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Cover of JavaScript: The Definitive Guide

JavaScript: The Definitive Guide

Written by David Flanagan

4.054 ratings

1,022 pages, about 20 hours of reading

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About this book

This Fifth Edition is completely revised and expanded to cover JavaScript as it is used in today's Web 2.0 applications. This book is both an example-driven programmer's guide and a keep-on-your-desk reference, with new chapters that explain everything you need to know to get the most out of JavaScript, including: Scripted HTTP and Ajax XML processing Client-side graphics using the canvas tag Namespaces in JavaScript--essential when writing complex programs Classes, closures, persistence, Flash, and JavaScript embedded in Java applications Part I explains the core JavaScript language in detail. If you are new to JavaScript, it will teach you the language. If you are already a JavaScript programmer, Part I will sharpen your skills and deepen your understanding of the language. Part II explains the scripting environment provided by web browsers, with a focus on DOM scripting with unobtrusive JavaScript. The broad and deep coverage of client-side JavaScript is illustrated with many sophisticated examples that demonstrate how to: Generate a table of contents for an HTML document Display DHTML animations Automate form validation Draw dynamic pie charts Make HTML elements draggable Define keyboard shortcuts for web applications Create Ajax-enabled tool tips Use XPath and XSLT on XML documents loaded with Ajax And much more Part III is a complete reference for core JavaScript. It documents every class, object, constructor, method, function, property, and constant defined by JavaScript 1.5 and ECMAScript Version 3. Part IV is a reference for client-side JavaScript, covering legacy web browser APIs, the standard Level 2 DOM API, and emerging standards such as the XMLHttpRequest object and the canvas tag. More than 300,000 JavaScript programmers around the world have madethis their indispensable reference book for building JavaScript applications. "A must-have reference for expert JavaScript programmers...well-organized and detailed." -- Brendan Eich, creator of JavaScript

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Reading guide

Themes, characters and key ideas in JavaScript: The Definitive Guide, written by Chaptra AI.

  • about 8 hours
  • intermediate
  • Instructive
  • Comprehensive
  • Authoritative

David Flanagan's 'JavaScript: The Definitive Guide' (Fifth Edition) stands as a monumental and indispensable resource for JavaScript programmers, serving as both a comprehensive programmer's guide and an authoritative desk reference. Spanning over a thousand pages, it meticulously covers the core JavaScript language, modern Web 2.0 application development including Ajax and DOM scripting, and offers an exhaustive reference for both core and client-side APIs. It aims to teach newcomers the language while sharpening the skills and deepening the understanding of experienced developers, cementing its reputation as the 'bible' for JavaScript.

JavaScript is an object-oriented scripting language.

Key themes

Prototypal Inheritance and Object Orientation
This theme explores JavaScript's unique approach to object-oriented programming through prototypes, contrasting it with class-based inheritance in other languages. Flanagan meticulously details how objects inherit properties and methods, how constructor functions work, and the role of the prototype chain. Understanding this concept is presented as crucial for truly mastering JavaScript's core mechanics and designing flexible, reusable code.
Asynchronous Programming and Web Interactivity
The book extensively covers the paradigm of asynchronous programming, which is fundamental to creating responsive and dynamic web applications. This includes in-depth discussions of event handling, timers (`setTimeout`, `setInterval`), and most notably, the XMLHttpRequest object for Ajax. This theme emphasizes how JavaScript enables rich user experiences by performing operations in the background without blocking the main thread, a cornerstone of Web 2.0.
DOM Manipulation and Unobtrusive JavaScript
This theme focuses on how JavaScript interacts with and modifies the structure, content, and style of HTML documents via the Document Object Model (DOM). The book promotes 'unobtrusive JavaScript,' advocating for the separation of concerns (HTML for structure, CSS for presentation, JavaScript for behavior) to create more maintainable, accessible, and performant web applications. It covers various DOM APIs, from legacy methods to the W3C standard DOM Level 2.

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