Instant JavaScript [Paperback]

Nigel McFarlane (Author), McFarlane (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: 1997 | Series: Instant

JavaScript is one of the most powerful tools in the Web developer's kit. Used well, it can add hugely to the functionality and interactivity of Web pages, and is almost universally supported by browsers. Unlike Dynamic HTML, JavaScript is a language in its own right but, until recently, there was no fully agreed standard. Instant Javascript is the first book to deal with this emergent standard: ECMAScript, it also goes into detail on the various compatibility problems with existing browser implementations of JavaScript, as well as looking at stand alone JavaScript

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

JavaScript is a powerful way to extend HTML content and work with Java applets, but developing with this language can be tricky. With this one-volume reference, you can begin using scripts within Web pages and also learn some of JavaScript's high-end features.

Early sections treat JavaScript as just another programming language, detailing data types, operators, and basic keywords. Then the book turns to the nuts and bolts of script development inside Web pages, featuring advanced topics you might not find elsewhere, such as the possibility of running JavaScript scripts on the server.

Further chapters explain how to get to browser objects from JavaScript, describing windows, forms, and event handling. There is also a good introduction to manipulating Java applets and Netscape plug-ins (such as Shockwave) with JavaScript. But some of the best chapters teach you how to use browser cookies within Java and offer debugging tips from the author. (JavaScript is legendarily difficult to debug, and the author has a number of potentially helpful suggestions here.)

Final sections show JavaScript at work with dynamic HTML. The reference material at the end of Instant JavaScript gives a handy listing of JavaScript fundamentals and HTML tags, making this book useful as both a tutorial and a place where JavaScript developers can get answers.

From the Publisher

All Web programmers need Javascript Instant Javascript is the book to teach them. Intended for HTML authors looking to add functionality to inter- or intra-nets, or for programmers who want a reference and guide to one of the most flexible scripting languages around, the book presumes some knowledge of HTML, and a familiarity with basic programming concepts

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Product Details

• Paperback: 400 pages
• Publisher: Wrox Press (1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1861001274
• ISBN-13: 978-1861001276
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 2.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (30 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,123,948 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Worked for me..., May 12, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Instant JavaScript (Paperback)

This is one of those books which probably deserves the * to **** ratings various people give it - it just depends on where they're coming from, in terms of programming background, and what they're trying to accomplish.

For me, this relatively cheap WROX book fit the bill: I had some specific JavaScript problems on a project I was handed at work and I found the solutions here very quickly... faster than I could have with one of those massive tomes of excrutiating detail! But my background is pretty strong in OO and procedural programing, even if I am a JavaScript newbie: I came in with a pretty good idea of what details I was looking for.

Bottom line: I wouldn't recommend this book as a newbie tutorial or something to get started on programming with. But if you have the background and just need to find specific stuff or maybe come up to speed quickly in "another" language, this has an appropriate level of detail and is structured logically enough for you to zero in without excessive hunting.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars NOT FOR BEGINNERS, January 5, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Instant JavaScript (Paperback)

This book does not display a easy to follow explanation of the language. It breaks it up, without any thorough explanation of each section.

I would not recommend this book for beginners.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars My favorite JS book, misleading title, September 13, 2000

By 

Michael Krakovskiy "Deadprogrammer" (Brooklyn, NY USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Instant JavaScript (Paperback)

Unless your are a complete beginner, do not let the bad reviews stop you from buying this book. Instant JavaScript can give you great insight into the language.

Here is what it is not:

a) A step by step cookbook for people who buy "Dummies" or "In 21-15-5 days" brand books.

b) A complete reference (if you need that you can get O'reilly book or find a searchable online reference.

Remember, Wrox(this book's publisher) motto is "Programmer to Programmer". And this book is truly in this spirit.

My favorite chapter is #7, called "Disappearing Data". Reading it is like listening to an experienced JavaScripter explaining all the pitfalls of the language. Chapter 6 - "Privacy, Security and Cookies" was very useful to me too. Just these two chapters make this book worth buying.