It’s time for a current, definitive JavaScript book, and in this comprehensive beginner’s guide, bestselling author Larry Ullman teaches the language as it is implemented today. Larry demonstrates how to build upon JavaScript’s ease of use, while demystifying its often-cryptic syntax, especially for those who have not programmed before. This book enforces modern JavaScript’s best practices and embraces key Web development approaches such as progressive enhancement and unobtrusive scripting. The author demonstrates loads of real-world code and makes it available for download.
You’ll learn about JavaScript itself and the relationship between JavaScript and HTML. Next you’ll explore variables, common operators, and control structures. Then you’ll create functions, handle events, and do more with HTML forms. You’ll master Ajax, work with frameworks, and use JavaScript with PHP to create a complete example. The result is a book that helps you not just tinker with JavaScript but to thoroughly comprehend it.
This book includes:
- Easy step-by-step instruction, ample illustrations, and clear examples
- Real-world techniques to build your skills
- Insight into best practices from a veteran Web expert
- Emphasis on strategies for creating reliable code that will work on all of today’s browsers and devices, even those without JavaScript
Table of Contents:
Introduction
About This Book
What You'll Need
About the Author
Getting Support
Part 1: Getting Started
Chapter 1: (Re-)Introducing JavaScript
What is JavaScript?
JavaScript Versions and Browser Support
JavaScript Programming Goals
Chapter 2: JavaScript in Action
Choosing a DOCTYPE
Introducing HTML5
Embedding JavaScript in HTML
JavaScript Approaches
Cobbling Together Some Code
A Framework Approach
Steal This JavaScript
Chapter 3: Tools of the Trade
The Great Debate: Text Editors vs. IDEs
The Browser: Your Friend, Your Enemy
Executing JavaScript
Debugging Fundamentals
Online Resources
Part 2: JavaScript Fundamentals
Chapter 4: Simple Variable Types
Basic Variable Syntax
Common Operators
Working with Numbers
Working with Strings
Other Simple Types
Performing Type Conversions
Generating Dates and Times
Chapter 5: Using Control Structures
Conditionals
What is true?
Logical Operators
Comparison Operators
Preventing Bugs
Performing Iterations
Chapter 6: Complex Variable Types
Working with Arrays
Working with Objects
Arrays as Objects
Comparing Types
Chapter 7: Creating Functions
Defining Your Own Functions
Passing Values to Functions
Returning Values from Functions
Understanding Variable Scope
Anonymous Functions
Nested Functions
Functions Acting as Classes
Function Prototypes
Nested Functions
Chapter 8: Event Handling
Event Phases
Browser Events
Keyboard Events
Input Device Events
Accessible Events
Assigning Event Handlers
Creating an Event Assigner
Referencing the Event
Preventing Default Event Behavior
Chapter 9: JavaScript and the Browser
DOM Manipulation
JavaScript and CSS
Alerts and Prompts
The Window
Chapter 10: Working with Forms
Handling Form Submissions
Form Validation
Using Regular Expressions
Handling File Uploads
Chapter 11: Ajax
Understanding Ajax
Providing Dynamic Content
Form Validation
Ajax Performance Tips
Working with Other Data
Chapter 12: Error Management
Simple Debugging Errors
Handling Problems Gracefully
Creating Informative Errors
Creating Useful Errors
Throwing Exceptions
Part 3: Next Steps
Chapter 13: Frameworks
Choosing a Framework
Introducing jQuery
Introducing ExtJS
Introducing YUI
Chapter 14: Advanced JavaScript
Unit Testing
Profiling
Closures
Prototypes
Namespaces
Minifying
Chapter 15: Putting It All Together
