JavaScript & DHTML Cookbook

Ajax in Action

Dynamic HTML: The Definitive Reference (2nd Edition)

JavaScript: The Definitive Guide

Java

JavaScript Bible, Fifth Edition

Format: Paperback
Author: Danny Goodman
ReleaseDate: 19 March, 2004
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons
Rating:

The Definitive Cross-browser Reference, tho' getting a bit out of date
It documents the full functionality of javascript, indicating which functionality works on which browsers, and is the best of its kind, based on the several texts I have considered. This is an exhaustive reference text.

The complete text (plus additional chapters) is on an included CD, which is handy for searching.

The only critique I have is that it is now two years old, and things change. Hence, it documents the Mozilla browser, but no references to Firefox, which is derivative from Mozilla. Would like to see an updated version, or better yet, would like to see the publisher allow owners of the book to access a continuously updated version online.

The discounted price makes it well worth the money, especially with free super saver shipping.

Superb, complete coverage


The writing style is superb - probably the best I've seen in any technical text. Other reviewers have already summarised the book contents, so no point in repeating the message. The content is complete, with lots of good examples which don't interupt the flow of the book. Plus the extra bonus chapters on the CDROM, and a searchable PDF version of the book. Brilliant!

Much better than any of the dreadful O'Reilly books.

A book for everyone and noone
But I'm not so sure about how the author targets his audience. I like this book.

He seems to try to make it available to the casual HTML coder that wants to liven-up his pages; but I don't think this will aid someone who's never coded anything in his life before.

Javascript is the kind of language real programmers hate (and the author makes a point of this!) Nonetheless, it's also a language many like myself have to live with; so I can say this much about it. . .

This book is certainly huge and also quite helpful to someone that knows HTML and needs some interactivity on the client side. You can also just read the first 1/4 of it and keep the rest around to draw from as a reference. It's certainly useful; and the companion CD contains a full PDF of the book so you don't have to lug this heavy tomb between work and back.