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1.2 JS Where To

The <script> Tag

In HTML, JavaScript code is inserted between <script> and </script> tags.

Example 1: JavaScript in Body

<script>
document.getElementById("demo").innerHTML = "My First JavaScript";
</script>

Old JavaScript examples may use a type attribute: <script type="text/javascript">. The type attribute is not required. JavaScript is the default scripting language in HTML.

JavaScript Functions and Events

A JavaScript function is a block of JavaScript code, that can be executed when "called" for.
For example, a function can be called when an event occurs, like when the user clicks a button.

You will learn much more about functions and events in later chapters.

JavaScript in <head> or <body>

You can place any number of scripts in an HTML document.
Scripts can be placed in the <body>, or in the <head> section of an HTML page, or in both.

JavaScript in <head>

In this example, a JavaScript function is placed in the <head> section of an HTML page.
The function is invoked (called) when a button is clicked:

Example 2: Demo JavaScript in Head

<!DOCTYPE html>
<html>

<head>
<script>
function myFunction() {
  document.getElementById("demo").innerHTML = "Paragraph changed.";
}
</script>
</head>
<body>

<h1>A Web Page</h1>
<p id="demo">A Paragraph</p>
<button type="button" onclick="myFunction()">Try it</button>

</body>
</html>

JavaScript in <body>

In this example, a JavaScript function is placed in the <body> section of an HTML page.
The function is invoked (called) when a button is clicked/pressed:

Example 3: Demo JavaScript in Body

<!DOCTYPE html>
<html>
<body>

<h1>A Web Page</h1>
<p id="demo">A Paragraph</p>
<button type="button" onclick="myFunction()">Try it</button>

<script>
function myFunction() {
  document.getElementById("demo").innerHTML = "Paragraph changed.";
}
</script>

</body>
</html>

Placing scripts at the bottom of the <body> element improves the display speed, because script interpretation slows down the display.

External JavaScript

Scripts can also be placed in external files:

External file: myScript.js

function myFunction() {
  document.getElementById("demo").innerHTML = "Paragraph changed.";
}

External scripts are practical when the same code is used in many different web pages.
JavaScript files have the file extension .js.
To use an external script, put the name of the script file in the src (source) attribute of a <script> tag:

Example 4: Demo External JavaScript

 <script src="myScript.js"></script>

You can place an external script reference in <head> or <body> as you like.
The script will behave as if it was located exactly where the <script> tag is located.

External scripts cannot contain <script> tags.

External JavaScript Advantages

Placing scripts in external files has some advantages:

It separates HTML and code
It makes HTML and JavaScript easier to read and maintain
Cached JavaScript files can speed up page loads

To add several script files to one page - use several script tags:

Example

<script src="myScript1.js"></script>
<script src="myScript2.js"></script>

External References

External scripts can be referenced with a full URL or with a path relative to the current web page.
This example uses a full URL to link to a script:

Example 5: External JavaScript part 1

<script src="https://www.w3schools.com/js/myScript1.js"></script>

This example uses a script located in a specified folder on the current web site:

Example 6: External JavaScript part 2

 <script src="/js/myScript1.js"></script>

This example links to a script located in the same folder as the current page:

Example 7: External JavaScript part 3

 <script src="myScript1.js"></script>

You can read more about file paths in the chapter HTML File Paths.

JavaScript Fundamentals course home
Module 1. Introduction to JavaScript

Navigate this module

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Example files created in this module:
What Can JavaScript Do? part 1 What Can JavaScript Do? part 2 What Can JavaScript Do? part 3 What Can JavaScript Do? part 4 What Can JavaScript Do? part 5 What Can JavaScript Do? part 6 JavaScript in Body Demo JavaScript in Head Demo JavaScript in Body Demo External JavaScript External JavaScript part 1 External JavaScript part 2 External JavaScript part 3 My First Web Page part 1 My First Web Page part 2 My First Web Page part 3 My First Web Page part 4 My First Web Page part 5 Activate Debugging The window.print() Method JavaScript Statements part 1 JavaScript Statements part 2 JavaScript Statements part 3 JavaScript Statements part 4 JavaScript Statements part 5 JavaScript Statements part 6 JavaScript Numbers JavaScript Strings JavaScript Variables JavaScript Operators Assigning JavaScript Values JavaScript Expressions part 1 JavaScript Expressions part 2 JavaScript Expressions part 3 The var Keyword Creates Variables JavaScript Comments are NOT Executed JavaScript is Case Sensitive More JavaScript Comments JavaScript Comments part 2 JavaScript Comments part 3 JavaScript Comments part 4 JavaScript Comments part 5