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Head First JavaScript (Head First)

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So you're ready to make the leap from writing HTML and CSS web pages to creating dynamic web applications. You want to take your web skills to the next level. And you're finally ready to add "programmer" to the resume. It sounds like you're ready to learn the Web's hottest programming language: JavaScript. Head First JavaScript is your ticket to going beyond copying and pasting the code from someone else's web site, and writing your own interactive web pages.

With Head First JavaScript, you learn:

The basics of programming, from variables to types to looping

How the web browser runs your code, and how you can talk to the browser with your code

Why you'll never have to worry about casting, overloading, or polymorphism when you're writing JavaScript code

How to use the Document Object Model to change your web pages without making your users click buttons

If you've ever read a Head First book, you know what to expect -- a visually rich format designed for the way your brain works. Head First JavaScript is no exception. It starts where HTML and CSS leave off, and takes you through your first program into more complex programming concepts -- like working directly with the web browser's object model and writing code that works on all modern browsers.

Don't be intimidated if you've never written a line of code before! In typical Head First style, Head First JavaScript doesn't skip steps, and we're not interested in having you cut and paste code. You'll learn JavaScript, understand it, and have a blast along the way. So get ready... dynamic and exciting web pages are just pages away.

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Product Details

Author:	Michael Morrison
Paperback:	650 pages
Publisher:	O'Reilly Media, Inc.
Publication Date:	January 11, 2008
ISBN:	0596527748
Package Length:	9.2 inches
Package Width:	8.1 inches
Package Height:	1.5 inches
Package Weight:	2.8 pounds
Average Customer Rating:	based on 27 reviews

Customer Reviews

Average Customer Review: 4.0

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Another bullseye from HeadFirst! Sep 01, 2008
Web development is not my primary job so I was looking for something to give me a better understanding of JavaScript without too great an investment of time and money. This book is it! Amazing detail but incredibly easy to follow. The book is simple to scan for overviews of each chapter, which lets users with some background skip what they are already familiar with and jump into sections they want. If you are new to HeadFirst, you are in for a treat. The books build knowledge concept by concept with lots of illustrations and practice to develop increasing skill and then become favored reference sources. My only complaint is that the middle pages come loose from the binding with a lot of use. All in all, I think new and novice users will be thrilled with this book. I can't wait for the HeadFirst book on PHP and MySQL:)

Need more how to and less humor Aug 28, 2008
This book tried too hard to be funny. I wanted more in depth how to and less humor. I am a beginner so I thought this book would do the job but I could only do the examples they gave. I didn't have enough information to improvise after doing an example.

I think a better book is JavaScript Goodies...

2 of 3 found the following review helpful:

An Average book Aug 21, 2008
After contemplating which Javascript book to get, I decided on HFJS. I read the Head First HTML book and it was great therefore I thought HFJS would be the same. I was wrong. Unlike the HTML book where things are explained from beginning to end, the HFJS is the opposite. Granted I am a real beginner to Javascript and the first few pages were fine. But after reading into it more, things are not explained thoroughly until the end of the book. After 250 pages I just gave up because I wasnt understanding it. It is a good book but not for beginners like me. Hopefully the next edition, they will explain things in the beginning more throughly.

0 of 1 found the following review helpful:

Frustratingly backwards Aug 15, 2008
I liked the Headfirst HTML/XHTML/CSS book, but I found this one poorly organized and discouraging. The exercises frequently required knowledge of concepts that had not yet been introduced. And I found the extended examples used in the book (such as an unrealistic and complicated movie theatre "seat finding" dealeo) unnecessarily confusing.

After starting it several times and struggling through 300 or so pages I broke down and bought The Book of Javascript (2nd ed) by David Thau. I'm much happier: good clear explanations from the getgo, and a focus on javascript as actually used in the world.

3 of 4 found the following review helpful:

Compared to Head First HTML, a BIG disappointment Jul 21, 2008
Short version: Very disappointed by Head First JavaScript ("HFJS"). Loved Head First HTML/XHTML/CSS ("HFHTML"), felt like I retained everything from it immediately, but couldn't figure out why the info in HFJS wasn't sinking in. Turned to web tutorials (better), and finally changed to Simply JavaScript(Sitepoint), a much more clearly written and explained book.

Long version: Less than a month ago, I knew very little about web design, much less any sort of programming. I'd tried to teach myself HTML from a rather dry text perhaps ten years ago, but nothing stuck. But I had a desire to give it another go, and set about finding another HTML book. I settled on HFHTML -- while it took many more pages to explain concepts which other books treated succinctly, the writing was much better in the Head First volume and I guessed I'd retain more from it.

It turned out to be a fantastic purchase, I devoured the book and within a week or so became proficient enough at HTML and CSS to code some complex site layouts. Since my latest site required dynamic behavior, JavaScript seemed like the logical next step. Given my positive experience (almost miraculous) with the HFHTML book, my first choice for a JavaScript book was HFJS. The many positive reviews on Amazon reinforced my decision.

When it arrived, I eagerly began from the beginning, skipping nothing (just as I'd done w/HFHTML). Did the quizzes, the crosswords, but from the beginning, things were a little off. In HFHTML, the authors show you where and how to introduce new code in your example pages, but in HFJS, it wasn't even clear whether you were supposed to be coding along, or merely just reading the book's examples. And while HFHTML proceeded very logically from basic to more advanced concepts, HFJS appeared to be veering all over the place. I persisted for 250 pages, but had to admit to myself that none of it was sinking in.

I turned to some web tutorials (better), and finally, purchased Simply Javascript (Sitepoint). While it is not a perfect book, either, I think it explains JavaScript more clearly than HFJS, and is better about starting the beginner off with good coding habits, such as keeping JavaScript code in separate files, rather than in the header of the HTML document (something which HFJS doesn't do). It also cuts to the chase of what most aspiring web designers want to use JavaScript for, which is dynamically modifying the content of pages via the Document Object Model ("DOM").

To be fair to the HFJS author, JavaScript is a SIGNIFICANTLY harder language to learn than HTML or CSS. And HFJS does a good job introducing and explaining the types of JavaScript data (e.g., text, boolean, number). But HFJS overall was a disappointment, and doesn't live up to the high standards set with HFHTML.