JavaScript Bible, Fifth Edition [Paperback]

Danny Goodman (Author), Michael Morrison (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0764557432 | ISBN-13: 978-0764557439 | Publication Date: March 19, 2004 | Edition: 5

• This new edition of the definitive guide to JavaScript has been revamped to cover the latest browsers, language updates, extensions, and JavaScript standards
• Part tutorial and part reference, the book serves as a learning tool for building new JavaScript skills and a detailed reference for seasoned JavaScript developers
• Danny Goodman's exclusive interactive workbench, The Evaluator, makes it easy to master JavaScript and DOM concepts
• Offers deployment strategies that best suit the user's content goals and target audience
• Bonus CD-ROM is packed with advanced content for the reader who wants to go an extra step

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

If JavaScript can do it, you can do it too...

Create Web pages brimming with dynamic content. Engage your site visitors with programmed style sheets that respond instantly to user interaction. Take charge of your user interface by controlling CSS, plug-ins, Java™ applets, and even XML data. Premier JavaScript authority Danny Goodman teams up with developer/inventor Michael Morrison to help you bring your pages to life, whether you’re a beginner or a JavaScript pro. You’ll find what you need in this extensively revised edition – an updated, standards-intensive tutorial for newcomers, and plenty of advanced detail for veterans.

Inside, you’ll find complete coverage of JavaScript

• Get up to speed fast on JavaScript basics with an updated tutorial tailored for newcomers
• Master JavaScript and DOM concepts with Danny Goodman’s exclusive interactive workbench, The Evaluator
• Apply scripting to Web standards – XHTML, DOM, CSS, and XML – to produce future-compatible pages
• Implement cross-browser dynamic HTML applications for MSIE 6, Mozilla™, Safari™, and other browsers
• Energize your content with custom objects, XML data, and other client-side techniques
• Learn in depth from hundreds of fully scripted example HTML pages

Bonus CD-ROM includes

• Full, searchable PDF version of the book
• 22 bonus chapters covering advanced DOM, XML, and JavaScript objects; dynamic HTML, data validation, plug-ins, and security; techniques for developing and debugging
• professional Web-based applications, and more
• Nine complete JavaScript real-world applications
• Over 300 ready-to-run HTML documents demonstrating most of the Document Object Model and JavaScript terms in the book

About the Author

Danny Goodman is the author of numerous critically acclaimed and best-selling books, including The Complete HyperCard Handbook, Danny Goodman’s AppleScript Handbook, Dynamic HTML: The Definitive Reference, and JavaScript & DHTML Cookbook. He is a renowned authority and expert teacher of computer scripting languages. His writing style and pedagogy continue to earn praise from readers and teachers around the world. To help keep his finger on the pulse of real-world programming challenges, Goodman frequently lends his touch as consulting programmer and designer to leading-edge World Wide Web and intranet sites from his home base in the San Francisco area.

Michael Morrison is a writer, developer, toy inventor, and author of a variety of books covering topics such as Java, Web scripting, game development, ActiveX, and Pocket PCs. Some of Michael’s notable writing projects include Faster Smarter HTML and XML, Teach Yourself XML in 24 Hours, and The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Java 2. Michael is also the founder of Stalefish Labs (www.stalefishlabs.com), an entertainment company specializing in traditional games and toys.

Product Details

• Paperback: 1272 pages
• Publisher: Wiley; 5 edition (March 19, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0764557432
• ISBN-13: 978-0764557439
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 7.6 x 2.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (23 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #916,171 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

64 of 68 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The JavaScript classic..., June 6, 2004

By 

Thomas Duff "Duffbert" (Portland, OR United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: JavaScript Bible, Fifth Edition (Paperback)

Target Audience
Anyone who either uses or wants to learn JavaScript.

Contents
This is a detailed reference and tutorial guide to the JavaScript language. It is divided into six parts and the following chapters:

Part 1 - Getting Started With JavaScript: JavaScript's Role In The World Wide Web And Beyond; Authoring Challenges Amid The Browser Wars; Your First JavaScript Script
Part 2 - JavaScript Tutorial - Browser And Document Objects; Scripts And HTML Documents; Programming Fundamentals, Part 1; Programming Fundamentals, Part 2; Window And Document Objects; Forms And Form Elements; Strings, Math, And Dates; Scripting Frames And Multiple Windows; Images And Dynamic HTML
Part 3 - Document Object Reference - JavaScript Essentials; Document Object Model Essentials; Generic HTML Elements Objects; Window And Frame Objects; Location And History Objects; The Document And Body Objects; Link And Anchor Objects; Image, Area, And Map Objects; The Form And Related Objects; Button Objects; Text-Related Form Objects; Select, Option, And FileUpload Objects; Event Objects; Style Sheet And Style Objects
Part 4 - JavaScript Core Language Reference - The String Object; The Math, Number, And Boolean Objects; The Date Object; The Array Object, Control Structures And Exception Handling; JavaScript Operators; Functions And Custom Objects; Global Functions And Statements; Body Text Objects
Part 5 - Appendixes - JavaScript And Browser Object Quick Reference; JavaScript Reserved Words; Answers To Tutorial Exercises; JavaScript And DOM Internet Resources; What's On The CD-ROM; Index
Part 6 - Bonus Chapters (CD-ROM) - HTML Directive Objects; Table And List Objects; The Navigator And Other Environment Objects; Positioned Objects; Embedded Objects; XML Objects; The Regular Expression And RegExp Objects; Data-Entry Validation; Scripting Java Applets And Plug-ins; Debugging Scripts; Security And Netscape Signed Scripts; Cross-Browser Dynamic HTML Issues; Internet Explorer Behaviors; Application: Tables And Calendars; Application: A Lookup Table; Application: A "Poor Man's" Order Form; Application: Outline-Style Table Of Contents; Application: Calculations And Graphics; Application: Intelligent "Updated" Flags; Application: Decision Helper; Application: Cross-Browser DHTML Map Puzzle; Application: Transforming XML Data

Review
What can you say about a reference book that is in it's 5th edition? In this field, technologies change rapidly and it's tough to keep up. Often, authors stop after a first edition of a book, either due to lack of sales, financial return, or lack of interest in creating a follow-up. Not only has Danny Goodman created a definitive guide to the JavaScript language, he's continued to keep it current and fresh through five iterations. For that alone, he could be commended. But aside from longevity, this is likely the most complete coverage I've seen on a given topic.

By starting off with a tutorial that is easy to follow, the JavaScript Bible will appeal to new users of the scripting language. All of the essentials are covered, along with questions at the end of each chapter to test your retention. For the veteran coder, parts 3 and 4 are worth their weight in gold. Not only is every method and property of every object covered and documented, but you also are told what the browser compatibility expectations are. Since all the browsers are not equal in support of JavaScript, you can quickly get into situations where a coded routine will run for IE but not Netscape. You may even find problems between versions of the same brand browser. By paying attention to the compatibility information, you have a fighting chance of writing code that will be usable by more than one browser.

This is also a situation where the CD-is actually useful. The bonus chapters actually add more content to the book, instead of just adding on demo versions of software that you will never load. Since the CD contains the entire text of the book, you also have the distinct advantage of loading the PDF to your computer and searching for information you need. There isn't much in this book that is a waste of time, nor is there much else I can imagine that could be added to the book to improve it. It's truly a classic.

Conclusion
If you use JavaScript at all, this is the single reference book you'll need to own. This covers it all.

29 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic book for referencing javascript, October 12, 2005

By 

Bad Hobbit - See all my reviews

This review is from: JavaScript Bible, Fifth Edition (Paperback)

I hestated about buying this book when I read some of the reviews about how poorly organized this book is. Also I have "JavaScript & DHTML Cookbook" by same author and was not happy with it.

Before I bought the book, I would look up everything I needed info on, in the online index and found *EVERYTHING*. I did the same for a number of other Javascript books and most of the stuff wasn't in their index.

First let me say that I am an Engineer with 20+ years experience so though I'm pretty new to JavaScript, I'm an expert in a number of languages.

I found this book to be very well organized and incredibly helpful. I haven't tried reading it as a book cover to cover, and at 1200 pages (plus bonus chapters on CD) I never will. I use it as a reference and read just enough to understand what I need to do. As a result I'm coming at the book not as a novice but with enough understanding to have basic ideas of what I want to do. For this type of usage, this book is "fantastic".

The CD is awesome. There are a number of bonus chapters (one which was very useful to me...using XmlHTTPRequest), and having the entire book available as a pdf is a totally great way to do searches. Too bad the .pdf is too big to be readable on my clie.

I highly recommend this book.

66 of 73 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars OK for the cut&paste programmer., September 8, 2004

By 

wiredweird "wiredweird" (Earth, or somewhere nearby) - See all my reviews
(HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 500 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: JavaScript Bible, Fifth Edition (Paperback)

The value of this massive book lies in its many examples. The JavaScript language is simple enough, but its the definitions of the system objects that create complexity in using it. Goodman spends lots of time going over the particulars, with short readable examples.

This is great for the serious HTML writer. I'm imagining a reader who's done a good bit of HTML and may have a little experience with more common kinds of programming. That reader has probably looked into the source code for lots of other people's web pages, and has probably seen JavaScript embedded for various cool functions. Such people will appreciate the thoroughness, detail, examples, and friendly style of the book.

That intended reader is not a battle-hardened veteran of software engineering or advanced student of computer science. People with more programming background may be disappointed by the relatively low density of the text, and by its organization. The author has created a successful organization grouping by task, but that is very different from a formal presentation of the language and standard APIs.

Decide who you are and what you want. This is a book for a specific purpose and reading population, and seems to serve those very well. If your purpose or backgorund are different, though, the organization may not meet your needs.

//wiredweird