Build beginner-accessible JavaScript reference articles

[QuincyLarson]

This is a list of the MDN's JavaScript articles. It's clear that they are not sufficiently accessible to beginner developers. Our goal is to create wiki articles that express the same content as these MDN articles, but in more accessible wording where possible, and with simpler examples.

Note that the MDN is creative-commons licensed, and we can link back to their original articles at the bottom of our articles so their original authors get credit, too.

Expressions and operators

• Expressions and operators
• Arithmetic operators
• Array comprehensions
• Assignment operators => Add JS reference article: Assignment Operators #1109
• Bitwise operators
• Comma operator
• Comparison operators
• Conditional (ternary) Operator
• Destructuring assignment
• Expression closures
• Generator comprehensions
• Grouping operator
• Legacy generator function expression
• Logical Operators
• Object initializer
• Operator precedence
• Property accessors
• Spread operator
• class expression
• delete operator
• function expression
• function* expression
• in operator
• instanceof
• new operator
• new.target
• super
• this
• typeof
• void operator
• yield
• yield*

Statements and declarations

• Legacy generator function
• block -=> Add JS Block Article #1188
• break
• class
• const
• continue
• debugger
• default
• do...while
• empty
• export
• for
• for each...in
• for...in
• for...of
• function
• function*
• if...else => Add JS if...else Article #1189
• import
• label
• let
• return
• switch
• throw
• try...catch
• var
• while
• with

Functions

• Arguments object
• Arrow functions
• Default parameters
• Method definitions
• Rest parameters
• getter
• setter

Classes

• Classes
• constructor
• extends
• static

Errors

• JavaScript error reference
• RangeError: argument is not a valid code point
• RangeError: invalid array length
• RangeError: precision is out of range
• RangeError: radix must be an integer
• RangeError: repeat count must be less than infinity
• RangeError: repeat count must be non-negative
• ReferenceError: x is not defined
• ReferenceError: assignment to undeclared variable x
• ReferenceError: deprecated caller or arguments usage
• ReferenceError: reference to undefined property x
• SyntaxError: Malformed formal parameter
• SyntaxError: Using //@ to indicate sourceURL pragmas is deprecated. Use //# instead
• SyntaxError: test for equality (==) mistyped as assignment (=)?
• TypeError: x is (not) y
• TypeError: x is not a function
• TypeError: x is read-only
• TypeError: invalid Array.prototype.sort argument
• TypeError: property x is non-configurable and can't be deleted
• TypeError: variable x redeclares argument
• Warning: unreachable code after return statement

Misc

• Lexical grammar
• JavaScript data structures
• Enumerability and ownership of properties
• Iteration protocols
• Strict mode
• Transitioning to strict mode
• Template literals
• Deprecated features

[ghost]

@Rafase282, Before creating these articles, we need to come up with a template and layout.

[Rafase282]

We could use this.

[QuincyLarson]

@Rafase282 @atjonathan glad you two jumped on this issue so quickly. I created this because of this thread: http://forum.freecodecamp.com/t/anyone-else-think-mdn-code-descriptions-samples-suck/5784

If you see any articles that already exist, could you check them off on this issue?

[dogwaddle]

@QuincyLarson so I'm a little confused now, on what the confusion is about. I thought the issue was with the linked articles in the alogirthm challenges? When I looked at this articles list, I didn't see the Built In Objects, which made go over and look for them on the wiki. I found the String.prototype.split() and it looked like it was just a parsed down version of the MDN version? So that has me wondering if it is just an issue of the challenges linking to the FCC wiki? I was thinking the current pages could be simplified even further, and made this example.

[dogwaddle]

I also sent Chris Mills from MDN an email last night, to see if there is anyway I could go about this(template wise and all) that would be beneficial to both FCC and MDN. He is on vacation until next Wednesday though.

[kmcmcurtis7]

I'm still relatively green in javascript. I just haven't used it enough yet, but understand it enough to explain to newbies and I TA'd at a local Intro to Javascript class with Girl Develop It. I like @Rafase282 template, very simple.

I would love to help, just let me know what you come up with even if we are just taking MDN and parsing it down more. Thanks!

[alayek]

@kmcmcurtis7 we can talk more about this at our Wiki chat room. Feel free to drop by there, if you haven't already.

[Rafase282]

What we already have, feel free to review the content for improvements.

Strict Mode
for of
while loop
for each
for in
for loops, for loops explained
do while

[daniel-chung]

I took a crack at the assignment operator article and just opened a PR #1109. Please provide feedback and improvement suggestions!

[dakshshah96]

Under Statements and declarations, please check block (PR #1188) and if...else (PR #1189).

Cheers!

[ghost]

@dakshshah96, added!
Thanks for your contributions 🎉

[dakshshah96]

Under Statements and declarations, please check break (PR #1194), return (PR #1195) and continue (PR #1200).

Cheers!