What is JavaScript?

Currently I am doing a course in JavaScript.  JavaScript is a simple code which is used in making webpages.  We have only just touched base on it at the moment, but I can tell you that it is different to C and basic in that it the is given to the browser as the source code, which means that your browser has to compile it before it displays it on the screen, unlike C, which is compiled before it is released as software, so the user doesn't normally get to see or change the source, unless it is opensource (such as Firefox or Linux).