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Bulletproof Web Design : Improving flexibility and protecting against worst-case scenarios with XHTML and CSS

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The JavaScript Anthology : 101 Essential Tips, Tricks & Hacks

Format: Paperback
Author: Cameron Adams
ReleaseDate: 01 February, 2006
Publisher: SitePoint
Rating:

I like it, I like it, I like it....
. OK.. this book is going under lock and key at my work desk. . . The JavaScript Anthology : 101 Essential Tips, Tricks & Hacks by James Edwards and Cameron Adams.

Contents: Getting Started with JavaScript; Working with Numbers; Working with Strings; Working with Arrays; Navigating the Document Object Model; Processing and Validating Forms; Working with Windows and Frames; Working with Cookies; Working with Dates and Times; Working with Images; Detecting Browser Differences; Using JavaScript with CSS; Basic Dynamic HTML; Time and Motion; DHTML Menus and Navigation; JavaScript and Accessibility; Using JavaScript with Flash; Building Web Applications with JavaScript; Object Orientation in JavaScript; Keeping up the Pace; Index

The book is made up just like the title indicates. . . 101 tips and tricks related to JavaScript usage on your web pages. If you have read any of the "Recipe"-type books, you'll recognize the format right away. Each tip is titled appropriately, followed by a solution and discussion. There's also a number of sidebar entries that expand a bit on the concept or explain a "gotcha" that might bite you if you're unaware. The writing style is conversational and direct, with *loads* of examples to look at. It's one of those books that you find yourself spending more time with than you expect, because it's tempting to read the tip that follows the one you were interested in. . .

One of the reasons I probably like this book so much is my weakness for coding samples I can "appropriate". If I'm not completely comfortable with a language (like JavaScript), I often need a quick hint or example that I can see in order to formulate my particular solution. Just reading the raw documentation usually isn't as helpful as seeing something that is close to what I need, and that *works*! As I was going through this book, I saw some tips that immediately addressed a couple of applications I'm working on. I also saw some menuing code that will likely make an appearance in a few more applications.

Bottom line is that I like this book a lot. It's going into my backpack right now for transportation into work, and this one may end up in my drawer rather than my shelf. I want to keep tabs on it.

VERY VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!
Adams and James Edwards, begin by providing an overview of JavaScript's capabilities and limitations, and introduce some core best practices that they'll be using through the rest of the book. Are you involved or interested in building web sites or web applications? If you are, then this book is for you! Authors Cameron Adams and James Edwards, have done an outstanding job of writing a practical book for webmasters who are looking for a copy-and-paste solutions to everyday needs. Then, the authors look at techniques for using and processing numbers in JavaScript. They continue by looking at ways of manipulating strings to find information, storing data, and preparing test for output; as well as, including a thorough introduction to regular expressions in JavaScript. Next, the authors introduce you to one of the most powerful data-storage structures in JavaScript: the array. Then, the authors introduce and explore DOM, and look at how to create and read the data from elements, attributes, and text. Then, they look at reading and writing data from different kinds of form widget, address the tasks of validating and processing form data, and discuss techniques for improving the usability of form-based interfaces. They also take a cautious look at manipulating windows and scripting across frames. Next, the authors introduce cookies and show you how to use them effectively. Then, they show you how to get the date and time in JavaScript, how to compare and process dates and times, and how to output the final data in different formats and conventions. They continue by exploring the basic techniques involved in scripting for images. Next, the authors outline techniques for dealing with different browsers and rendering modes. Then, they look at how to read and write the styles from a single element or group of elements, how to read and write CSS rules to an existing or created style sheet, and how to build a style sheet switcher. The authors also cover event-handling in all its flavors, detecting the position and size of an object, tracking the mouse, and making elements appear and disappear. Next, they look at more complex forms of scripting that use motion and animation. Then, the authors include solutions for the problem of menus overlapping select elements in Windows IE 5 and IE 6. They also provide an overview of the current state of play regarding JavaScript and accessibility. The authors continue by showing you how to detect whether a user has the Flash plugin, and mastering communications between JavaScript and Flash. Next, they delve into the exciting area of online application design, including data retrieved using XMLHttpRequest, as well as the older technique of using iframes. Then, the authors introduce OOP, exploring its core concepts and benefits. Finally, the authors look at everyday techniques for writing faster, more efficient code that's shorter and uses less memory. In this most excellent book, you'll find scripts and discussions that sit on the bleeding edge of current practice. More importantly, you'll find this book a useful and inspirational resource for modern, best practice scripting. .

Well-written, great cookbook
You will use the recipes in your code, particularly the div-based error message dialog, and the menus. The book contains well-written code, with good explanations. Worth the price.