Manual Script Tags
Manual script tags refer to the practice of manually adding <script> elements to HTML documents to load JavaScript files or inline scripts, typically in the <head> or <body> sections. This is a foundational web development technique for including client-side JavaScript code directly without relying on build tools or module bundlers. It allows developers to control the order and location of script execution, which is crucial for dependencies and performance optimization.
Developers should learn manual script tags when working on simple websites, legacy projects, or when needing fine-grained control over script loading without modern tooling overhead. It's essential for understanding how JavaScript integrates with HTML, debugging script issues, and optimizing page load times by managing async/defer attributes or placement. Use cases include prototyping, educational purposes, or maintaining older codebases that don't use module systems.