JavaScript: The Definitive Guide

I thought I had kept up with things since the last version. This book clued me in to new, simpler techniques becoming practical solutions only now - now that IE7 is so clearly on the way out. Much of the book was re-written. There were a few issues that remained a bit elusive after reading the previous version (V5) and V6 cleared them up for me. After studying chapter 15 on scripting documents, I stopped the press and made a number of important updates to my utilities file - streamlining functions that heavily supported IE 7. I changed a number of my websites to no longer support IE7 - this book gave me the information and courage to do so (the author did not suggest such a move, but it only made sense to me after getting myself up-to-snuff on the modern DOM). My code is now faster and leaner and much much much easier to follow (and debug if ever necessary) by using up-to-date basic dom methodologies such as: A. Element.prototype to add some important/simple dom navigation methods to all elements (next(), previous() ..) B. cssClass property to more easily, efficiently, and accurately deal with element classes (whereas I had a lot of code to do these functions and avoid RegExp for efficiency, now my methods simply pass cssClass with a simple RegExp as a fallback for IE8/9 which don't support cssClass. My perspective now is to NOT provide robust fallback for old IE, but only minimal anticipating users will make the jump from IE8 directly to IE 10/11 when their old PCs finally crap out (for those who use IE). C. use of "data-" element attributes, which allow HTML to validate. I used to wrestle with confusing multiple classes to pass data so my html would validate - or I'd write special server / js scripts to attach data to elements as JS objects after the page loaded. These examples aren't particularly the new sexy HTML5 initiatives, but without this book it might have taken me years to learn of them and to understand them enough to actually put them into play. And by the way, the book does a good job explaining the many HTML 5 initiatives - but I would first scan the pages to see if they were practical for my use and whether they were widely supported. But it's the small, detailed, practical things used in work-a-day scripting that makes this book so important to me. I can't say this is a book for beginners only because of its length (1000+ pages) - but after learning JS on my own I wish I had read V5 of this book first as the others I read were all either somewhat outdated or too skimpy in important areas. This is really the only one that I read that goes into detail on the practical application of JS in client side scripting. It's the only JS book I use a reference. My only criticism is that the book includes an entire chapter on jQuery (65 pages). I don't see the need for re-learning jQuery given browsers are moving along nicely toward standards compliance anyway. But the book would still weigh almost as much without the jQuery chapter.

Keep in mind I'm writing this review and I'm only 70 pages into this monster (plus some random skimming) This book seems to be highly recommended by all the big and well known names in JS Development. Having worked through a few substandard JS books (which there seems to be plenty of), I decided to spring for it. I'm blown away with how comprehensive this thing is. I wish all my college textbooks were up to this standard. It's true that this isn't for someone new to programming, or even someone new to JavaScript. [I found "Eloquent Javascript" (which is a free online book) to be a good starter book. I say this after having looked at the head start book (complete rubbish) and Wrox's Beginning JavaScript (crap).] Anyway,it's dense and not something you're going to get through fast. I'm taking the approach my Calculus Professor recommended for 'reading a math text'. You read a math text with a pencil and paper. When presented with a proof you should work through it step by step with pencil and paper so that you can see the logic behind it, then try it out with some examples. Well, instead of pencil and paper I have my laptop next to me with the cloud9 IDE up (a great and simple browser based editor I'm growing fond of). As each new concept (at least, each concept that is new to me) is presented I try it out on the editor and print the output to the console. As I work through it and grasp what it does I "poke it with a stick" by trying some different things with it. I already feel like I have a better grasp of the basics then I ever did with my previous experiences. I'm sure this book isn't perfect...I don't think that's possible in the world of technology books. But it's substantially higher quality than many I've read including $180 college texts.

As the subtitle indicates, this work is definitive. Be prepared to find yourself sinking or swimming right from the start, as the material gets technical from page viii and never looks back. Be advised: Flanagan is not a flowery, anecdotal writer. But he appears to be thorough. Stick with it. The payoff is enormous, as obscure concepts (for a newbie like me) discussed in the first hundred pages or so are clarified satisfactorily later on. This is not only a book about JavaScript, but also a commentary on how programming (and its language component) as a concept has evolved in reaction and relation to the internet. Coming from a Visual Basic, standalone executable perspective, I found this approach very helpful in augmenting my knowledge base. Programming fundamentals from a JavaScript perspective are carefully explained, although some patience may be required from the reader, especially if they have little or no exposure to the C-family language. Again, stick with it; Flanagan delivers on that subtitle. And despite the claim that JavaScript, by its nature, might forever defy a true reference, there's one in here, and that was one of the reasons I decided to buy this book. In fact, there are several references inside, covering both client-side and server-side JavaScript components. Very handy. There's even a chapter on jQuery, comprehensive enough to be its own book (see: jQuery, the Pocket Reference, also by Flanagan). Occasionally I struggle with some of the material presented, but I'm guessing that's because of my lack of exposure to anything C++, rather than the author's approach/delivery. In fact, Flanagan seems to anticipate a little struggling with concepts, and frequently (enough) slows the pace down so that dinosaurs like me can stay caught up, focused, and moving forward. This might be a 5-starred book, but since I haven't finished it in the 30 days since purchase, it gets stuck with 4 stars for now. Nonetheless, one might ask: is David Flanagan the NEW Danny Goodman?? BUY RECOMMENDATION

I simply wanted to say how much David's book has meant to my learning and understanding of Javascript, and programming in general. I had initially tried learning through many free sources online, and while most were very good in tackling specific issues or illustrating solutions to esoteric problems, none gave me the confidence that I was getting a solid foundation in the language, or programming in general. In search of something better, I looked to stackoverflow which constantly recommended David's book. To be honest, I pirated it first. But after the first 3 chapters I went straight to Amazon and bought it, as well as Javascript Patters from Stoyan and Douglas's Crockford book Javascript: the good parts (another big hit on the stackoverflow forums). I was dumbfounded at how easy and clear his book made the language. For the first time, ideas were presented in a logical order, with concepts obviously introduced to build on previous ones. Concepts I've been told are essential (hoisting, closures, etc) but were intimidating because I'd never seen them in a cohesive narrative, shocked me in how intuitive they actually were when written well and paired with succinct examples. I know this all seems overzealous enough to border on the insincere, but for someone who always had a passion for technology and wanted to create his own, but was beginning to be deterred from it all because I thought it was simply above my grasp, I want to say thank you to David and O'Reilly. They very may well have single-handedly created a new developer, and have dramatically changed my life in the process. Thanks again.

Having read at least over 100 web/internet-related books over the last 15 years (cover-to-cover) I have to say that this book is unmatched in its category, as a complete reference, a definitive guide. Yes, there are other books that perhaps have an easier reading style, but they don't cover the depth and breadth that David Flanagan has accomplished. The author takes painful efforts to test and re-test browsers, operating systems, sub-versions, engines. He does this in order to provide accurate real-world documentation as to what is out there. He does not regurgitate nor does he re-phrase exiting documentation (I am astonished at how many books have been created that are a re-phrasing of existing documentation using talkative or other styles. Yes, they help those who are looking to learn -- but a complete reference? I don't think so.) There are so many nuances to javascript programming and the author has done a brilliant job of passing those along. The examples are usually short and simple and to the point. And of course, there are few areas that could use a little improvement. As an example, the opening to "Functions" is a little disheveled and could use a slower approach with smaller examples. This book has no fluff. It's 1100 pages of pure, clean reference, pitfalls, strategies, and relative examples.

I've had an edition of the "rhino book" within reach since 1997. In fact, it's the only javascript book I've kept and continue to reference. It's a must-have for any web developer and these days those that are using javascript off the browser as well. It covers pretty much everything you could need to know and then some. Some reviews had made complaints about it covering too much, for instance indicating things that don't work in older browsers or showing possible polyfills for missing es5 functionality. It's true that it provides a lot of depth that some may find superfluous, but personally I find this valuable as it gives me greater insights into the functioning of the language for making more informed decisions and believe it or not there are still some large client's out there that can't seem to upgrade past IE7 (ehem, you know who you are!). There are plenty of other books out there that will happily serve those wanting a concise jump-start but one will keep coming back to this book over and over.

I definitely recommend this book, hands down. I've had the privilege of having this book since the first edition, and let me tell you, it is worth every penny! The book starts off by giving you a basic run down on the scripting language and than into the semantics of the language. Please bear in mind, this book than goes into integrating JavaScript and scripting CSS, to jQuery to AJAX calls. If you don't have a background in JavaScript and how it interacts with the web browser, this book may be a tough sell to you. But if you are versed in how the web browser interacts with JavaScript, than this book is a must have! A good selling point about this book is that it has an in-depth reference. I can not stress how this book pulled me out of a jam because I couldn't remember function/method calls. My suggestion if you do not have the fundamentals of browser scripting: Understand how JavaScript and web browser interact Learn how JavaScript treats object simulation and web browser objects Learn how JavaScript and CSS interact

I spent one month finishing reading this book. I would say I feel so good after reading it and have more confidence in talking about Javascript as a programming language (not as a tool). Before this book, I also read "Beginning to Javascript", so I had certain preparation to read this heavy-content book. "Beginning to Javascript" teaches me to use JavaScript as a tool and I can quickly building something in JS after reading it. But this book is different, it fulfills my needs to learn and know JavaScript as a programming language that worths certain respect. If you think that this book is full of theory but no practice so it does not worth a read, I have nothing to say as different programmer learn to program and know about programming languages in different ways. This book is for those who want to know more about JavaScript and get inspired.

The best example source of the Javascript Language. Awesome book

This is one of the best JavaScript book. Amazon service is really good.

After having learned JavaScript, i can do some cool stuff on a website and can class myself as a good JavaScript developer. But there are core theories about the language that need to be understood if one wants to fully master the language in all its facets. That's why i went for this book. I love JavaScript and wanted to go beyond the basics and really know everything i needed to know, and not just be able to hack stuff. The definitive guide is comprehensive and was the obvious choice. I can say that on reading it (i haven't read it from cover to cover, nor do i think that's how its meant to be studied, unless you are completely new to the language), i was happy with the content and the aha moments. Things i could do in JavaScript but not fully understand why are explained thoroughly. I think every developer serious about learning JavaScript should have this as a reference beside their computer at home :-)) Excellent book, definitely 5 stars without a shadow of a doubt.

This is probably the most comprehensive guide that you can have if you are immersed in Javascript programming. Sites like StackExchange help a great deal find answers but if you want to need to fully understand language.

JavaScript is, as of now, one of the most ubiquitous programming languages. With great diffusion, comes the price of great number of people scripting with it. This often leads to code that is everything but GOOD code. Tis book addresses the problem by giving an excellent overview of JavaScript as a whole, and of almost any fine detail of the JavaScript language, together with a description of some other libraries (jQuery, for once) and server-side uses (Rhino and Node.js) that are most used. A true pearl, that gives profound insight for an actually not-so-well understood language, displaying strengths and weaknesses, with a plethora of examples, both trivial and complex.