JavaScript for the World Wide Web: Visual QuickStart Guide (Visual Quickstart Guide Series) - Softcover

Negrino, Tom; Smith, Dori

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0201696487 ISBN 13: 9780201696486

Publisher: Peachpit Press, 1997

Synopsis

For the hundreds of thousands of Web enthusiasts who made their first foray into programming with the simple tagging language of HTML, JavaScript is the next step. JavaScript is a programming language designed to be used in conjunction with HTML, making HTML more powerful and interactive. All predictions are that JavaScript will become as important as HTML, and it is now fully supported in Netscape Navigator 3 and Microsoft Internet Explorer. With JavaScript, Web page creators without deep technical experience can embed commands into their HTML code that call up pre-cooked Java animations, add clocks and other time-based features to Web pages, allow Web pages to ask questions and gather information from visitors to the page, and provide other simple controls. While other JavaScript books are intended for experienced programmers, this one is for the vast majority of HTML coders who are less technically sophisticated but still would like a useful introduction and handy reference.

About this title

Review

JavaScript is great, but at best it is a complementary language for Web development. JavaScript for the World Wide Web offers a productive, how-to style that lets you solve a problem or pick up a trick and then move on with the rest of your work.

Consistent with other members of Peachpit's Visual QuickStart Guide series, this title makes wise use of side-by-side explanations and screen shots, as well as code snippets and their analysis. This approach gives readers the feeling that the authors are sitting by their side and showing them how to code scripts. Most subjects are handled with numbered steps, such as "Validating Zip Codes", and useful tips punctuate the text.

The book introduces the whole concept of JavaScript in a fast-moving but readable chapter and then moves into solving real-world challenges. The authors do a good job of covering JavaScript's capabilities, from eye-catching graphics tricks to data-entry form processing and cookie management. Particularly enjoyable is the way the book spells out many of the differences between Netscape and Microsoft dynamic HTML approaches.

The JavaScript object model is laid out in an appendix, along with object compatibility between various browser flavours. To complement the book, the publisher offers a Web site that makes all of the example code easily downloadable for your use. This is a great little guide for both busy coders and JavaScript novices. --Stephen W. Plain

From the Publisher

Liven up your Web Pages with this updated proven seller
JavaScript for the World Wide Web, 4th Edition: Visual QuickStart Guide is the book for people who are familiar with HTML and are ready to move up to the next level to make their sites more dynamic and exciting. With an easy, step-by-step approach and loads of useful illustrations, readers learn to use JavaScript to liven up their pages with dynamic images and smart forms. They'll learn to control browsers; detect which browser or plug-ins the user has and respond appropriately; use JavaScript to create and manipulate windows, and smoothly integrate HTML, JavaScript, and Java in a site. This edition, updated to reflect the latest changes in browsers and standards, covers new topics such as events, Cascading Style Sheets, Bookmarklets, and working with visual tools such as GoLive, Dreamweaver, and Fireworks.

Tom Negrino writes books and is a contributing editor for Macworld magazine. He's been working with the Macintosh since the innocent, halcyon days of 1984. Shortly thereafter, he began his writing career with MacGuide magazine , joining the Macworld ranks in 1987. His work has also appeared in Digital Video magazine, where he was a contributing editor and monthly columnist. Tom is a frequent speaker at Macworld Expo, Thunder Lizard's conferences, and other computer trade shows, and is a freelance computer consultant. He has served on the board of the Los Angeles Macintosh Group since 1985, recently ending his tenure as the group's president.

Dori Smith has been programming for over 20 years. As a partner in Chalcedony Consulting, she does programming, training, writing, and Web design. You can find out more about her at her personal site. Dori is also a contributing editor for NetProfessional magazine, is on their advisory board, and is a member of the Web Standards Project Steering Committee.

About this edition

• Publisher: Peachpit Press
• Publication date: 1997
• ISBN 10: 0201696487
• ISBN 13: 9780201696486
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 2
• Number of pages: 208