Dynamic HTML for Dummies (Paperback)

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Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Dynamic HTML for Dummies explains how to take advantage of the decorative and functional HTML enhancements that Microsoft Internet Explorer can display. This book does a fine job of introducing Web developers to Microsoft's additions to the standard Web publishing language.

In Dynamic HTML for Dummies, readers get exposed to filters, cascading style sheets, and event-driven interactivity. Rather than document Dynamic HTML (DHTML) fully, the author chooses to present a sort of "best of" collection, revealing the code behind the DHTML tricks that interest most publishers. As a result, it contains the HTML recipes for many effects you've seen on the Web.

While JScript greatly influences the creation of DHTML documents, Hyman refrains from making his book a comprehensive scripting text. Instead, he presents only the components of JScript necessary for writing DHTML event handlers and animations. He leaves detailed coverage of the language to more specialized books. Readers should walk away with a decent grasp of the DHTML object model, ready to explore it in greater depth.

The main shortcoming of Dynamic HTML for Dummies derives from its focus on Internet Explorer 4.x, now outmoded by version 5. The good news is that much of the material carries over to the new release. --David Wall

From Library Journal

"Dynamic HTML" is a euphemism for "the standard tags are not enough and you have to learn some programming." Hyman introduces the dynamic object model, Cascading Style Sheets, and scripting languages like VBscript and Jscript. Like most books in the IDG series, this one is well written and entertaining. One caveat: the examples are Microsoft-centric, and some of the nonstandard suggestions here will not be supported in Netscape. For larger collections as an adjunct to Campbell. Since Netscape still has about 60 percent of the browser market, web authors exclude a lot of readers by designing for Internet Explorer 4. Campbell's book is for folks who want to design for all browsers. In a two-chapters-per-day seminar, Campbell covers all the bases and nicely balances the hands-on practical tips with underlying theory. He concludes with some worthwhile thoughts on "How much dynamic is too much?" Highly recommended for both beginners and advanced HTML users moving to the dynamic model and JavaScript. While Darnell does not use the word "dynamic" in the title, his bible covers everything dynamic: HTML, JavaScript, ActiveX, Java and the CGI, and even XML. To cover all that ground, he makes some assumptions, so this is not a book for beginners. It can work as a great quick reference for power users. For larger collections.
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 416 pages
• Publisher: Hungry Minds Inc; Bk&CD-Rom edition (December 10, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0764502832
• ISBN-13: 978-0764502835
• Product Dimensions: 9.5 x 7.5 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 2.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #2,777,028 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Not Bad., August 1, 2000

By	Isaac Cajina "a nerd" (Los Angeles, CA, USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

It's a good book, but you have to know a little about HTML to start with. It also doesn't teach you, it shows you cool effect you can do. If you want to learn HTML, then you should get HTML for Dummies, then read this. I have to tell you the software wasn't half bad.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Should be called Javascript for Dummies, not DHTML, July 6, 2000

By A Customer

This book is not a bad book, however it will teach you little DHTML. THe author spends 2 much time on Javascript, and lacks explanation. Furthermore, the author does not "teach" you how to do it, but simly shows some cool DHTML effects with their codes. THis can be useful if you want to cut-n-paste the code, however if you want to learn DHTML then buy another book.

2.0 out of 5 stars Too much humor and too little substance...., June 19, 2003

By A Customer

I normally look to the For Dummies books as intro's to a subject (book you can read to get the basics of a new topic, and then move on to a more serious book if you need to.) And one aspect I've always liked about these books is the humor the author's use in the material to make them more entertaining.

However, this author uses way too much humor or effort trying to be "cute". Even the Chapter titles are attempts to be humorous and or witty. To the point you can't look anything up in the table of contents because the titles don't tell you what's in the chapters!!!

And although "For Dummies" books are usually not great reference books, at least they have most of the basics and could be used as a light reference. This book is totally worthless as a reference.

Other than as an example of what the author thinks are "cool" effects, it was a huge disappointment for me.