Learning JavaScript

by Shelley Powers

As web browsers have become more capable and standards compliant, JavaScript has grown in prominence. JavaScript lets designers add sparkle and life to web pages, while more complex JavaScript has led to the rise of Ajax -- the latest rage in web development that allows developers to create powerful and more responsive applications in the browser window. Learning JavaScript introduces this powerful scripting language to web designers and developers in easy-to-understand terms. Using the latest examples from modern browser development practices, this book teaches you how to integrate the language with the browser environment, and how to practice proper coding techniques for standards-compliant web sites. By the end of the book, you'll be able to use all of the JavaScript language and many of the object models provided by web browsers, and you'll even be able to create a basic Ajax application.

Genres: Programming, Reference, Coding, Technical, Nonfiction, Technology, Web

304 pages, Paperback

First published October 17, 2006

Reviews

[Julian · Rating 3 out of 5]

Okay, this book is terribly, terrible thorough. But it goes over-the top on the thorough. There's only so much you can say on script-based form validation, but the author manages to say all of it about eight times. Likewise for the event model, where for some reason they opt to describe the old model at length, and then inform us that it's now irrelevant, and describe the new model.

What I am looking for in a JavaScript book is:

(1) A quick run-down on the structure of the language, with particular reference to the curious features of JavaScript, i.e. that it is a template-based language rather than a class-based language, so one can add extra attributes to objects pretty much at will

(2) A description of how the language interfaces to the browser, so the DOM model, events, etc

(3) A description of client-server interactions within JavaScript, so basic AJAX

(4) A run-down of all the gotchas, ranging from peculiarities of individual browsers (e.g. the way that Internet Explorer has its very own event model) to the infuriating peculiarities of the language (such as the way that the overloading of + as addition and string concatenation, coupled with the complete absence of any type model, means that any attempt at arithmetic is fraught with excitement)

(5) All About Debugging

From this book I got (1) and bits of (2) and a tiny bit of (4). I might have got more, but I found the book so deathly dull that I gave up and switched to JavaScript: The Definitive Guide instead.

[Jradical1093]

This book is not exactly for those of the people who want to start understanding javascript. This book is for the javascript writers who know a little coding here and there. In other words, this book is not a book i'd reccomend to beginners, rather, to amateurs. It is a buy for those amateurs who love to know and understand more javascript.

[Rebecca · Rating 1 out of 5]

Do not use this book if you are new to javascript and want to learn how to use it. The example programs in the book are incomplete and unexplained. Be wary of any class that uses this as a textbook.

[Rebecca · Rating 3 out of 5]

I skimmed the parts that I knew. Just looking for a gap filler and this fit the bill.

[Liwf Net]

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[Dave Emmett · Rating 3 out of 5]

This wasn’t an assigned textbook, but I wanted to supplement the Javascript info we are getting in class with a book, and this was the most recent Javascript book at the library.

Overall, I wouldn’t say I was too impressed by this book. While it bills itself as for both experienced programmers and newbies (which I am), it felt like it was written more for the experienced programmer who was just new to Javascript. Most of the code examples were not very well described, and they all stayed pretty well into the theory realm as opposed to being practical things that anyone would actually use in their projects.

Of course, all this being said, I think it was written this way for a reason; it isn’t a book of practical code examples to use in your next project. And I find that I’m understanding the Javascript we are doing in class fairly well, which I attribute to soaking up at least some info from this book.

So, I guess I don’t think it would be a great book to pick up if you were trying to learn Javascript on your own, with no prior coding experience, but if you are in a structured learning environment, this works to help make sense of it all.

[Artor the Destroyer]

Concise. This book, like most O' Reilly (no, not that one) books, starts with the basics and teaches the "why" and "what" as opposed to just the "how". Other books, some of which I own, will give example cases and walk the reader through them without explaining the nuances of the code or why certain choices were made. All that those books teach is how to solve the example cases.

I have not yet finished this book, but am under the strong impression that I will come away from it with a solid grounding in JavaScript. One of my favorite things about this book is that there are short quizzes at the ed of the chapter that help the reader internalize and instantly make use of the material. Often, without these, I find that while I understand the material as it is being presented, by the time i reach a real-world case, the knowledge is not there.

[Lacey Brown · Rating 2 out of 5]

I purchased Learning Javascript a long time ago because it received so many rave reviews. I come from a background in Graphic and Web Design, and at the time I wanted to learn JavaScript to further explore creative options. In doing so, I wanted to start with Classic JavaScript. This book does a good job with providing information, but the flow of the book is very tiring and will often lead to frustration. I couldn't stay focused and I was so eager to jump on my computer and try different examples, but it doesn't do a good job of preparing you to learn the script. Two years later I still don't like the flow of this book and now use it as a reference guide.

Definitely not a good book for beginners.

[Ivan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book. Now 4 years old, but still has lots of relevant information. Overall it's awesomely balanced max simplicity, conciseness and information - I was lucky with picking my first book on JavaScript.

It was pleasant to read, with enough of stories and examples to try out, still author did not gave a chance to my attention to escape - I had to eat apple stumps to go on with it :) Now I could say I love the results. By learning how to dose different aspects of a technology in a way done here, will make anyone get Evangelism badge to their collection ;)

Probably I'll still have to read up CSS3/HTML5 specs to cover the details(we're professionals, you know), but the book gave me good enough impulse to start the journey.

[Jeff Mills · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wish this book would have said somewhere that the title "Learning Javascript" doesn't meen it's for beginners. I forced myself to read the whole thing despite most of it going right over my head. This book assumes you have previous knowledge in programming languages and that you just want to learn a new one but it doesn't say anywhere that you should have that knowledge. I did learn some things but I have purchased another Javascript book that is for beginners and it is much more helpful at my stage.

[Ismail Elshareef · Rating 4 out of 5]

I always recommend this book to any HTML/CSS coder who is interested in learning Javascript. Intermediate or advanced users should get Professional JavaScript for Web Developers (Wrox Programmer to Programmer) instead.

The book really lays down the basics in a language so easy to grasp by anyone that can operate a computer. It also explains browser incompatibility very well. It's also rife with examples and best practices that help the reader to establish a solid foundation in their approach to using Javascript.

Everyone on my team had to read this book. I highly recommend it.

[Amade · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read the book to get a good understanding of JavaScript. Before reading it, my only experience with JavaScript was modifying some web-tracking code and integrating jQuery solutions into my web projects (meaning: almost none). After finishing, I feel like I have really good grasp of what JS is about and can quickly spot what's going on in someone else's code. Also, I can already see my progress with JS - I was able to finish the introductory classes on JS in a nick of time (would definitely not be able to do it before reading this book).

[Zlatan · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you already know a thing or two about programming, this is probably the right book for you to learn basic javascript. I had some experience with Java prior to reading it, so it was very easy to grasp everything this book had to throw at me. As a conclusion, I would just like to add that this type of books should be a must read, prior to learning any of the javascript frameworks (MooTools, jQuery etc.), IMHO.

[Darcy · Rating 2 out of 5]

For me, this book was too slow and I found some of explanations to be slightly inaccurate. The quality of O'Reilly's books is usually much better so I was disappointed with this one.

There are better books/resources for learning javascript.

[John Thantranon · Rating 4 out of 5]

a good start. but i supposed I could have learned most of this online. still it was good to have something to flip through in my hands, even for reference. everything is well explained in this book though.

[Meagan · Rating 3 out of 5]

As the reviews say, this is TERRIBLE for beginners. Need to reiterate that. I had it as a textbook and it SUCKED. But on re-reading it for review, it was actually well organized and thorough. Surprise!

[OH PICK ME TO RECEIVE FREE EBOOKS TO REVIEW, OREILLY.}

[Riley · Rating 3 out of 5]

oh boy! a book on javascript!


..but seriously, it is pretty good.

[Wm · Rating 3 out of 5]

Work work work

[Chadwick]

This is my favorite book of all time. It's like a sleeper hit movie...quiet, powerful and stays with you. Rich and I have become good friends, and I give this book as a gift all the time.

[Chrissy]

I started out with the one with the grown-up rhino on the cover, but that author was to mathy and I've never done any programming, so my husband got me this one instead. Much better so far.

[Adrian Veidt · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some useful reference sections, but not a book I'd consider to follow along from start to finish.

[Vinicius Cândido · Rating 4 out of 5]

Is very good to getting started

[Pei-Yao · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was published in year 2008, so some of the content might be out of date already. However, some basic concepts are still useful to know for people who don't know about Javascript.

[Brandee Terry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great reference for learning a programming language.

[Paul Guinnessy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not bad but could be better

[LUXURY♪(D-179)]

this book has new edition: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...