Instant HTML Programmer's Reference Html [Paperback]

Alex Homer (Author), Chris Ullman (Author)

Book Description

Series: Instant | Publication Date: October 1998

This is the second edition of the Wrox Press Instant HTML Programmer's Reference. We have taken the existing book, which covered all HTML and browser implementations up to and including HTML 3.2, and added coverage of IE4, Communicator 4 and HTML 4.0. It is a practical programming book, so we have concentrated on those features of HTML 4.0 which are currently supported by browsers. However, we do also touch on the features of HTML 4.0 which we believe will be supported by future browsers

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Even if you rely on online documentation for Web-page design, there's nothing like a handy, one-volume guide to the essentials of HTML and dynamic HTML (DHTML) standards. That's the idea behind Instant HTML, a much-needed reference that helps you get the most out of Web-page design and create cutting-edge cross-browser content.

Early chapters describe the basic terms and technologies, including HTML, JavaScript, VBScript, ECMAScript (a new, vender-neutral alternative), and DHTML. The authors then give a step-by-step tour of basic Web-page design, from the basic tags used in creating simple pages to style sheets, images, and links to other pages. Further chapters take on tables, frames, and forms and teach you how to use Java applets and ActiveX components within HTML. The authors show the differences between JavaScript and VBScript and, where appropriate, point out new features in emerging HTML 4 specifications. Each topic is illustrated with concise examples, and the authors note what does and doesn't work in Netscape Navigator 4 and Microsoft Internet Explorer 4.

The last part of the book will probably be useful to even the most seasoned HTML developer. Chapters explain how to design with DHTML in both Navigator 4 and Internet Explorer 4, displaying useful sample pages for each browser and offering tips on how to create cross-platform content for both browsers. Finally, since this is a reference book, valuable appendices are included for HTML tags, JavaScript and VBScript basics, and other information Internet developers will find useful.

From Library Journal

Wrox's specialty is providing technical information for and by programmers. This is a very succinct programmer's reference to HTML 4, offering a detailed guide through standard HTML, objects, applets, scripting, dynamic HTML, and style sheets. For larger collections that already have basic HTML references.
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 433 pages
• Publisher: Peer Information Inc.; 1st edition (October 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1861001568
• ISBN-13: 978-1861001566
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.1 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (34 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,619,865 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good HTML Starting point, February 14, 2000

By 

"harbourne" - See all my reviews

This review is from: Instant HTML Programmer's Reference Html (Paperback)

I bought this guide when I was getting to grips with learning HTML. It was at it's best then as a supplementary reference with clear explanations and detailed technical info. As a book to be used on its own -- for the beginner, it may be better to start with one of the online guides as its format tends to assume you know a little, -- but for use as a second reference, or someone with a little knowledge, it comes into its own with useful sections covering most of what you will need to know to do HTML programming, or just designing your own website.

Its biggest weaknesses are that, in my opinion, it skims the basics making it more difficult for the complete the novice (but good for the advanced programmer) and is a little weak on covering the differences between Netscape and IE, and doesn't really mention other browsers.

As a reference for the more experienced HTML programmer, it is useful, but there are better books out there (my favorite being "HTML Programmers Reference" by Powell & Whitworth).

I wouldn't swap this a reference aid now that I have it and know where to find everything in it, but as a more advanced programmer Powell & Whitworths book is a much better buy.

All in all, if you are a complete HTML novice, try a web tutorial before buying this book and you will get your money's worth. If you are a relative beginner, buy this book, it'll help you design better web pages to HTML 4.0 standards. If you are experienced or advanced in HTML go for a better reference book first like the one I mentioned above or something similar.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A real "Reference Guide" for HTML 4.0, October 15, 1999

By 

Emanuele - See all my reviews

This review is from: Instant HTML Programmer's Reference Html (Paperback)

I found this book very useful, not only for its extensive description of all tags and attributes, but also for the useful appendixes at the end of the book. There is a very good summary of CSS properties, Javascript language, a VBScript run-time error table, several pages filled with HTML color names and hexadecimal values, so that you don't have to use any special product to create pages with matching colors. I recommend this guide to all those that want to write HTML conforming to the W3C reccomendations.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Adequate for reference, but nothing special, May 19, 2000

By 

"drjam" - See all my reviews

This review is from: Instant HTML Programmer's Reference Html (Paperback)

Although the book tends to be visually appealing to an HTML reference purchaser, the book is definitely not a favorite. The examples in this book are not too good, and perhaps reference is all that may be obtained from it. It is definitely NOT worth purchasing for absolute beginners. Additionally, for those who have adequate HTML experience, there are several free HTML reference sites on the internet that may serve just as useful if not more than this WROX edition. If you're an individual who needs a hardcopy reference, I'd suggest looking for something better.