Javascript: The Definitive Guide By David Flanagan
Jun 30th, 2009 by Bargin Hunter
Javascript: The Definitive Guide By David Flanagan
Why Buy A Javascript: The Definitive Guide By David Flanagan?
Since the earliest days of Internet scripting, Web developers have considered JavaScript: The Definitive Guide an essential resource. David Flanagans approach, which combines tutorials and examples with easy-to-use syntax guides and object references, suits the typical programmers requirements nicely. The brand-new fourth edition of Flanagans Rhino Book includes coverage of JavaScript 1.5, JScript 5.5, ECMAScript 3, and the Document Object Model (DOM) Level 2 standard from the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C). Interestingly, the author has shifted away from specifying–as he did in earlier editions–what browsers support each bit of the language. Rather than say Netscape 3.0 supports the Image object while Internet Explorer 3.0 does not, he specifies that JavaScript 1.1 and JScript 3.0 support Image. More usefully, he specifies the contents of independent standards like ECMAScript, which encourages scripters to write applications for these standards and browser vendors to support them. As Flanagan says, JavaScript and its related subjects are very complex in their pure forms. Its impossible to keep track of the differences among half a dozen vendors generally similar implementations. Nonetheless, a lot of examples make reference to specific browsers capabilities.
Though he does not cover server-side APIs, Flanagan has chosen to separate coverage of core JavaScript (all the keywords, general syntax, and utility objects like Array) from coverage of client-side JavaScript (which includes objects, like History and Event, that have to do with Web browsers and users interactions with them. This approach makes this book useful to people using JavaScript for applications other than Web pages. By the way, the other classic JavaScript text–Danny Goodmans JavaScript Bible–isnt as current as this book, but its still a fantastic (and perhaps somewhat more novice-friendly) guide to the JavaScript language and its capabilities. –David Wall
Topics covered: The JavaScript language (version 1.0 through version 1.5) and its relatives, JScript and ECMAScript, as well as the W3C DOM standards theyre often used to manipulate. Tutorial sections show how to program in JavaScript, while reference sections summarize syntax and options while providing copious code examples.
Customer Reviews & Opinions
And it’s only $32? Wow.
I bought this book because I wanted to learn JavaScript, and it is doing just that!!! There is so much stuff packed into this book that it is amazing, and I can’t believe I only payed $32 for it! It covers everything you need to know. It goes into more detail about JavaScript than any book on any other language I have seen. And all the pages are not little flashy examples. It is a real reference for those who are serious about learning JS.
JavaScript: The Deep Doctrine
Note: My review is based on the 5th edition.If you want to know how JavaScript really works, this is *the* book for exactly that. Understanding the core concepts of the language, such as the prototypical OO model, closures, functions as data, etc. will help you go far if JavaScript is something you use on daily basis.
While there are numerous JavaScript libraries in existence today (jQuery, MochiKit, Dojo, prototype, YUI, etc.) that simplify a lot of what needs to get done client-side, understanding the language itself is still necessary for those times when the abstractions that the libraries provide leak/fail or don’t provide some feature you want.
If you are frustrated by JavaScript, you only need to spend the time educating yourself about how it really works. Once you do, and with some experience, you will reach that state of Nirvana that allows you to work easily in this language.
Gave Me What I Needed – And More!
JavaScript: The Definitive GuideI needed a reference guide to JavaScript. I am by no means an expert, I just wanted point solutions that were rather more “in depth” than the “geek boards”.
My success criteria here are: 1. Did it make sense of JavaScript? and 2. More importantly, if I wanted a point solution – was it there?
Yes on both counts.
I am still new to JavaScript – so I will update this review later.
An indespensibe reference
A fantastically complete reference to Javascript. This is not a “learn Javascript” book, however – but a reference. The examples are not as detailed as in other “learning” books – but as a reference guide it cannot be beat. It is extremely rare that I can’t find what I’m looking for in that book. I am using the 5th edition of the book, which is much better than the older editions – and I feel is the new standard for what should be called a “Definitive Guide”. Pitfalls, quirks, browser differences and a complete (as of 2006 at least) property/function reference for both core and DOM javascript objects. Highly recommended.
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