Definition
The <script> HTML element is used to embed or reference external JavaScript code within an HTML document. It is used to define client-side scripts that can add interactivity, perform calculations, manipulate the DOM (Document Object Model), or handle various events on a web page.
Here’s an example of how to use the <script> element:
<script>
function greet() {
console.log("Hello, world!");
}
greet();
</script>
In this example, the <script> element contains JavaScript code that defines a function called greet(). The function logs the message “Hello, world!” to the console. The function is then invoked immediately after its definition.
The <script> element can also be used to reference an external JavaScript file using the src attribute:
<script src="script.js"></script>
In this example, the <script> element references an external JavaScript file called script.js. The file contains the JavaScript code that will be executed on the web page.
By default, the <script> element is placed in the <head> section of an HTML document, but it can also be placed at the end of the <body> section to improve page loading performance. Placing it at the end ensures that the HTML content is loaded first before executing the JavaScript code.
It’s important to note that JavaScript code within the <script> element can manipulate the HTML document, modify styles, interact with server-side APIs, and handle various events. It is a powerful tool for adding functionality and interactivity to web pages.