What is Javascript?

Javascript is a scripting language used alongside the hypertext markup language (HTML) coding which makes up the web page itself to enhance it and add extra features which are not possible using normal HTML.

Enabling Javascript in your browser allows web designers to create interactive pages or add extra functionality. For example drop down menus, buttons to make navigating websites easier and changing the cursor when you roll over an icon are all tricks done by Javascript.

Javascript should not be confused with Java, which is a fully fledged programming language used to program applications and applets Applets are small applications which get downloaded along with a web page, for example games, interactive maps, currency converters. The downside of these applets is that they can take a quite a while to download and can be used in harmful ways.

Examples of pages created using Javascript and HTML are:

• the navigation bar used on this page, which changes depending on which tab your mouse pointer is on;
• the Matching Pairs, Hangman and Tic Tac Toe games on Kidsweb.

Examples of pages that incorporates Java applets are:

• most of the games on Kidsweb, including Frozen Bubbles (notice that as the game is loading, a progress bar is used to indicate the progress of the download)

How can I enable Javascript in my Web browser?

Javascript can be switched on (enabled) from within your browser by following the instructions below. After you have enabled the Javascript, press the <F5> key on your keyboard to refresh/reload the page that uses javascript.

Microsoft Internet Explorer

1. Launch the Internet Explorer;
2. Click on Tools on the menu bar;
3. Click on Internet Options;
4. Click on the Security tab;
5. Make sure the Internet option is highlighted and click on the Custom Level button to open the security options;
6. Scroll down and look for the entry near the bottom of the list which says Scripting;
7. Make sure that the Active Scripting option is enabled;
8. Click on the OK button to close the panels.

Mozilla Firefox 1.0

1. Launch Mozilla Firefox;
2. Click on Tools on the menu bar;
3. Click on Options;
4. Click on Web Features;
5. Make sure that the Enable Javascript option in the main panel is selected;
6. Click on the OK button.

Mozilla Firefox 1.5

1. Launch Mozilla Firefox;
2. Click on Tools on the menu bar;
3. Click on Options;
4. Click on Content;
5. Make sure that the Enable Javascript option in the main panel is selected;
6. Click on the OK button.

Netscape 6 & 7

1. Launch Netscape;
2. Click on Edit on the menu bar;
3. Click on Preferences...;
4. Click on Advanced;
5. Make sure that the Enable Javascript for Navigator option in the main panel is selected;
6. Click on the OK button.

Netscape 8

1. Launch Netscape;
2. Click on Tools on the menu bar;
3. Click on Options...;
4. Click on Site Controls ;
5. Make sure that the Enable Javascript option in the Web Features panel is selected;
6. Click on the OK button.

Opera 6 & 7

1. Launch Opera;
2. Click on File on the menu bar;
3. Point to Quick Preferences;
4. Make sure that the Enable Javascript option is selected.

Opera 8

1. Launch Opera;
2. Click on Tools on the menu bar;
3. Point to Quick Preferences;
4. Make sure that the Enable Javascript option is selected.