The Book of JavaScript: A Practical Guide to Interactive Web...

Features

• Cover Type: Paperback with 404 pages
• Published by: No Starch Press
• Edition: 1st Edition January 15, 2000
• Written in: English
• ISBN 10 Number: 1886411360
• ISBN 13 Number: 978-1886411364
• Book Dimensions: 9.1 x 5.1 x 1.2 inches
• Weighs: 1.8 pounds

Product Review
Most Web developers pick up a book to learn how to use a language like JavaScript, looking for practical examples of how to get things done. The Book of JavaScript: A Practical Guide to Interactive Web Pages is plenty practical, and hits the mark as a reader-friendly and well-organized tutorial on JavaScript.

The book assumes no prior knowledge in JavaScript or other procedural languages, although familiarity with HTML is best. The well-thought-out text focuses on various programming goals--like rollovers and form validation--instead of the anatomy of the JavaScript language itself. The fast-moving chapters skillfully weave text with example code. Sections of the code and related sections of the accompanying text are numbered--a convention that is very helpful in teaching new techniques, and for quick reference later on.

Throughout the book, real-world examples of JavaScript in action, such as a clock script from NASA's site, illustrate its applications. A page from Salon.com, for instance, shows frame techniques, too. Ambitious readers can complete assignments to test their knowledge. The companion CD-ROM contains all of the code, as well as correct answers for the assignments.

Of all of the JavaScript tutorials out there, The Book of JavaScript is one of the more engaging and truly effective. --Stephen W. Plain

Topics covered:

• Browser detection
• Rollovers
• Window manipulation
• Custom functions
• Form processing
• Arrays
• Loops
• Timing events
• Frames
• Image maps
• Form validation
• Cookies
• Dynamic HTML (DHTML)
• Plug-ins
• ActiveX controls

Product Description
This isn't just a book of scripts for you to cut and paste into your HTML, only to find out that nothing works. The Book of JavaScript will teach you how to use JavaScript to quickly add interactivity, animation and other tricks to your Web pages--on your own and without cut-and-paste solutions. Using real-world examples as a starting point, wild-man thau! shows you, step-by- step, how various scripts work and how to use them to produce the effects you want. Learn how to:

• Work with frames, forms, cookies, and alarms
• Use events to have your pages to react to a user's actions
• Perform image swaps and roll-overs
• Program your own JavaScript functions to produce customized solutions
• Use windows to make a remote control or a picture frame
• Store user preferences with cookies and build a shopping cart
• Use Dynamic HTML to turn web pages into multimedia applications

BONUS: Includes a complete reference to all JavaScript objects and functions, including examples, properties, methods, handlers, and browser compatibility!

The CD-ROM includes code and images for every example in the book (including the real-world ones), answers to the assignments, script libraries for hard-to-program applications, and many useful software programs.

Reader Reviews
This book goes well beyond the typical "how-to" JavaScript book. After spending the first few pages explaining the history and basics of the language, David Thau mixes up the tutorials with real life JavaScript examples from sites like Sun, HotMail, and Pets.com. He carefully walks through all the code and explains everything. Thau is a great writer. I remember him from his days at WebMonkey.com and his JavaScript tutorials from that site taught me and I'm sure many others how to script. As he did with the online tutorials, this book does a thorough job covering all the basics like variables, strings, arrays, functions, etc. On the downside, there is nothing here for the advanced JavaScripter (check out O'Reilly's JavaScript Cookbook for that), but if you are a beginner or even an intermediate JavaScripter, this book is an excellent choice, and does a much better job teaching JavaScript than other entry level books, like "Teach Yourself JavaScript 1.3 in 24 Hours" or "JavaScript for Dummies."