JavaScript is not Java. In fact, the only connections between JavaScript and Java are that both are programming languages that are often used to enliven web pages. The original name for JavaScript was LiveScript. The name was changed, through an agreement between Netscape and Sun Microsystems, in order to create a marketing connection which, it was hoped, would benefit both products.

Unlike Java, JavaScript is a completely interpreted language. Whereas Java programs must be compiled to Java byte codes by a Java compiler before they can be executed, JavaScript programs are recorded as ASCII text in the body of an HTML web page. The Web browser (such as Netscape or MicroSloth's InnerEgg Eggsploder) interprets the JavaScript source code on the client machine.

The fact that JavaScript programs are interpreted from source code makes it very easy to get started in JavaScript programming. All you need to begin JavaScript programming is a text editor and a JavaScript-enabled browser (Netscape 2.0 or after, MicroSloth Eggsploder 3.0 or after). You don't even need a compiler.

If you'd like to learn more about JavaScript, here are some resources that should provide all that you'll need to become an expert JavaScript programmer in no time at all.

WebMonkey's JavaScript tutorial

A unbiased and entertaining tutorial limited to those features which are common to both the Netscape and MicroSloth implementations.

Netscape's JavaScript Reference Guide

with a table of contents and an index.