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


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

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

JavaScript lets users enrich their Web pages with interactivity, animation, and other fun and useful features that can make a site worth every click. Unlike many other books, this complete guide teaches the JavaScript language as well as how to apply it. JavaScript savant David Thau guides coders through every hurdle, covering image swaps, functions, frames, cookies, alarms, and other seemingly mysterious JavaScript capacities with ease. Both reference and tutorial, each chapter addresses a particular function with a real-world example and an appropriate lesson. Readers try their hand and then see how the author coded it. Chapter by chapter, they acquire a range of skills including how to make a Web site remember a visitor's name and preferences. An accompanying CD-ROM includes the entire book, several bonus chapters, and all the coding in the examples.

About the Author

David Thau has been working for Wired Digital for the past four years, where he is currently Senior Scientist. He is the author of the very widely read and referenced JavaScript tutorials at Webmonkey- consistently referred to as the best JavaScript tutorials online. With a Masters in Cognitive Psychology and MSEE in Computer Science, Thau has been artfully teaching JavaScript to designers, production people, engineers, artists and children for the last two years. In his spare time, Thau solves complicated math problems and is the CEO for biancaTroll Productions.

0 comments:

Post a Comment

Related Articles