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How do I run a JavaScript script in HTML?

To run a JavaScript script in HTML, you can simply include your script within the

Another way to run a JavaScript script in HTML is by linking an external JavaScript file using the

Inline JavaScript

One simple way to run a JavaScript script in HTML is by using inline JavaScript. Inline JavaScript refers to adding your JavaScript code directly within the HTML document. You can achieve this by utilizing the <script> tag within the HTML markup.

To execute a JavaScript script inline, you can use the following syntax:

<script>
    // Your JavaScript code here
</script>

Simply replace // Your JavaScript code here with your actual JavaScript code, and it will be executed when the browser encounters the <script> tag.

Example:

<html>
<body>
    <h1>Inline JavaScript Example</h1>
    
    <script>
        var greet = "Hello, World!";
        console.log(greet);
    </script>
</body>
</html>

The above code demonstrates an example of inline JavaScript in an HTML document. The JavaScript code within the <script> tags initializes a variable greet with the value "Hello, World!" and logs it to the console. When you load this HTML page in a browser, it will display "Hello, World!" in the console.

External JavaScript File

Inline JavaScript works well for small scripts, but for larger scripts or scripts used in multiple HTML documents, it's more efficient to include them as external JavaScript files. External JavaScript files allow you to separate your code into different files, making it easier to maintain and reuse.

Follow these steps to include an external JavaScript file in your HTML:

  1. Create a new JavaScript file with a .js extension, e.g., myscript.js.
  2. Add your JavaScript code within this file, e.g., console.log("This is an external script.");
  3. In your HTML document, add the following code within the <head> section to link the external JavaScript file to your HTML document.
<script src="path/to/myscript.js"></script>

Replace path/to/myscript.js with the actual path to your JavaScript file.

Example:

HTML File (index.html):

<html>
<head>
    <title>External JavaScript Example</title>
    <script src="path/to/myscript.js"></script>
</head>
<body>
    <h1>External JavaScript Example</h1>
    <p>Check the console for the output.</p>
</body>
</html>

JavaScript File (myscript.js):

console.log("This is an external script.");

In the example above, the <script src="path/to/myscript.js"></script> tag is added within the <head> section of the HTML document. When you load this HTML page in a browser, it will load and execute the JavaScript code from the external file.

Event Handlers

Another way to run a JavaScript script in HTML is by using event handlers. Event handlers are functions that are triggered by specific events such as button clicks, form submissions, or mouse movements.

You can assign an event handler to an HTML element by using the on attribute. The on attribute specifies the event and the JavaScript code to execute when that event occurs.

For example, to trigger a JavaScript function when a button is clicked, you can use the following syntax:

<button onclick="myFunction()">Click Me</button>

This code assigns the JavaScript function myFunction() to the onclick event of the button element. When the button is clicked, the defined function will be executed.

Example:

<html>
<body>
    <h1>Event Handler Example</h1>
    
    <button onclick="showAlert()">Click Me</button>
    
    <script>
        function showAlert() {
            alert("Button clicked!");
        }
    </script>
</body>
</html>

In the above code, when you click the "Click Me" button, it triggers the showAlert() function, which displays an alert with the message "Button clicked!".

Incorporating JavaScript scripts into your HTML documents allows you to create dynamic and interactive web pages. In this article, we covered three methods to run JavaScript scripts in HTML: inline JavaScript, external JavaScript files, and event handlers.

Inline JavaScript is useful for small scripts directly embedded within HTML, while external JavaScript files provide more flexibility for larger scripts that can be reused across multiple pages. Event handlers allow you to execute JavaScript code in response to specific events.

Understanding how to utilize JavaScript in HTML will greatly enhance your ability to create dynamic and engaging web experiences. Experiment with these methods to provide your HTML documents with powerful interactivity and functionality.

Running a JavaScript script in HTML is achieved by including the script within the