your script in all the major browsers you should be safe.