JavaScript Application Cookbook [Paperback]

Jerry Bradenbaugh (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 18, 1999 | ISBN-10: 1565925777 | ISBN-13: 978-1565925779 | Edition: 1

There is a serious information gap for Webmasters learning client-side JavaScript skills and trying to solve common Web-related problems. Knowing the syntax is one thing, being able to build a useful application is another. And while there are dozens of "how- to" JavaScript books available, few literally hand the Webmaster a set of ready-to-go, client-side JavaScript applications with thorough documentation that enable the reader to fully understand and extend those applications. By providing such a set of applications, JavaScript Application Cookbook allows Webmasters to immediately add extra functionality to their Web sites.

This book targets readers with two different skill sets. The primary target is JavaScript-knowledgeable Webmasters and designers who can immediately begin constructing their own versions of the applications. The secondary target is those with little or no JavaScript experience. The included applications are ready for immediate use and require little customization.

This book explores both the code and the techniques that are centered around core JavaScript functionality, a functionality that will not become incompatible or obsolete. The source file design of most applications and libraries will help modularize reader Web sites and facilitate easier site management and coding practices.

Chapters are organized by application. Among the included applications are:

• A client-side search engine that will show coders how to build their own search engine and get excellent results, all with a client-side tool
• A drag-and-drop greeting application that lets users custom build and send DHTML email greetings
• A GUI image rollover tool that generates cross-browser image rollover code for all versions of JavaScript
• A robust client-side shopping cart application that lets shoppers browse and shop, while the application keeps a tab of the shopper's selections and a running bill, including tax and shipping
• An online test application that auto-administers, grades, and displays answers to online exams or surveys

An additional value to this book is an online resource (http://www.serve.com/hotsyte/) that discusses the applications and points to other resources. With its focus on providing practical real-world solutions for Webmasters, JavaScript Application Cookbook is destined to become a staple for every JavaScript developer, regardless of experience.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Seasoned Java coders will find the JavaScript Application Cookbook compiled just for them. Written in the same vein as the old-style programmer "toolbox" titles, this book sheds the usual tutorial presentation and simply introduces a series of JavaScript applications you can use on your own sites.

The cookbook begins with recipes such as a client-side search engine application that facilitates complex database searching to maximize local processing. (An interactive multiple-choice testing application follows, along with code for an interface to multiple search engines on the Net). Other applications include a JavaScript shopping cart, context-sensitive help, cipher implementation, drag-and-drop-capable e-mail, and a cookie-based user-management system.

Author Jerry Bradenbaugh clearly has a passion for JavaScript, and he illustrates the capabilities of this modest scripting language. The code for the book's applications is available from the publisher's Web site, and each chapter begins with a step-by-step walk-through of the finished application. You'll learn how code works and get ideas for possible extensions you might want to create. If you're programming in JavaScript already and want to grow your arsenal of tools and techniques, the JavaScript Application Cookbook is an immediate code fix. --Stephen W. Plain

About the Author

Jerry Bradenbaugh is a senior Web application developer and technical lead in Los Angeles, California. His Web site, HotSyte-The JavaScript Resource, has been around since the early days of JavaScript, making it one of the oldest JavaScript resources on the Net. He has contributed in developing enterprise applications for Netscape and First Union National Bank.

Product Details

• Paperback: 480 pages
• Publisher: O'Reilly Media; 1 edition (October 18, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1565925777
• ISBN-13: 978-1565925779
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 7 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.7 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (20 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,295,256 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

30 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good .. at being what it is, January 20, 2000

By 

"jib_norway" - See all my reviews

This review is from: JavaScript Application Cookbook (Paperback)

I must say I don't understand some of you saying this book isn't what you hoped for - you certainly didn't know what you were buying. As for being an "application cookbook" this book does what it's supposed to do and does it well.

The application examples include an online test system, a slideshow/image viewer and something I found very useful, a cookie based shopping cart. Even if there isn't really a wide variety of different examples, those provided are advanced enough to show the capabilities of JavaScript at a high level, and gave me ideas on other things I could program myself, using the examples as guidelines while moving along..

My impression of the code in the book is that it is clean and hi-qual, it works w/o glitches in 4.x gen browser, which really are what you should be developing for these days.

Only gripe is the price.. a little too much maybe.. but I guess I could live with that after saving alot of work cop.. *cough* .. learning from the code in the book :)

21 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Pretty Damn Good, December 16, 1999

By 

Geneva Roth (Orlando, FL) - See all my reviews

This review is from: JavaScript Application Cookbook (Paperback)

When I received my copy of the JavaScript Cookbook, I got exactly what I was looking for - a JAVASCRIPT resource. This is a solid piece of work that not only includes practical web ready applications & code, but also provides clear and concise explanations each step of the way. I found most of these explanations to hold considerable value beyond just the scope of the particular recipe; I had no problem using them to broaden my understanding in the bigger picture of JavaScript.

I found Bradenbaugh's book quite helpful and would highly recommend it to anyone interested in expanding their bag of JS tricks with immediate applicability. (I am currently using the client-side search engine application, and have dog-eared a handful of practical JS functions in Chapter 6). However, to all those reviewers below looking to learn Perl, you might want to first read this book's title before you pick it up.

17 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Toughtful and complete, February 8, 2000

By 

Brian Donnelly (Tigard, OR USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: JavaScript Application Cookbook (Paperback)

I definately stress that you have some experience with Java script before diving into this book but it is by far one of the best intros I've read. This book guides you through semi-complicated to very complex application designs that would be useful for any web site. The coments on the code are clear and pretty much line by line explainations. This book will be exceptionally useful to the user wanting to refine his/her Java script skills in regards to the web. Its books like this that make O'Reilly what they are.