Everyone has JavaScript, right?

How your JS reaches the user

Your user requests your web app
Has the page loaded yet?

“All your users are non-JS while they're downloading your JS”

- Jake Archibald

Did the HTTP request for the JavaScript succeed?

If they're on a train and their net connection goes away before your JavaScript loads, then there's no JavaScript.

Did the HTTP request for the JavaScript complete?

How many times have you had a mobile browser hang forever loading a page and then load it instantly when you refresh?

Does the corporate firewall block JavaScript?

Because loads of them still do.

Does their isp or mobile operator interfere with downloaded JavaScript?

Sky accidentally block jQuery, Comcast insert ads into your script, and if you've never experienced this before, drive to an airport and use their wifi.

Is the user a microbrowser, getting details to embed in another app?

Microbrowsers are everywhere, every time someone pastes your URL into a chat app or a social media tool and it shows a preview, and they aren't going to wait for your 2MB client app to boot up.

Have they switched off JavaScript?

People still do.

Do they have Chrome's data saver mode turned on?

If they do, and they're on a 2G or otherwise slow connection, Chrome will disable all scripting.

Do they have addons or plugins installed which inject script or alter the dom in ways you didn't anticipate?

There are thousands of browser extensions. Are you sure none interfere with your JS?

Does their adblocker block a script you’re accidentally dependent on?

Many people use adblockers, which may blanket-block whole domains. If you have one script dependent on another and that other script gets blocked, the remainder of your scripting may not start up.

Is the CDN up?

CDNs are good at staying up (that’s what being a CDN is) but a minute downtime a month will still hit users who browse in that minute.

Does their browser support the JavaScript you’ve written?

Check Can I Use for browser usage figures.

Is all the above true? Then yes, your JavaScript works. PROBABLY.

Progressive enhancement. Because sometimes your JavaScript just won’t work. Be prepared.

You don't need JS to show fucking text and pictures

When your website doesn't load the basic info about how to contact you and where to find your office, just because you made it so it only works with JavaScript on, you make it less accessible for the world. People literally go to your website and see an empty page with no content. If you care at all about your users, make it so your website shows whatever it can without JS.

If you obfuscate your JS and still believe in Open Source, you're being hypocritical

JS runs on client side. Users have the right to know what code they are about to execute from some unknown person somewhere in the world.