After presenting a solid tour of basic programming in JavaScript, the book cente rs in on the issues of developing JavaScript applications for real browsers. Thi s means truly comprehensive coverage of the document object model (DOM), HTML, w indow and frame objects, forms, and style sheets that are available today. In ab out 1,000 pages (and almost 30 chapters), you learn what's available in today's JavaScript standard with a reference listing every object, API, and property, pl us tips on how to use each feature. All this material makes this text an extreme ly worthwhile desktop reference for everyday JavaScript development. In particul ar, we liked that support (or lack thereof) for every feature is clearly documen ted across the full range of today's browsers from Netscape Navigator 2, 3, 4, 5 , and 6 to Internet Explorer 3 through 5.5.
Later chapters move toward the JavaScript language itself, with material on stri ngs, math functions, and dates. The author discusses techniques for adapting Jav aScript to particular browsers as well as providing cross-browser support where appropriate. Short exercises end each chapter, and the book presents sample solu tions in an appendix. Additional CD-ROM chapters move beyond the whopping 1,200 pages of printed material.
In all, the author's patient, clear writing style and real-world advice for crea ting great-looking Web pages with JavaScript make this title a winner. Readers o f previous editions of the JavaScript Bible will appreciate the updated f ocus on current browsers. For anyone who wants to learn JavaScript for the first time, this edition is arguably an unbeatable choice. --Richard Dragan
Topics covered: Introduction to JavaScript and HTML Targeting different browsers (with DHTML, style sheets, and other features) Basic Jav aScript language tutorial (including variables, operators, expressions, flow con trol, forms, and built-in APIs) Script tags Error handling Arrays Window and document objects Form processing with JavaScript Tutorial a nd reference for the String, Math, and Date classes Frames Images (inclu ding rollover support) Comprehensive JavaScript reference ECMAScript Detecting different browsers Document object model (DOM) for Netscape 2 thr ough 6 and IE 3 through 5 Generic HTML objects Window and frame objects Location and history objects Document and body objects Body text obj ects HTML directives Link and anchor objects Image and map objects Form and form control objects Working with buttons and text in HTML forms Select and option elements Table and list objects Netscape Navigato r and environment objects Event objects Style sheet reference Positi oned objects JavaScript operators Functions and custom objects Sampl e programming exercises and answers
