I'm a college student working on a project where I need to learn JavaScript for backend development. I already have some programming experience with languages like C, C++, Rust, and Python, as well as some foundational knowledge of functional programming with Haskell. Additionally, I have a bit of backend experience with async Rust and the Actix Web framework, where I supported RESTful APIs and performed basic database operations. Our project involves building a web game similar to GeoGuessr, and we're planning to use Node.js and Socket.IO. Can anyone recommend some good resources to help me get started with JavaScript? (Apologies for any language mistakes; English isn't my first language.)
3 Answers
I would skip the beginner tutorials and head straight for the Node.js and Socket.IO docs. Given your experience, you'll quickly grasp the language's quirks. If you find async programming or closures tricky, consider looking at the "You Don't Know JS" series for some clarity. Overall, think of JavaScript as Rust without the strict compiler warnings.
Since you have a solid background in programming, transitioning to JavaScript should be quite smooth for you. I recommend starting with the Node.js documentation to get familiar with the environment you're working in. Also, check out some tutorials on Socket.IO, as that's going to be a crucial part of your learning for real-time features.
You're going to find JavaScript syntax pretty easy coming from Rust and C++. The async model might catch you off guard at first, but don't worry! I think javascript.info is one of the best resources out there for structured learning—it’s better than MDN for that. For backend work, dive into Express or Fastify and start building something simple. If you can, consider picking up TypeScript early on since it will feel more familiar to you given your background in typed languages; it will save you a lot of headaches later on.

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