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A Book Apart #20
JavaScript For Web Designers
If staring down JavaScript leaves you unsteady, take heart. Mat Marquis is at your side, offering a detailed yet approachable tour around this essential language. Make your way through plenty of practical examples, as you pick up syntax rules, the fundamentals of scripting, and how to handle data types and loops. You’ll emerge clear-eyed and confident—and ready to get to work.
135 pages, Paperback
Published September 28, 2016
12 people are currently reading
220 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
December 2, 2016
A great start for beginners. Though I already understand the concept of data types, conditionals, and loops, I was comforted to know that this was coming from a designer's perspective, rather than a programmer's who compared JavaScript to C or Java. In particular, Chapter 5 was the most useful to me in that it offered a common example of using JavaScript within a web document to toggle visibility of text via "Read More". Of course, now I've read HTML 5.1 offers this feature now.. but I still appreciated some hand-on opportunity to implement JS in a meaningful way. Additionally, I really appreciated the nod to progressive enhancement. I feel like that is lacking in many web dev/design books.
In short, I recommend this book to web designers who really want a better handle on JavaScript and need an intro to programming basics that won't change. I just wish I had started with this book first rather than reading several other books and online tutorials beforehand.
In short, I recommend this book to web designers who really want a better handle on JavaScript and need an intro to programming basics that won't change. I just wish I had started with this book first rather than reading several other books and online tutorials beforehand.
April 10, 2020
While it had some nice moments, this book was kind of a disappointment.
Given its title, I was hoping it would be more of an overview of how Javascript functions in modern websites and the tools a developer can use to leverage it most effectively. While it does this to some extent, the vast majority of the book focuses on the implementation of the most basic programming concepts (functions, for loops, etc) in the Javascript language. While helpful for people brand new to programming, it isn't exactly ideal for the "web designers" this book claims to target.
All in all, this is an ok book. What it lacks in content it makes up for in personable prose and ease of reading.
Given its title, I was hoping it would be more of an overview of how Javascript functions in modern websites and the tools a developer can use to leverage it most effectively. While it does this to some extent, the vast majority of the book focuses on the implementation of the most basic programming concepts (functions, for loops, etc) in the Javascript language. While helpful for people brand new to programming, it isn't exactly ideal for the "web designers" this book claims to target.
All in all, this is an ok book. What it lacks in content it makes up for in personable prose and ease of reading.
September 14, 2017
I don't know if it's quite fair for me to review this book but I will anyways. I'm a front end developer by day but most of my time is spent within the HTML & CSS. I've dabbled with jQuery here and there so I haven't really been heavy into JavaScript.
Some parts of this book I was already familiar with. Basic parts like functions and declaring variables I knew. But Mat did go over other things I've never heard of like prototype or hasOwnProperty. Mostly because I've never had to use them.
The example he uses is fairly common so it was nice to see it coded in JS vs jQuery. It's always great to know the basics because it's easier to troubleshoot down the line. I did enjoy seeing the examples with console output. I use console.log quite often when I do write JS.
If you are intimidated by JS, definitely pick up a copy of this book. He also includes a simple list of resources to check out after you read.
Some parts of this book I was already familiar with. Basic parts like functions and declaring variables I knew. But Mat did go over other things I've never heard of like prototype or hasOwnProperty. Mostly because I've never had to use them.
The example he uses is fairly common so it was nice to see it coded in JS vs jQuery. It's always great to know the basics because it's easier to troubleshoot down the line. I did enjoy seeing the examples with console output. I use console.log quite often when I do write JS.
If you are intimidated by JS, definitely pick up a copy of this book. He also includes a simple list of resources to check out after you read.
July 20, 2018
I'm not a web designer (...yet?), but this book was super helpful to me as I learn about JavaScript. I read it while completing an online JavaScript curriculum and attending an in-person JavaScript for Beginners class, and it helped immensely as the concepts were introduced. I know I'll be returning to this book again and again!
September 6, 2022
Great book, but outdated. My favorite parts were the introduction where it describes how the JavaScript sausage is made. People throw around 'TC39' and `EcmaScript` all of the time, but now I understand!
July 4, 2017
Perfect for beginners who have no experience with other programming languages. Others might find it basic, but it isn't written for everyone :)
August 15, 2020
Definitely more worth while to just stay up to date with the latest tech blogs
October 9, 2017
This is the first book on JavaScript that I've actually finished, in under a week no less. I found all the concept very well explained, it was easy to follow along, and I learned a lot of new, sometimes quite basic, things that I wasn't aware of. I'll very likely be using this a reference in the future when I'm wondering about things js. Highly recommended if you're interested in learning JavaScript.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews