# Before starting
Before embarking on this exciting journey of creating a bot with discord.js, there's something important to be done: getting to know JavaScript thoroughly. Understanding this language is the foundation upon which we'll build our bot, and the absence of this knowledge can make the experience less thrilling.
Imagine that you want to build a car – you wouldn't start building it without first knowing how an engine works, right? Similarly, to create an effective bot, you need to comprehend the inner workings of JavaScript.
What happens when you skip this step? Well, you might find yourself in a sort of labyrinth of puzzles, where simple problems can seem insurmountable challenges. It's like trying to navigate a minefield without knowing where the mines are!
The good news is that there's a wealth of resources available to help you learn JavaScript:
- Eloquent JavaScript (opens new window): A comprehensive and free online book that's both informative and engaging.
- JavaScript.info (opens new window): A modern JavaScript tutorial that's perfect for beginners.
- Codecademy's Interactive JavaScript Course (opens new window): Dive into interactive lessons to make learning JavaScript enjoyable.
- Nodeschool (opens new window): A platform offering interactive JavaScript and Node.js lessons.
- MDN's JavaScript Guide and Full Documentation (opens new window): MDN provides excellent JavaScript documentation for all levels.
- Google (opens new window): Don't underestimate the power of searching for your questions on Google – it can be your best friend on this journey.
If you're looking for a free, modern JavaScript course, consider the following:
- Free Modern JavaScript Course on YouTube (opens new window): This video course covers modern JavaScript concepts and is a great place to start.
Once you've gained confidence in your JavaScript skills, you can return to embark on the exciting world of bot creation:
- A Guide For Donkeys: Where literally anyone can learn to create and manipulate a bot in discord.js.
- Discord.js Guide (opens new window): A comprehensive guide to building bots with discord.js.
- Discord.js Official Website (opens new window): The official website for the discord.js library.
- Discord Official Docs (opens new window): Official documentation from Discord for bot development.
As you explore these resources, remember that learning is a continuous process, and consistent practice is the key to becoming a proficient developer. Enjoy your learning journey!