This is the absolute best Javascript book for learning to actually use (i.e build stuff correctly) the language there is!
If you have even a basic knowledge of programming, and a good grasp of html, web design, IT, etc. and you want to learn to program in JavaScript, this is the book to buy!
It covers the kind of stuff most of the guys who write these books just slop over (you know, the old, "if you dont know this, that's your problem Lame-O " well, you wont find that here!!).
Kudos to Paul Wilton ! I hope he writes one on Java soon !
Rating: Summary: "Beginning" is a misnomer Review: I almost passed this book over in the bookstore because of the "Beginning" in the title. "Beginning" implies basic and based on other Wrox titles I've seen, it usually meant an over view of wizards and the development environment. I had looked at several other JavaScript books and finally selected one although it was not exactly what I wanted. I was on my way to the register when I decided to go back and took another look, even at the "Beginning" book. It wasn't what I expected. This book has not let me down. It has so far anticipated and answered every question that comes to my mind. It has a very good balance between tutorial and reference. Mr. Wilton is a talented writer and I hope he will be doing more books.
Although, I did not purchase this title from Amazon, I felt compelled to write this review so that others can benefit from my experience.
Rating: Summary: Satisfied Customer Review: I chose this book on JavaScript based upon the reviews which were already posted at Amazon on this and similar books. After having read the first few chapters, I totally agree that this book is both usable by both programmers with experience in other languages as well as by a total novice. The reader must, however, have a least a cusory knowledge of HTML. I found that Mr. Wilton is particularly good in his explanations of the sample code. Although I'm still in the first 100 pages (the book has over 1000), it appearts that the book is very complete. Also, there are references to other sources (mainly on-line) where further formal explanations can be obtained. Finally, all examples of code are on downloadable from the publisher's Web site.
Rating: Summary: The best, most informative programming book available!! Review: When obtaining a copy of this book I was amazed at how simple the examples were to follow.
Step-by-step, line-by-line the code is broken down, analysed and then reproduced by you, the reader, making the learning process infinatley more rewarding and enjoyable.
Paul Wilton, the author, has completley abolished the pre-conception of long winded and 'Geeky' books dedicated the the learning of a computer language.
I suggest that anyone interested in learning JavaScript give this book a chance, it's heads and shoulders above the rest.
Rating: Summary: You just gotta have it! Review: This is by far one of the most in-depth js books on the market. Not only is it a reference manual but it is also an instructor, step by step. It would help you to understand some of the js language before you dive into this book but the author does attempt to teach, and I feel successfully so.
Just about everything that you could want to do with js in regards to the world wide web is covered in here. JS is not the be-all end-all solution but the language picks up where a lot of scripting languages like perl, PHP leave off.
If you have enjoyed the power of js with web development and want to get more from it you have to take a look at this book, anybody at any experience level will enjoy it.
A great reference and an excellent companion.
Rating: Summary: Great Book for beginners and pros! Review: This book is outstanding! Very rarely is there a book that is very clear and concise, yet still thorough enough to take the reader from the basics to some advanced concepts. Wrox scores again! With this book any average "Joe" can begin writing Javascript within a few minutes, and become competent within a few days. The examples are clear (and work) and the author does not talk in lingo and acronyms. I really loved this book, as a Javascript programmer myself, I needed a book for a quick reference, this one is wonderful. It has a good index, too!
If you want to learn JavaScript quickly and correctly - - Buy this book.
Rating: Summary: Book confuses the issues and doesn't get to the syntax Review: Instead of defining all the attributes of say "Request.QueryString" into differenct contexts like Javascript and HTML , he muddles around with probably the lamest web application environment around.
Rating: Summary: Superb introduction to JavaScript for programmers Review: The black stripe at the top of this book says "Programmer to Programmer." This is not a book of tricks, like many JavaScript titles out there. This is a book for serious programmers and it is geared to the web programmer, since JavaScript is most often used on the web client side. The book does go a bit fast in some areas, but careful reading and reviewing will help a lot and anyone who is serious about programming shouldn't have a problem. Of course, when learning any language a background in programming does help, but this book is a good starting point for anyone who is serious about actually learning how to program. If all you want is a book of tricks, this book is not for you. I would purchase the Visual Quickstart Guide to JavaScript instead, or look for a free web tutorial. There are many JavaScript sites that give tricks away for free. However, if you need to know how to build JavaScript from the ground up, I don't think you can do much better than this book.
Rating: Summary: Thank You, Paul Wilton! Review: I bought the first edition of this text five years ago when I was just beginning to learn JavaScript, and I still refer to it on a regular basis despite having several other more advanced texts on Javascript, because the information in this text is so complete and well-explained. I am writing this review today because the book is here on my desktop as I am working on a script, and it occurred to me that I should take a moment to acknowledge what a valuable resource it has been for me.
The first edition is dated, of course, due to browser changes mainly. The transition from Classic ASP to ASP.NET is another area where the technology has changed, but the basic information on the language itself is as relevant as ever. That notwithstanding, I'll have to purchase the 2nd edition now that I'm aware of it's existence.
This book will gently but firmly take you from knowing nothing about Javascript to programming at an advanced beginner to intermediate level, and once you have worked through the entire book, you'll find yourself using it as a reference for the details of syntax or the useful little tricks, as well as the excellent documentation of the Javascript core and the various object models.
If you are looking for information on more advanced techniques, such as object-oriented construction or extension, or very advanced DHTML, you might consider a text such as Danny Goodman's, or the Wrox Professional JavaScript 2nd Ed., or the Javascript Developers Dictionary which is available new for just a few bucks and is not bad at all.
Rating: Summary: Second edition adds great improvements Review: All of the reviews of this book from April 2004 and earlier are based on the 1st edition, not this new second edition which didn't publish until the end of April 2004. The second edition adds some new great coverage of dynamic HTML in more recent browser versions and a new chapter on JavaScript and XML. Throughout the book there are many new examples and all of the code is now updated to be sure it works with the latest browser versions.
