Press Release
November 1, 2006
Learning JavaScript: Apply JavaScript to Today's Programming Challenges
Sebastopol, CA--Revered by some for its capabilities and disdained by
others for its simplicity, JavaScript has moved in and out of the
limelight since its introduction in 1995. The recent flurry of enthusiasm
for Ajax--Asynchronous JavaScript and XML--has brought JavaScript solidly
into prominence once more: "The big word in web development now is Ajax,"
says Shelley Powers, author of Learning JavaScript (O'Reilly, US
$29.99). "No matter what server-side language the developer is using or
what they're building, at some point they're going to have to get their
hands on JavaScript."
But if Ajax has helped popularize JavaScript, it's also complicated the
language, Powers observes. "For some reason, JavaScript has developed a
reputation for being an 'ugly' or less than useful language, and, as a
consequence, Ajax developers have created libraries to make the language
look more like Ruby or Python or even Java.
"However, they've also added all sorts of odd semantics into Ajax
applications, with little documentation, and obscure references to items
such as 'function closures' and so on," continues Powers. "So then you
have JavaScript books and libraries that are focused on the old styles of
web page development, and new Ajax libraries and books on the new style,
and nothing bridges the two.
"This is where my book comes in," says Powers. "I've worked with and
written about JavaScript as it's gone from mainly being an in-page method
of manipulating forms to Dynamic HTML (DHTML) applications, and now Ajax.
I've incorporated what I've learned through the years into an introduction
to JavaScript that can also be considered a 'survival guide' to those
learning JavaScript because they want to jump into Ajax."
Learning JavaScript provides web designers and programmers with an easy
path through JavaScript's power and idiosyncrasies. Using web-based
examples, Powers shows readers how to build JavaScript logic and connect
it to existing object structures, as well as how to build libraries and
take advantage of libraries others have written. The book also explores:
- Techniques for using JavaScript reliably in the multi-browser world of
the web
- JavaScript's extensibility mechanisms and how they differ from
'traditional' object-oriented programming
- Handling traditional JavaScript tasks, such as form validation, DOM
manipulation, and interactive styling
- JavaScript security, including the web-browser sandbox, cookies, and
interaction with other objects
- Building Ajax applications with JavaScript and the XMLHttpRequest object
- Applying libraries for special effects and Ajax interactions
One of the most widely used languages available, JavaScript is also one of
the most misunderstood. The reason for this, Powers explains, is that
JavaScript is two languages in one. The first is a fast, friendly,
easy-to-use scripting language built into web browsers and other
applications, offering functions such as form validation, drop down menus,
color fades during data updates, and in-place page edits. The second
language, however, is a mature, full-featured, carefully constrained,
object-based language, which does require more in-depth understanding.
"Used correctly," says Powers, "it can help web applications scale with
little or no change to the application on the server. It can simplify
website development and add a level of sophistication, making a good site
appear even better to its visitors." Used incorrectly, she cautions,
JavaScript can open security holes to a site or make a page unusable,
unreadable, and less accessible.
In Learning JavaScript, Powers introduces readers to both languages: the
fun scripting language and the powerful object-oriented programming
language. "More importantly, I'm going to show you how to use JavaScript
correctly," says Powers.
Additional Resources:
Learning JavaScript
Shelley Powers
ISBN: 0-596-52746-2, 335 pages, $29.99 US, $38.99 CA
order@oreilly.com
1-800-998-9938; 1-707-827-7000
About O'Reilly
O'Reilly Media spreads the knowledge of innovators through its books, online services, magazines, and conferences. Since 1978, O'Reilly Media has been a chronicler and catalyst of cutting-edge development, homing in on the technology trends that really matter and spurring their adoption by amplifying "faint signals" from the alpha geeks who are creating the future. An active participant in the technology community, the company has a long history of advocacy, meme-making, and evangelism.
Return to: O'Reilly Press Room
|
Recent Press Releases
Press Release Archive »
Resources
Press Contacts
Corporate
Sara Winge
800/998-9938 x7109
Media Relations - North America
Sara Peyton
800/998-9938 x7118
Media Relations - Germany
Corina Pahrmann
+49-221-973160-22
Media Relations - Japan
Kenji Watari
+81-3-3356-5227
Media Relations - United Kingdom
Josette Garcia
+44 (0)1252-721284
Media Relations - Conferences
Maureen Jennings
800/998-9938 x7083
|
