Pure JavaScript (2nd Edition)

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Summary: A "Book" of Two Parts
Review: I've got mixed feelings about this book. I bought it as an update to the first edition, and the information between the covers is very useful in itself. However, the information I really need -- the DOM reference -- has been relegated to the CD-ROM. The reason that I buy reference books is so that I don't have to keep toggling between my code and an on-line reference. The DOM material runs to 400 pages - too much for me to print out. Perhaps Sams could have turned the book into a two-volume reference.

Rating:
Summary: Very good reference.
Review: I've owned several JavaScript books, but this is the one I most consistantly use as a reference. I love the dictionary-style refrences to objects and methods.

Rating:
Summary: Eh
Review: It was OK for looking up syntax for client side DHTML, but I was disappointed with the Netscape focus. My coporate intranet was exclusively with IE clients and IIS servers. I would have liked to have seen an additional chapter on IIS and IE object model.

Rating:
Summary: Amazing amount of material, well-indexed for once!
Review: It's terribly hard to find a book that actually provides useful reference, nowadays. Thanks to "desktop publishing" it seems that everyone and their ten-thumbed cousin is putting out a book that reputes itself to be the "definitive" source on a topic. After searching for some time, and finding nothing but frustration, I finally came upon Pure Javascript. Not only does this book have a complete table of contents, it is extensively cross-referenced in the index, and each object, property and method is laid out in an easy-to-read-and-find format. How many times have you wanted to know whether an object was supported by your browser of choice? Or wondered why a method that worked fine in Netscape 3 is now breaking in 4 and higher? Each object, method, and property starts with a description of what scripting language it originates from, and what versions it is supported in. This is not a book for someone with absolutely no experience in Javascript; this is a book for someone that needs to be able to find information at a moment's notice, without having to work through tangled or incomplete descriptions. If you work with Javascript, client-side or server-side, this book is for you.

Rating:
Summary: Amazing amount of material, well-indexed for once!
Review: It's terribly hard to find a book that actually provides useful reference, nowadays. Thanks to "desktop publishing" it seems that everyone and their ten-thumbed cousin is putting out a book that reputes itself to be the "definitive" source on a topic. After searching for some time, and finding nothing but frustration, I finally came upon Pure Javascript. Not only does this book have a complete table of contents, it is extensively cross-referenced in the index, and each object, property and method is laid out in an easy-to-read-and-find format. How many times have you wanted to know whether an object was supported by your browser of choice? Or wondered why a method that worked fine in Netscape 3 is now breaking in 4 and higher? Each object, method, and property starts with a description of what scripting language it originates from, and what versions it is supported in. This is not a book for someone with absolutely no experience in Javascript; this is a book for someone that needs to be able to find information at a moment's notice, without having to work through tangled or incomplete descriptions. If you work with Javascript, client-side or server-side, this book is for you.

Rating:
Summary: The End All Resource for Javascript
Review: Let me start off by saying that this book is not a teaching guide, if you are just starting out then look at some of the self teaching books. This book is a COMPLETE resource for javascript syntax. It has only what you need to finish a script with no nonsense. I use this book so much, I bought 2 copies - one for work and one for home. Anyone serious about javascript programming should end their collection with this book. I can't wait for the second addition!

Rating:
Summary: nice dead-tree compilation
Review: This book is a good reference for those with a decent know-how of Java, Cobol, C, or C++. The best thing about the tome is that it has a neat dictionary styled reference of methods, objects, properties, and not-real-world-enough example code bits. Those who want advanced stuff should refer the CookBook or the Visual QuickStart guides, and of couse beginners are better off with the Thau book or some such.

Rating:
Summary: Good Book
Review: This is a good JavaScript book. It covers IE, Netscape and also Opera. Since I am working on client side scripting and I needed to refer the compatibility issues for browsers, i found this book was very useful. If one knows what exactly they want, they will find this book useful. It has good samples, and covers all controls, methods, properties and events.

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Summary: Best Javascript "Handbook"
Review: This is a handbook or desk reference for developers who already know JavaScript. As such, if you're a developer who regularly (or occasionally) uses JavaScript for client-side and server-side scripting, this book is for you. I've yet to find a better reference for reminding myself of syntax; researching some of the more esoteric objects; and determining which functionality is applicable to a given browser version. What other JavaScript book has 2+ pages on "try-catch" with cogent example code? I finally ordered my own copy yesterday after dog-earring my co-worker's copy.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent Reference
Review: This is the best javascript reference book I've seen. I haven't been able to find a better reference in print or on-line. This isn't a wordy how-to instructional book, so it's probably not for novice programmers. If you understand the basics of programming and objects you should be good-to-go with this book. Great reference for cross-browser compatibility.