[wilmoore]

It is actually a very strong language with a few very well known warts (like every other language on the planet has). The problem is that people try to use it as if it were Ruby, PHP, Python, Java. One can do that, but just know that it is an exercise in futility. It will cause frustration and one will come to the conclusion that JavaScript sucks when in fact, it is just that most people don't really take the time to _understand_ JavaScript.

JavaScript could stand to be a bit less verbose (look into CoffeeScript for some relief if you value your sanity and time) in some areas and type coercion should just go away; but if you use strict mode and strict equality, a huge amount of pain is alleviated.

If one take the time to learn about constructor functions, the prototype chain, and own properties; they are 70% there. Most people can get by on just that.