CSS, DHTML, and Ajax, Fourth Edition (Visual QuickStart Guide)

Features

• Cover Type: Paperback with 584 pages
• Published by: Peachpit Press
• Edition: 4th Edition October 27, 2006
• Written in: English
• ISBN 10 Number: 032144325X
• ISBN 13 Number: 978-0321443250
• Book Dimensions: 8.9 x 6.9 x 1.3 inches
• Weighs: 1.9 pounds

Book Description


The Web doesn't stand still, and neither does this guide: Completely updated to cover the new browsers, standards, and CSS, DHTML, and Ajax features that define the Web today, the one thing that hasn't changed in this edition is its task-based visual approach to the topic. In these pages, readers will find friendly, step-by-step instructions for using CSS, DHTML, and Ajax to add visually sophisticated, interactive elements to their Web sites. Using loads of tips and screen shots, veteran author Jason Cranford Teague covers a lot of ground--from basic and advanced dynamic techniques (for example, making objects appear and disappear) to creating effects for newer browsers, migrating from tables to CSS, and creating new DHTML scripts with embedded scroll areas, fixed menu bars, and more. Users new to CSS, DHTML, and Ajax will find this a quick, easy introduction to scripting, while more experienced programmers will be pleased to find practical, working examples throughout the book.

About The Author
Jason Cranford Teague is a senior information architect for Lante and has designed Web sites for numerous corporations, including Virgin, WebMD, Coca-Cola, CNN, Bell South, and DuPont. He is the author of the previous editions of this guide.

Reader Reviews
I guess I'm spoiled after reading the Visual QuickStart guides by Larry Ullman on PHP and MySQL. In those you actually learn how to use the software by building or programming projects representing real world applications of the concepts being learned. That's the way you learn any skill -- by doing. Along the way, you also learn many valuable insights into why you're doing what you're doing. (It's also a lot of blood, sweat, tears, and frustration -- all an important part of learning!) CSS, DHTML, & Ajax doesn't live up to that expectation. It's just another reference book, like countless other reference books on these subjects, and in this case, the number of such reference books is huge. If you like the style with lots of screenshots and don't already have a reference book on the subject, it might be worth buying. As one reviewer said, however, screenshots of code that reproduce what's already in the text just take up space that could be used for additional information. (They're very useful when you're actually building projects as a part of your learning.) Also, it's not as well organized and indexed as other reference books, such as those by Wrox. I can't imagine why Peachpit bothered to publish this one. Just keep in mind that you won't learn to do CSS, DHTML, & Ajax in this book. You only learn skills by doing. Instead, you will read about them. That's a very different thing. Comment (1) | | (Report this)