JavaScript Syntax

JavaScript syntax is the set of rules for writing instructions that the computer can understand. Just like English sentences need proper grammar, JavaScript needs proper syntax to make the code work.

Here are the main rules every beginner should know:

Case-Sensitivity

JavaScript is case-sensitive.

myName and myname are two different variables.

let myName = "Sara";
let myname = "Alex";

console.log(myName); // Sara
console.log(myname); // Alex

Semicolons (;)

Semicolons mark the end of a statement.

let age = 20;
console.log("You are", age);

Code Blocks `{ }`

Code blocks group multiple statements.

if (true) {
  let message = "Hello!";
  console.log(message);
}

Whitespace

Extra spaces, tabs, or new lines don’t affect the code — but they make it easier to read.

// Good
let name = "Alex";
console.log("Hello", name);

// Bad
let x=10;console.log(x);

Keywords

Keywords are reserved words like let, if, return.

They cannot be used as variable names.

let color = "Blue";   // 
let if = 5;           // Error

Comments

Comments are ignored by JavaScript but help explain code.

// Single-line comment

/* Multi-line
   comment */

Identifiers & Naming Rules

Identifiers are names for variables, functions, etc.

Rules:

Must start with a letter, _, or $
Cannot start with a number
Cannot be a keyword

let userName = "Alex"; // ✅
let 123name = "Sara";  // ❌

Literals

Literals are fixed values in code.

let age = 25;          // Number literal
let name = "Sara";     // String literal
let isOnline = true;   // Boolean literal

Operators

Operators perform actions on values.

let x = 5 + 10;   // Addition
let y = 20 - 5;   // Subtraction
let z = x * y;    // Multiplication