This page provides information and help concerning JavaScript. A large majority of internet web pages make use of JavaScript to one degree or another. And, some web pages cannot function properly without JavaScript turned on.

What is JavaScript?

JavaScript is a programming language used in conjuction with HTML to control web browsers. It extends the capabilities of HTML to make web pages dynamic and more efficient. It was created by Netscape in 1996 and was originally named LiveScript. JavaScript is totally different from Java and Java Virtual Machine.

JScript was created by Microsoft later in 1996. It has a lot of similarities with JavaScript in order to provide compatibility with multiple browsers.

JavaScript/JScript is built-in to Netscape Navigator and Microsoft Internet Explorer. The user can turn on or turn off the use of JavaScript/JScript in these browsers.

Turning on JavaScript/JScript in different browsers

AOL version 6:

• Click on "Settings" in the menu bar
• Click on "Preferences" in the dropdown menu
• Click on "(Internet Properties) WWW"
• Click on the "Security" tab
• Click on the "Custom Level..." button
• Scroll down the the major area labeled "Scripting"
• Under the subheading "Active Scripting", click on "Enable"

Internet Explorer versions 4 thru 6:

• Click on "Tools" in the menu bar
• Click on "Internet Options" in the dropdown menu
• Click on the "Security" tab
• Click on the "Internet" icon
• Click on the "Custom Level..." button
• Scroll down the the major area labeled "Scripting"
• Under the subheading "Active Scripting", click on "Enable"

Netscape Communicator 4.8:

• Click on "Edit" in the menu bar
• Click on "Preferences" in the dropdown menu
• Click on the "Advanced" option to expand the tree under it
• Click the "Enable JavaScript" checkbox ON

Netscape version 7:

• Click on "Edit" in the menu bar
• Click on "Preferences" in the dropdown menu
• Click on the "Advanced" option to expand the tree under it
• Click on "Scripts & Plugins"
• Under "Enable JavaScript for" click the "Navigator" checkbox ON

Netscape Navigator version 6:

• Click on "Edit" in the menu bar
• Click on "Preferences" in the dropdown menu
• Click on the "Advanced" option to expand the tree under it
• Click the "Enable JavaScript in Navigator" checkbox ON

Netscape Navigator version 4:

• Click on "Edit" in the menu bar
• Click on "Preferences" in the dropdown menu
• Click on the "Advanced" option to expand the tree under it
• Click the "Enable JavaScript" checkbox ON

Netscape Navigator version 3:

• Click on "Options/Network Preferences" in the menu bar
• Click on the "Languages" tab
• Click the "Enable JavaScript" checkbox ON

Netscape Navigator version 2:

• Click on "Options/Security Preferences" in the menu bar
• Click on the "General" tab
• Click the "Enable JavaScript" checkbox ON

Opera version 4 thru 5:

• Click on "File" in the menu bar
• Click on "Preferences" in the dropwdown menu
• Click on the "Plugin" option
• Click the "Enable JavaScript" checkbox ON

Opera version 3:

• Click on "File" in the menu bar
• Click on "Preferences" in the dropwdown menu
• Click on the "Multimedia" option
• Click the "Scripting" checkbox ON

JavaScript/JScript and browser versions

Listed below is an approximate timeline of Netscape Navigator and Microsoft Internet Explorer, and, their support of JavaScript and JScript. Each line in the table below indicates versions of JavaScript and JScript that are similar to each other.

Browser versions listed below are/were unable to handle JavaScript:

• AOL Browser version 1.3 and earlier
• Mosaic version 1.3 and earlier
• Netscape Navigator version 1.1 and earlier
• Internet Explorer version 1.2 and earlier
• Opera version 3.4 and earlier

Click here for help with browsers.