JavaScript: The Definitive Guide, Fourth Edition

JavaScript is a powerful, object-based scripting language; JavaScript programs can be embedded directly in HTML web pages. When combined with the Document Object Model (DOM) defined by a web browser, JavaScript allows you to create Dynamic HTML content and interactive client-side web applications. JavaScript syntax is based on the popular programming languages C, C++, and Java, which makes it familiar and easy to learn for experienced programmers. At the same time, JavaScript is an interpreted scripting language, providing a flexible, forgiving programming environment in which new programmers can learn. JavaScript: The Definitive Guide provides a thorough description of the core JavaScript language and both the legacy and standard DOMs implemented in web browsers. The book includes sophisticated examples that show you how to handle common tasks, like validating form data, working with cookies, and creating portable DHTML animations. The book also contains detailed reference sections that cover the core JavaScript API, the legacy client-side API, and the W3C standard DOM API, documenting every JavaScript object, method, property, constructor, constant, function, and event handler in those APIs. This fourth edition of the bestselling JavaScript book has been carefully updated to cover JavaScript 1.5 (ECMAScript version 3). The book also provides complete coverage of the W3C DOM standard (Level 1 and Level 2), while retaining material on the legacy Level 0 DOM for backward compatibility. JavaScript: The Definitive Guide is a complete programmer's guide and reference manual for JavaScript. It is particularly useful for developers working with the latest standards-compliant web browsers, like Internet Explorer 6, Netscape 6, and Mozilla. HTML authors can learn how to use JavaScript to build dynamic web pages. Experienced programmers can quickly find the information they need to start writing sophisticated JavaScript programs. This book is an indispensable reference for all JavaScript programmers, regardless of experience level.

JavaScript: The Definitive Guide, 4th Edition Review,  January 03 2004
Submitted by Neil Johnson   [Respond | View]

An excellent book, I am most of the way through part 1 and 2 and it has been a real eye-opener as to how JavaScript works. The examples helped make clear some of the more esoteric parts of Javascript, including the concept of functions being objects! It has also helped to explain a number of inherited javascripts that have been partially incomprehensible.

This book will definitely be sitting directly on my desk as a reference book.


JavaScript: The Definitive Guide, 4th Edition Review,  December 29 2003
Submitted by Bill E   [Respond | View]

I have been teaching myself to program from books since 1991. On my shelf are books by Petzold ,Prosise, and Appleman. I have been dabbling with Javascript for the last 4 years and felt I needed something more comprehensive than the Dummies reference I have been relying on. Perhaps it is just because I fall dead center of this book's target readership but, having almost completed the Core Guide section, I would say David Flanagan has produced the best programming book I have ever read. His approach is rational and his writing is succinct. He imparts his understanding of the topic without dogmatic assertions and without his ego intruding into the text. I am devouring this book like a novel, learning something with just about every page I turn, and cannot wait to get on to the Client-Side Javascript in Part 2.


JavaScript: The Definitive Guide, 4th Edition Review,  November 10 2003
Submitted by Todd   [Respond | View]

If you truly want to understand the inner workings of JavaScript (not just make a background color change every .2 seconds or open a new window), I would say this book is essential. I'm addicted... I'm on my fifth time thru the Core Language section.

David lays the language out in painstaking detail! I highly recommend!

Todd


JavaScript: The Definitive Guide, 4th Edition Review,  September 08 2003
Submitted by mohamed hashem   [Respond | View]

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JavaScript: The Definitive Guide, 4th Edition Review,  September 08 2003
Submitted by mohamed hashem   [Respond | View]

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<title> MOOOOOOON </title>

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JavaScript: The Definitive Guide, 4th Edition Review,  August 20 2003
Submitted by Ken Januski   [Respond | View]

I've avoided the use of Javascript as much as possible, possibly due to my adverse reaction to this book (3rd edition) on my first read. Now I'm rereading it because I need so use Javascript on some pages. But in between the first and second read I've gotten much more fluent in both Java and Perl so I really trust that I'm competent to read it and most programming/scripting books. But just like on my first read the book, and maybe the language, are just as offputting as they were before.

I'm not really sure why that is but I think that the first section just doesn't do a very good job of explaining the internals. Or perhaps the internals just indicate a real hodgepodge of a language. I'm currently reading Learning Perl Objects Modules and References and it explains a very complex subject far more clearly than this. And that's not due to the humor. It just explains things more clearly. But what I really can't figure out is if that is because Perl, like Java, is just a language that is far more logical than Javascript or whether the explanations of those languages in the books I've read are just far better than this.

Sorry to rain on everybody's parade but after finding myself suffering mental anguish as I try to read through this for the second time I have to think that it's not just me.

I'm guessing that most people like it for the reference section. And they may be right. But trying to understand the language by reading the first part if like reading the manuals that used to come with software. All they did was give you a headache. I've probably read 100 O'Reilly books so I think that should be evidence enough that I don't have trouble with difficult books. There's just something about this one that makes it torture to read.

I wish it were not so.




JavaScript: The Definitive Guide, 4th Edition Review,  April 08 2003
Submitted by Mike   [Respond | View]

I also have to strongly disagree with the first review. I just picked up the 4th edition for a graduate class on web scripting and development and for work as a web developer. I was almost immediately able to adapt several of the example scripts. These are very real-world examples! Apparently the reviewer has superior knowledge and only has to look up highly esoteric, very obscure points about JavaScript. I found the reference, the entire book in fact, clearly written and well worth the cost.




JavaScript: The Definitive Guide, 4th Edition Review,  February 25 2003
Submitted by Kenneth Wilcox   [Respond | View]

This book has been dubbed by me as THE bible for/of JavaScripting. Plenty of information on the nitty-gritty of JavaScript. I've been using JavaScripts with my web pages for a while now (4 years) and there was a wealth of information I didn't even know existed. The bulk of the book is an invaluable reference, better than any I have seen online. If you do JavaScripting and do not own this book; I'd like to know how you do it. I think it would be painful without it.


JavaScript: The Definitive Guide, 4th Edition Review,  May 29 2002
Submitted by Björn Arvidsson   [Respond | View]

This is a really good professional reference litterature for software

developers who needs to know how JavaScript works in different environments.

It might appear a little bit theoretical for people who has little programming

experience. Like most O'Reilly books, it is written by someone who both knows

the subject and how to write a readable text! I would strongly recommend it to

anyone who needs a deeper knowledge about JavaScript.




JavaScript: The Definitive Guide, 4th Edition Review,  March 08 2002
Submitted by Patrick Denny   [Respond | View]

An excelent reference. This is MY Bible. The third edition travels with me from work to home. I'm salavating at the thought of the Fourth edition. Keep in mind though, this is for expert JavaScript Programmers. It is a reference, and it should be used as such. Look elsewhere if you're looking to learn the language. (actually, pick it up, but buy another book too.)


JavaScript: The Definitive Guide, 4th Edition Review,  November 27 2001
Submitted by Eric Lind   [Respond | View]

I have to strongly disagree with the first review. The 3rd edition is easily one of the books I use the most. I happen to develop websites professionally and when I need information about a Javascript feature, this book is the one I turn to. It doesn't hold your hand and show you dozens of trivial, already been seen examples, it tells you what you you need to know without having to wade through superfluous fluff. I'm eagerly looking forward to getting my hands on the 4th ed so I can finally figure out what's going on with Javascript in version 6 browsers.


JavaScript: The Definitive Guide, 4th Edition Review,  November 26 2001
Submitted by MR   [Respond | View]

Just not a useful book for most people (3rd ed.). It tends to present the language formally -- as a kind of theoretical construct (few real world examples). Most people don't use JavaScript to build objects and classes (something it's not very good at). They use it to build webpages.
The 3rd ed. wasn't too useful for me, even as a reference. I'd look something up and then still have to go to the web for a useful answer.