Head First JavaScript

Head First Series

by Michael Morrison

So you're ready to make the leap from writing HTML and CSS web pages to creating dynamic web applications. You want to take your web skills to the next level. And you're finally ready to add "programmer" to the resume. It sounds like you're ready to learn the Web's hottest programming language: JavaScript. Head First JavaScript is your ticket to going beyond copying and pasting the code from someone else's web site, and writing your own interactive web pages. With Head First JavaScript, you learn: The basics of programming, from variables to types to looping How the web browser runs your code, and how you can talk to the browser with your code Why you'll never have to worry about casting, overloading, or polymorphism when you're writing JavaScript code How to use the Document Object Model to change your web pages without making your users click buttons If you've ever read a Head First book, you know what to expect -- a visually rich format designed for the way your brain works. Head First JavaScript is no exception. It starts where HTML and CSS leave off, and takes you through your first program into more complex programming concepts -- like working directly with the web browser's object model and writing code that works on all modern browsers. Don't be intimidated if you've never written a line of code before! In typical Head First style, Head First JavaScript doesn't skip steps, and we're not interested in having you cut and paste code. You'll learn JavaScript, understand it, and have a blast along the way. So get ready... dynamic and exciting web pages are just pages away.

Genres: Programming, Technology, Technical, Nonfiction, Reference, Computers, Computer Science

652 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 11, 2007

Reviews

[Charles · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Head First series has been a very interesting breakthrough in programming, because they are programming books that don't look like programming books. They are filled with pictures, funny stories, tutorials, and many other things to help you learn about different programming subjects. With this said, the books look more like a child's story book. I previously read Head First HTML with CSS XHTML which was phenomenal and the best programming book I've read to date.

When I opened up Head First JavaScript I was instantly disappointed that it wasn't in color. Although it is twice the size as its predecessor Head First HTML, I wouldn't mind paying an extra ten for color pictures. I also quickly found out that this is the first true sequel to its XHTML counterpart.

So you may be wondering how is the book? Well I'll tell you that the book teaches JavaScript basics amazingly well. But! The book tries to cram too many advanced JavaScript languages down your throat. You see JavaScript has been around for a long time. As of recent its developed into more advanced languages such as DOM (Direct Object Modification) and AJAX (Asynchronous JavaScript and XML). The book tries to teach these concepts throughout the second half, but I couldn't help but feel that I had no idea what the book was talking about. I picked up some basic concepts, but the book kept on going too deep without explaining things. It even goes on to try and cram some XML and PHP into there. It was cool, but too much to comprehend without more application.

I think that the book is well done up until half way through, where it becomes raving mad. They should have concentrated more on Javascript and DOM instead of jumping the gun into AJAX. But the book is great overall, it's very difficult to follow when you get to the more advanced concepts it teaches later on.

If you really want to learn JavaScript well, you'll need this plus about 3 other books (I'm not joking, theres a lot to cover).

A must buy if you want to learn modern and up to date Javascript methods.

[Kurt Pankau · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love the Head First series, although this book is not for people who already live in an OO world. If you know Java and HTML, 60% of this book will be review of basic coding principles.

So, it was the wrong book for me. But it's very readable and engaging and useful as a teaching tool. It makes a poor reference (all the Head First books do), but it's not intended to be one, so we can't fault it too much for that.

It also does a good job of addressing JS's myriad weaknesses (duck-typing, lack of testability) without dwelling on them, mocking them, or apologizing for them.

So, overall, good book for someone with little coding experience who wants to get into dynamic pages without jumping straight into GWT.

[Arjen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like the Head First formula of teaching you things. I was actually doing some javascript development before I read this book. I also develop in Python so the concepts of a 'for loop' or a 'conditional statement' or an 'array' were not new to me.

What I do like about reading a book about programming languages though is that:
1. you get a deeper knowledge of the intricacies and specific features of a language
2. you get to know the basic, complete stuff and not just the winding path of wisdom needed to solve you particular problem at that particular time, kindly given to you by Google and Stackoverflow
3. you learn which specific problems the gazillion javascript libraries out there try to solve, how they do it and why you need them

[John Gaffney · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you are brand new to programming(only requires HTML and CSS knowledge) this book is good for you but if you have any programming experience this book is way too basic. I would suggest JS The Good Parts.

[Hamid Tabatabaei · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is very good for starters

[Julia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Superficial but just enough overview of web and JS, very brief but good intro to OOP in JS

[Coeruleum · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would probably rate this book five stars if I actually liked programming and also came in knowing nothing about it. As it is, I see programming as a chore that I only complete while humming "A Spoon Full of Sugar" and "The Sorcerer's Apprentice," and I already had moderate experience with Lua, C, and HTML from modifying pre-existing code, all of which probably also additionally actively bias me against Java's style since I also find they resemble formal logic much more closely while Java makes you remember it's a computer program. That being said, this book is quite funny and basically does the exercises for you, even though I never actually learned Java from it after my parents bought it for me as a teenager.

[Rider · Rating 5 out of 5]

this book was really great

[Sivasailam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best book to learn JavaScript. Covers from basics to advanced concepts in creating and modifying interactive web pages

[Bill · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bit outdated but a really great introduction into javascript. Found some of the exercise s perfect for someone just starting out

[Dani · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is a really great introduction to Javascript book. It flows pretty well, the sample projects are super helpful. But some of the information is dated.

[Robert · Rating 2 out of 5]

Kinda falls apart in the end and/or I didn't retain enough information.

Also the site for the examples has changed from the book. They're found at: http://examples.oreilly.com/978059652...

[Ben Rand · Rating 4 out of 5]

Couldn't quite get this finished in 2014...I really like the Head First series of books. Quirky, engaging presentation of the material, with lots of repetition to help it stick. If you know some JavaScript already (which I did), the first half of the book is kind of slow, lot of review of elementary topics. But the second half of the book gets into some advanced object stuff that I didn't realize you can do in JS. Overall, it's a very good intro to JS. If you're looking for a JS reference though, you should probably look elsewhere.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Having read/skimmed five books about JavaScript, I can say without hesitation that this one is the one to buy if you're new to programming in general and JavaScript in particular. The book is interactive and offers concrete examples to help understand abstract concepts. The images, humor, and surprises throughout the book keep it interesting and, yes, even entertaining. <-- good qualities of any instructional manual.

[Wout Mertens · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very nice intro to JavaScript. It really helped me and the way the information is presented does seem to make it easy to remember.

What I missed was any mention of jQuery and JSON. Perhaps this is due to the fact that this book is from 2008. Other than that this book provides you with a solid basis to hit the ground running.

[Srikumar Krishna Iyer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wanted 2 read it for a long time.
Though very fundamental, but a good one to start with, after this, one is eligible to go for advanced JS references.
As usual Head First is fun to read, with lots of images, puzzles, crosswords, activities etc.
And great examples as well.

Highly recommended for JS beginners & also for others who have never read a JS book before.

[Ted · Rating 5 out of 5]

While this is not a good book for a beginner, having it as an available reference has been a huge help! Between Java, JSP, and Javascript, sometimes the lines blur a bit, so having a very comprehensive reference is a necessity.

[Amanda · Rating 2 out of 5]

I couldn't get past chapter two. The first two chapters were excellent. Then you get to chapter three and they stop giving you walk-through examples or hands-on examples. To be honest, I was heartbroken. I was really hoping that I had finally found a book that would teach me Javascript.

[Pete Aven · Rating 4 out of 5]

great intro to javascript. This book is effective for anyone from a jr. hight studend to a seasoned pro.

[Marcotuts Morales · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this book as an intro to javascript. Incredibly useful, good read, though now I need a more detailed javascript book

[B]

Didn't finish.

[Jack Eisenberg · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good intro book with pics

[Eric Brooke · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good book for someone with html and css experience but has not really learnt coding at any point. It teaches some coding techniques in a simple fashion as well as teaching Javascript.

[Thinkinggood · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book for visual learners!

[Randy Lutcavich · Rating 3 out of 5]

A great foundation. Great writing style. I love these Head First books.

[Randy Lutcavich · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really like the format of these Head First books. This one wasn't as good as the Java one if I remember correctly, but it was a good foundation.

[Kevin O'shaughnessy · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a fairly good book for beginners but is too basic for professional web developers.

[Prashant Singh · Rating 5 out of 5]

-Regular expression like /^\d\d\d\d\d$/ which matches any number with 5 digit exactly , is explained very easily !

[Topilno]

Creating Web Pages for Dummies

[Filipe Russo · Rating 3 out of 5]

Auxilia.