With this up-to-date guide, you?ll find everything you need to know in order to develop interactive, robust, and personalized pages using JavaScript. It takes you step by step through this powerful scripting language so you can begin enhancing your site right away and increase visits. You?ll learn how to take advantage of native JavaScript objects, manipulate objects that are available to you in the latest browsers, use cookies, and jazz up your web pages with Dynamic HTML.

With this up-to-date guide, you’ll find everything you need to know in order to develop interactive, robust, and personalized pages using JavaScript. It takes you step by step through this powerful scripting language so you can begin enhancing your site right away and increase visits. You’ll learn how to take advantage of native JavaScript objects, manipulate objects that are available to you in the latest browsers, use cookies, and jazz up your web pages with Dynamic HTML.

Beginning JavaScript(r) 3rd Edition

Do you want to create more exciting web applications that will increase visits to your site? With this up-to-date guide, you’ll find everything you’ll need to know to develop interactive, robust, and personalized pages using JavaScript. It takes you step by step through this powerful scripting language so you can begin enhancing your site right away.

You’ll begin with the basic syntax and learn how to take advantage of native JavaScript objects. Next, you’ll see how to manipulate objects that are available to you in the latest browsers. You’ll then progress through more advanced topics, such as using cookies and jazzing up your web pages with Dynamic HTML.

Inside, you’ll also discover how to use Ajax, a communication technique that uses JavaScript to communicate with a remote web server. All of this will help you build truly professional-looking applications that allow you to interact with the user.

What you will learn from this book

* How to use objects such as dates and strings to manage complex data and simplify your programs
*

Tips for using forms, windows, and other controls
*

Ways to spot common syntax and logical errors as well as how to use the Microsoft(r) Script Debugger
*

How to make JavaScript interact with XML and HTML
*

Techniques for integrating ActiveX(r) and plug-ins with JavaScript
*

Steps for communicating with a server using remote scripting

Who this book is for

This book is for anyone who wants to learn JavaScript scripting. You should have some understanding of HTML and how to create static web pages, but no prior programming experience is necessary.

Wrox Beginning guides are crafted to make learning programming languages and technologies easier than you think, providing a structured tutorial format that will guide you through all the techniques involved.

Beginning JavaScript(r) 3rd Edition

Do you want to create more exciting web applications that will increase visits to your site? With this up-to-date guide, you’ll find everything you’ll need to know to develop interactive, robust, and personalized pages using JavaScript. It takes you step by step through this powerful scripting language so you can begin enhancing your site right away.

You’ll begin with the basic syntax and learn how to take advantage of native JavaScript objects. Next, you’ll see how to manipulate objects that are available to you in the latest browsers. You’ll then progress through more advanced topics, such as using cookies and jazzing up your web pages with Dynamic HTML.

Inside, you’ll also discover how to use Ajax, a communication technique that uses JavaScript to communicate with a remote web server. All of this will help you build truly professional-looking applications that allow you to interact with the user.

What you will learn from this book

* How to use objects such as dates and strings to manage complex data and simplify your programs
*

Tips for using forms, windows, and other controls
*

Ways to spot common syntax and logical errors as well as how to use the Microsoft(r) Script Debugger
*

How to make JavaScript interact with XML and HTML
*

Techniques for integrating ActiveX(r) and plug-ins with JavaScript
*

Steps for communicating with a server using remote scripting

Who this book is for

This book is for anyone who wants to learn JavaScript scripting. You should have some understanding of HTML and how to create static web pages, but no prior programming experience is necessary.

Wrox Beginning guides are crafted to make learning programming languages and technologies easier than you think, providing a structured tutorial format that will guide you through all the techniques involved.

* Continuing the standard of excellence set by the bestselling previous two editions, this new version features coverage of Ajax and updates all the code to insure compliance with the current browsers Firefox 1.5/2.0 and Explorer 6/7
* Improved examples throughout the book boast up-to-date and relevant programming techniques
* New and updated material includes an introduction to dynamic HTML, dynamic HTML in modern browsers, JavaScript and XML, and Ajax for remote scripting
* Additional topics include data types and variables; decisions, loops, and functions; programming the browser; interacting with the user; windows and frames; string manipulation; error handling; cookies; and much more

Suitable for learning basic programming for Web browsers, Beginning JavaScript is a patient, introductory tutorial on writing scripts successfully. It teaches you how to create client-side scripts (including full coverage of fundamentals like variables and flow control, plus plenty of screen shots.)

JavaScript is a good way to learn programming. It’s powerful, of course, but the book takes small steps, using scripts that work with string and time data first, and then moving to manipulating browser objects like forms and windows. A running case study for a trivia game helps anchor the steps with a practical (and fun) example. There are plenty of tips on debugging your scripts (including how to use the Microsoft Script Debugger tool), and each section includes sample questions. (The book also offers extensive answers in over 80 pages at the end of the book.)

There’s plenty of material on the differences between Internet Explorer and Netscape, especially when it comes to Dynamic HTML (DHTML). Coverage of the Document Object Model (DOM) for browsers helps bring the text up to date on some of the latest standards in Web browsers (including the new Netscape 6).

While the focus of Beginning JavaScript clearly is on the client, later sections turn to server-side ASP development (in which the sample trivia game is enhanced with ASPs written in JavaScript using ADO and Microsoft Access.) Reference sections on JavaScript and the browser object model for Internet Explorer and Netscape (through version 4.x) round out the material.

In all, with its approachable style and clearly rendered code examples, Beginning JavaScript makes for a worthwhile first book of programming for today’s browsers. Even if you haven’t programmed before, this text can give you the tools you need to bring your static Web pages to life. --Richard Dragan

Topics covered:

• Introduction to JavaScript
• Cross-browser compatibility issues
• JavaScript data types and variables
• Displaying errors
• Calculations
• Operators
• String handling
• Flow control statements
• Loops
• Introduction to using objects
• The browser object model
• HTML forms (including types of input controls)
• Frames and windows
• Tutorial for regular expressions
• Advanced string methods
• Date, time, and timer objects
• Common errors
• The Microsoft Script Debugger
• Cookies
• Dynamic HTML (DHTML) on Internet Explorer 4.0 and Netscape Navigator 4.x
• The Document Object Model (DOM)
• ActiveX controls and plug-ins used with JavaScript
• Server-scripting
• Introduction to ASP and databases (including SQL basics and database design with Microsoft Access)
• Sample case study for a trivia game
• Sample exercises and answers
• References to JavaScript
• Internet Explorer 4 and 5 and Netscape Navigator 4 objects
• ASP object model reference

• Continuing the standard of excellence set by the bestselling previous two editions, this new version features coverage of Ajax and updates all the code to insure compliance with the current browsers Firefox 1.5/2.0 and Explorer 6/7
• Improved examples throughout the book boast up-to-date and relevant programming techniques
• New and updated material includes an introduction to dynamic HTML, dynamic HTML in modern browsers, JavaScript and XML, and Ajax for remote scripting
• Additional topics include data types and variables; decisions, loops, and functions; programming the browser; interacting with the user; windows and frames; string manipulation; error handling; cookies; and much more

What is this book about? JavaScript is the preferred programming language for Web page applications, letting you enhance your sites with interactive, dynamic, and personalized pages. This fully updated guide shows you how to take advantage of JavaScript’s client-side scripting techniques for the newest versions of Netscape and Internet Explorer, even if you’ve never programmed before. You begin with basic syntax and learn about data types and how to structure code for decision-making. Then you learn to use dates, strings, and other basic objects of JavaScript. Next, you see how to use JavaScript to manipulate objects provided by the browser, such as forms and windows. From there, you move into advanced topics like using cookies and dynamic HTML. After you have a solid foundation, you explore dynamic generation of Web content using server-side scripting and back-end databases. And you practice what you learn by building a sample application as you go. What does this book cover? Here are some of the things you’ll find in this book: What types of data are used in JavaScript How to identify and correct flaws in your code Techniques for programming the browser How to use Microsoft Script Debugger and Netscape Script Debugger Ways to manage cross-browser issues How JavaScript interacts with XML and HTML

Very big book
Extremely huge book. Great for a blank introduction to the language. Very extremely thorough. Not so much of a quick reference book, but great for learning the basic and advanced commands of JavaScript. It is so big I’ve had it for a while and still have not finished reading it.. You create a JavaScript quiz throughout the book that tells you how many you got wrong and your score. Great introduction book, it does have advanced stuff at the end of it.

Beginning Javascript excellent book
Can’t say enough about this book. Really outstanding in explaining the how-to of Javascript, especially for the beginner. Truly an outstanding book! Thnak you.

Domain Names, Domain Name Registration and Web Hosting | SeoSmith.Net
With this up-to-date guide, you’ll find everything you need to know in order to develop interactive, robust, and personalized pages using JavaScript. It takes you step by step through this powerful scripting language so you can begin enhancing your site right away and increase visits. You’ll learn how to take advantage of native JavaScript objects, manipulate objects that are available to you in the latest browsers, use cookies, and jazz up your web pages with Dynamic HTML. Great Update!!!
Table of Contents

Chapter 1. Introduction to JavaScript and the Web.
Chapter 2. Data Types and Variables.
Chapter 3. Decisions, Loops, and Functions.
Chapter 4. JavaScript--An Object-Based Language.
Chapter 5. Programming the Browser.
Chapter 6. HTML Forms--Interacting with the User.
Chapter 7. Windows and Frames.
Chapter 8. String Manipulation.
Chapter 9. Date, Time, and Timers.
Chapter 10. Common Mistakes, Debugging, and Error Handling.
Chapter 11. Storing Information. Cookies.
Chapter 12. Introduction to Dynamic HTML.
Chapter 13. Dynamic HTML in Modern Browsers.
Chapter 14. JavaScript and XML.
Chapter 15. Using ActiveX and Plug-Ins with JavaScript.
Chapter 16. Ajax and Remote Scripting

information in this book is very very VERY old!
this book is a total waste of money. The things you learn are made for very old browsers. So if you want a book to learn js don’t get this one, you would learn things as they where done 10 years ago.

Pretty good book on Beginning Javascript
I was required to purchase this book for a class that I was taking. It works well for the class, and I feel that the content has been thorough. The explanations have been very good.

For the JavaScript beginner this is for you
I bought this book for a class I was taking and it help me to better grasp the the subject of JavaScript with it’s practical examples and quizzes. I am a better programmer now. I can’t wait for their Advanced JavaScript book if there is one.

3rd Edition VERY DISSAPOINTING
I have used the first and second editions of this book as training courseware for several years. Allthough, I was never 100% happy with the book (some important topics had been left out, the content is not cleanly organized and the examples could have been better) it served its purpose.

When I heard that the 3rd edition would be coming out, I looked forward to new and updated information, more complete descriptions and the inclusion of previously omitted information. When the 3rd edition came out, I purchased it and found it to be VERY DISSAPOINTING...to the point that it is actually worse than it was before. I will no longer use this text as a training resource as it is more conveluted than in the past and still does not include basic information that should be there.

Examples:

The 2nd edition was 1010 pages, the 3rd edition is 767 - clearly much information has been removed and unfortunately it was Appendicies B, C, & D, which were The JavaScript Core Reference, The JavaScript Client Reference, and the Latin Character Set. Now, the book just has Appendix A, which is the book’s exercise solutions. The book’s exercise, by the way, is a continuing example that is not very "real-world" oriented and something that most people would skip over anyway. Devoting an appendix to this, but removing the hard-core reference appendicies makes no sense whatsoever!

In none of the previous editions was there any mention of referring to external script files (.js) files, as is done as common practice out in the real world. I was hoping the new edition would include this, but not a word about it is mentioned.

The confusing "flow" of the chapters has not been corected, so you still have to get to chapter 10 before addressing errors and debugging techniques (which should be addressed as chapter 2, in my opinion as a professional trainer) and finding out that you really should be working with certain IE and FireFox settings changed if you want to be able to see your JavaScript errors show up in your browser! Seriously?! The reader is expected to go through 9 chapters without being told how to see an error message about their mistakes!! Like we don’t make mistakes until chapter 11?!!

Chapter 13 is still called "Dynamic HTML in Modern Browsers" instead of what the rest of the world calls it; "The W3C Document Object Model".

There was, and still is, a chapter on XML in the book, but rather than simply merging this information into the chapter about the DOM (since the only JavaScript that is discussed in the XML chapter has to do with parsing XML via the DOM), we get a small chapter that is more about XML than JavaScript. And, there is no mention at all about using JavaScript within XML, rather than XML within JavaScript (ie. enclosing JavaScript inside of CDATA sections for proper XML parsing).

We still have the same old chapter 4 that is an overview of JavaScript and OO. Half of what you need to know about the JavaScript Native Objects (String, Number, Math, Date, etc.) is in this chapter and the other half is in chapters 8 and 9, instead of putting it all together in one place.

The bottom line for me is that this book skips important information that new JavaScript developers should know. It has no hope of becomming organized properly and crucial appendicies have been removed. This makes this book no longer useful as a reference (which serious programmers want and need).

By the way, WROX (now owned by Wiley Press) has done basically the same thing with the new 4th edition of Beginning XML. That book is still wildly incomplete and disorganized.

The best
Still the best book on JavaScript. With each edition it becomes better, if that’s possible.

Its a great book for beginners and helps you grow in the field as it moves on
Its a great book one I think should always be there even when you have moved on to advanced levels of Java scripting. The language is simple great examples help you put your knowledge at work.

Beginning JavaScript- a great place to start
I have experience programming Java, C++, Q-Basic, CSS, HTML, PHP and started to learn JavaScript from free resources on the internet. The problem is that the internet is full of sales pitches and just free code. I wanted to get a good understanding to write my own code. The Beginning JavaScript gave me a great understanding of the basics. The reading was very easy- for someone with programming experience, there was too much of the basic programming info and far too many examples to help understand the basics. If you have NO programming experience, then this book is perfect for you because it will teach you everything you need to get started. After reading this book I was able to do some pretty cool dymanic website stuff on my websites.

I did want to learn more JavaScript though, so I checked out the Professional JavaScript by the same publisher. The Professional JavaScript book is great (especially if you read the Beginning JavaScript or already now programming or a little JavaScript). I was affraid that after reading the Beginning JavaScript book I would see a lot of repeat stuff in the Professional JavaScript book- that is NOT the case. There is a little over lap, but the Professional book does not spend as much time on the easy stuff. To make a long review short... I recommend the Beginning for beginners and I recommend the Professional to those who finished the Beginning book and to those that are already good at programming!

good overview
For a beginning JavaScript book, this covers a lot of topics. The trade-off naturally is that some topics aren’t covered as thoroughly as they might be. As an example, it only mentions one form of commenting code, with 2 slashes:

//this comment must fit on one line

without mentioning comments surrounded by /* and */, as in

/* this comment can extend over
* many lines */

On the other hand, it also covers topics beginning books might omit, like using the free Microsoft Script Debugger, and embedding RealPlayer content.

The book is a bit dated, spending quite a bit of time discussing Netscape 4.x, when most NN users have navigated to Firefox by now. It also uses a lot of deprecated HTML, so tweaking is necessary if you want to validate the examples with the W3C Validator.

A feature I liked were the problems at the end of each chapter, with a solution provided in the appendix. Also, it explains every code example *very* thoroughly--maybe even a bit too much at times when the explanations become repetitious. However, the trivia game application it develops over the course of many chapters is too simplistic to provide much of a real world example, and while there is a support website, it doesn’t seem too up to date. I’ve submitted several errors, but have yet to see them posted.

All in all, I’d rate this 3 1/2 stars, but since I can’t do that, I rounded up to 4 stars.

Excellent Book
I learnt Javascript for the first time from this book and the experience is really great.The examples are beneficial to solve real world problems.
Highly recommended for first time Javascript users

Complete and easy to follow
My company had bought one copy of several books on JavaScript and everyone started borrowing Beginning JavaScript. So we bought several more! It is complete, easy to follow - for both beginning programmers and experienced programmers new to JavaScript. We were particularly interested in generating XML files. The ’advanced’ book we bought didn’t cover it, but Beginning JavaScript did. We couldn’t be happier with it!

Spectacular
JavaScript is the first programming language that I have ever attempted to learn. This book is making it so easy for me. Paul Wilton lays it out for you, step by step, explaining in layman’s terms what each line means and any rules of thumb that are relevant to that line. He doesn’t bog you down with detail or obscure exceptions either. I love this book, and I am so lucky to have found it.