# JavaScript glossary: Novice level

50 JavaScript terms at the Novice level, each with a short definition and a link to its full page.

Updated: October 19, 2026

[Study these as flash cards](https://www.ask-codey.com/decks/javascript/novice)

- [<script> Element](https://www.ask-codey.com/glossary/script-element): An HTML element that loads or contains JavaScript for a web page.
- [Arithmetic Operators](https://www.ask-codey.com/glossary/arithmetic-operators-javascript-2): The math symbols: + - \* / // % \*\*.
- [Arithmetic Operators (JavaScript)](https://www.ask-codey.com/glossary/arithmetic-operators-javascript): 3 + 4 // addition
- [Array - Access Element - JavaScript](https://www.ask-codey.com/glossary/array-access-element-javascript): Array indexes are 0 based.
- [Array - JavaScript](https://www.ask-codey.com/glossary/array-javascript): An array is a collection of multiple values in a single variable.
- [Assignment](https://www.ask-codey.com/glossary/assignment-javascript): Storing a value in a variable with a single =.
- [BigInt](https://www.ask-codey.com/glossary/bigint): A numeric primitive for integers larger than Number can safely represent.
- [Block Scope](https://www.ask-codey.com/glossary/block-scope): The region inside braces where let and const declarations are available.
- [Browser Console](https://www.ask-codey.com/glossary/browser-console): A browser development panel for inspecting messages, errors, and JavaScript values.
- [camelCase](https://www.ask-codey.com/glossary/camelcase-javascript): A naming style that starts lowercase and capitalizes each later word.
- [Character - JavaScript](https://www.ask-codey.com/glossary/character-javascript): A character is a single letter, digit, punctuation or any other special character.
- [Comment](https://www.ask-codey.com/glossary/comment-javascript): Text written for people reading the code that the JavaScript engine ignores.
- [Comparison Operators](https://www.ask-codey.com/glossary/comparison-operators-javascript): Symbols like == and < that compare two values and answer True or False.
- [console.log()](https://www.ask-codey.com/glossary/console-log): A method that writes a value to the runtime's development console.
- [const](https://www.ask-codey.com/glossary/const-javascript): A keyword that declares a block-scoped variable that can't be given a new value.
- [ECMAScript](https://www.ask-codey.com/glossary/ecmascript): The language standard that defines how JavaScript syntax and behavior work.
- [else Statement](https://www.ask-codey.com/glossary/else-statement): A branch that runs when its matching if condition is falsy.
- [Falsy](https://www.ask-codey.com/glossary/falsy): A value treated as false when JavaScript evaluates it as a condition.
- [if Statement](https://www.ask-codey.com/glossary/if-statement-javascript): Runs a block of code only when a condition is true.
- [JavaScript](https://www.ask-codey.com/glossary/javascript): A programming language used to add behavior to web pages and build applications in browsers, servers, and other runtimes.
- [JavaScript Data Types](https://www.ask-codey.com/glossary/javascript-data-types): JavaScript basic data types are string, number and boolean.
- [JavaScript Engine](https://www.ask-codey.com/glossary/javascript-engine): Software that reads and executes JavaScript code.
- [JavaScript Runtime](https://www.ask-codey.com/glossary/javascript-runtime): An environment combining a JavaScript engine with APIs such as timers, files, or browser features.
- [JavaScript variable](https://www.ask-codey.com/glossary/javascript-variable): A variable is a named alias for a value that you want to use in your application.
- [let](https://www.ask-codey.com/glossary/let): A keyword that declares a block-scoped variable that can be reassigned.
- [Logical Operators](https://www.ask-codey.com/glossary/logical-operators-javascript): and, or and not: they combine True/False checks.
- [Naming Conventions (JavaScript)](https://www.ask-codey.com/glossary/naming-conventions-javascript): JavaScript predominantly uses 2 naming conventions: camelCase and PascalCase.
- [NaN](https://www.ask-codey.com/glossary/nan): A special Number value meaning the result is not a valid number.
- [Node.js](https://www.ask-codey.com/glossary/node-js): A JavaScript runtime commonly used for servers, command-line tools, and automation.
- [null](https://www.ask-codey.com/glossary/null): A primitive value deliberately used to represent no object or value.
- [Number](https://www.ask-codey.com/glossary/number): JavaScript's main numeric type for both whole and fractional numbers.
- [Primitive Value](https://www.ask-codey.com/glossary/primitive-value): A value that is not an object, such as a string, number, boolean, null, or undefined.
- [Runtime Error](https://www.ask-codey.com/glossary/runtime-error-javascript): A problem that occurs while a compiled program is running.
- [Script](https://www.ask-codey.com/glossary/script-javascript): A file or block of JavaScript code that a browser or another runtime can execute.
- [Semicolon](https://www.ask-codey.com/glossary/semicolon-javascript): A punctuation mark that can end a JavaScript statement.
- [Snake Case](https://www.ask-codey.com/glossary/snake-case): All letters are lower case, each word is separated by an underscore.
- [Strict Equality (===)](https://www.ask-codey.com/glossary/strict-equality): A comparison that requires equal values and matching types without coercion.
- [String](https://www.ask-codey.com/glossary/string-javascript-2): Text inside quotes, like \\"hello\\" or 'coffee'.
- [String - JavaScript](https://www.ask-codey.com/glossary/string-javascript): A string is a series of characters (letters and/or digits).
- [String Interpolation](https://www.ask-codey.com/glossary/string-interpolation-javascript): Placing an expression inside ${} so its value becomes part of a template literal.
- [switch Statement](https://www.ask-codey.com/glossary/switch-statement-javascript): A statement that selects a code path by matching one value against cases.
- [Syntax Error](https://www.ask-codey.com/glossary/syntax-error): An error caused by code that does not follow JavaScript's grammar.
- [Template Literal](https://www.ask-codey.com/glossary/template-literal): A string enclosed by backticks that supports interpolation and multiple lines.
- [Truthy](https://www.ask-codey.com/glossary/truthy): A value treated as true when JavaScript evaluates it as a condition.
- [Type Coercion](https://www.ask-codey.com/glossary/type-coercion): JavaScript's conversion of a value from one type to another, either automatically or explicitly.
- [typeof Operator](https://www.ask-codey.com/glossary/typeof-operator): An operator that returns a string describing a value's basic type.
- [undefined](https://www.ask-codey.com/glossary/undefined): The primitive value used when a value has not been assigned or is missing.
- [var](https://www.ask-codey.com/glossary/var-javascript): An older keyword for declaring a variable that belongs to the whole function, not just the block it's in.
- [Variable](https://www.ask-codey.com/glossary/variable-javascript): A name that holds a value, like a labelled box.
- [Variable Declaration](https://www.ask-codey.com/glossary/variable-declaration): A statement that creates a variable name with let, const, or var.

- Next level: [Apprentice](https://www.ask-codey.com/glossary/subjects/javascript/apprentice)

[Every JavaScript term, by level](https://www.ask-codey.com/glossary/subjects/javascript)

Source: https://www.ask-codey.com/glossary/subjects/javascript/novice