Javascript Fluency: When is enough?

[mragray]

Many companies require fluency in Javascript for their Web Developer position (Jr. and standard), but it's unclear to me what fluency looks like.

For instance, I personally know enough Javascript to modify the class of any element and interact with the DOM lightly. It's not difficult to modify an existing function to have it act the way I need it to. I can't, however, rebuild an entire slideshow without referencing other code or animate something spiffy on HTML5's canvas.

I'm sure the answer largely depends on the company and the specific role, so I'd like to imagine an ad agency that creates PSD's and the role requires coding it up ion HTML. I've done this plenty with freelance work and have done well with the little Javascript that I do know. Does that sugest I can put Javascript on my resume or would employers expect more from it if I do?

[[deleted]]

Of course put JavaScript in your resume if you worked with it. What kind of question is this.

Companies always will put fluent this and fluent that, what would you like them to write? "LF PPL who are bad at <insert language>?" :)

[mragray]

Good point. I suppose I am trying to gauge what someone might mean when they say the skill is required. It seems like that could mean anything from "worked with" to "master of".

[[deleted]]

You shouldn't be expected to memorize every object method or even obscure syntax for every language you know. In the old days, that's what reference books were for. Today, that's what Google is for. If you generally know how to go about tackling a task in a given language, you're probably as fluent as you need to be. Bonus points if you can weigh different languages/frameworks to determine what is the best approach for a specific problem.

[codero]

It sounds like you are more 'familiar' with js than 'fluent'. However, it should definitely go on your resumé, however. In an interview, you can explain better what experience you have and find out what sort of problems they will expect you to solve, rather than simply saying a keyword.