Professional JavaScript with DHTML, ASP, CGI, FESI, Netscape Enterprise Server, Windows Script Host, LiveConnect and Java
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Spotlight Customer Reviews
Average Customer Rating: 3.31Customer Rating: 5
Summary: Enormous¿ Accurate, insightful and specific
Comment: I am your typical Web architect. Not really a pro, but knowledgeable enough to make me one of the best people in my company to work with consultants and do a certain amount of pre-visualization and early prototyping.
My project is to get an Intranet/Extranet completed using either Microsoft or alternative products. I have to research and oversee (with others) implementation of both visual design and user functionality, for client (Intranet and Extranet clients) and server ends (including administrative tools).
I know the tools I "want" to use and the strategy I want to take, but I need some hard facts and intermediate to advanced descriptions of implementations.
This book has what I need.
Facts. Loads of example scripts. Analysis of using Java and Javascript. Analysis of extending application functionality through standalone script interpreters. Security issues. Client issues (for all relevant browsers) Server issues (for all relevant servers).
Awesome. Definitely the fruit of an enormous (there's that word again) amount of expertise and trial and error development.
If you have a little bit of knowledge about Web technologies (graphics, databases, servers, browsers and plug-ins), and have some familiarity with programming principles (best if you've taken a programming course or studied on your own for a few months) this book will be the glue that ties it all together for you.
Part reference guide, part bible, and all relevant.
Customer Rating: 5
Summary: Superb second book on Javascript
Comment: I started learning Javascript with the O'Reilly book 'Javascript' (the one with the rhino). It was a good intro, but left me hungry for more.
Enter 'Professional Javascript' from Wrox. From the sample chapter at www.wrox.com I knew this was going to be a great book. I definately helps to be already familiar with Javascript. The basics and syntax are covered in a single chapter. The authors reveal huge amounts of information in a tight, well-constructed format that enlightened me in a very efficient manner. I cannot believe how much I've learnt from this book.
The best thing about this book is that they don't consider Javascript to be a 'toy' suitable only for building flash into web pages. This attitude is best expressed in the chapters on browser configuration using Javascripts and server-side Javascript.
The only criticisms I have are the poor reference section (what's the point of telling me the String object has a substr method if you don't also tell me the parameters?) and the constant references to 'magic' processes -- that's condescending.
The O'Reilly book 'Javascript' has an excellent reference section. The Wrox guys should really take a look at it.
However, I'm prepared to overlook these minor flaws. This isn't a reference book -- it's a darn good technical manual with succinct examples and a good balance between praise and criticism of the major browsers.
If you want to take Javascript beyond flashy animations and build real applications you need this book.
Customer Rating: 3
Summary: Needs Improvement
Comment: And yes, another WROX. No formal organization, no definte goal, but a whole bunch of high class authors. The result: an excellent book if you're looking for examples of that little twist of class, a dash of luster code.
There are excellent case studies that make this a good addition to your bookshelf and there are valuable hints scattered everywhere: but the total lack of organization and tutorial direction leaves the book like a box full of sharp tools hidden in a dusty attic.
There is no attempt to teach Javascript (perhaps Paul Wilton's excellent Beginner Javascript is intended for that). The section on Good coding Practice is laughable: why does a book entitled *Profesional" Javascript have 2 chapters on programming practices? The Core javascript section is just a bare scratch on the surface of language itself and does not do Javascript any justice. The Jscript.Net seems to have been thrown in as an after thought.
I like WROX for the "from the field" examples for which they are famous: and I found the case studies ( a third of the book) very interesting. However, sorry, Wrox, it's not worth paying that much for just the last chapters. I'll wait till it hits my library or wait for the 3rd edition.