Where to Put JavaScript

Where to Put JavaScript

There are three main ways to add JavaScript to your web pages.

1. Inside HTML (script tag)

You can write JavaScript between <script> tags:

<script>
  document.getElementById("demo").innerHTML = "Hello!";
</script>

2. In an external file

Write JavaScript in a .js file and link it:

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

This is the recommended way. It keeps code organized and reusable across pages.

3. In HTML attributes (avoid)

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

Inline event handlers work but mix JavaScript with HTML, which gets messy.

Where in the page?

• Put scripts in the head for functions used early.
• Put scripts just before </body> so the page renders first, which is common practice.

The .js file extension

External files use the .js extension and contain only JavaScript, no <script> tags.

TL;DR

• JavaScript goes inside <script> tags or external .js files.
• External files are linked with <script src="...">.
• Put scripts before </body> so the page loads fast.
• External files are the cleanest, most reusable approach.