JavaScript Pocket Reference (Pocket Reference (O'Reilly)) eBook: David Flanagan: Amazon.co.uk: Kindle Store

Amazon.co.uk Review

At 4.5 by 7 inches in size and only 89 pages long, the aptly named JavaScript Pocket Reference will really almost fit in your pocket. Use this guide as a companion to turn to when in doubt about that function syntax or on drawing a blank on the JavaScript object model.

The book concisely packs together the syntax of the scripting language, including summaries of expression and statement style. The real meat of the tiny title is an alphabetical listing of JavaScript objects, along with their associated methods, properties and events. One nice feature of this section is the attention to the varying support between Microsoft and Netscape browser versions. However, this listing is useful only if you know what object you want to work with. Missing from the reference is a solutions-based reference to let you refresh your memory about how to do a particular task, such as validate a form field or roll over a graphic when the user moves the mouse.

One drawback is the book's illustration of the object model--done only in a small diagram. This is a bit of a shame since this is one of the key topics most developers need help with. If you are rather familiar with JavaScript, this pocket reference will be helpful. New coders, however, will likely find it insufficient. --Stephen W. Plain

Product Description

JavaScript--the powerful, object-based scripting language that can be embedded directly into HTML pages--has earned its place in the web developer's toolkit, to the extent that it's now considered required knowledge for web developers. You can use JavaScript to create dynamic, interactive applications that run completely within a web browser. JavaScript is also the language of choice for developing Dynamic HTML content. Because its syntax is based on the popular programming languages C, C++, and Java, JavaScript is familiar and easy to learn for experienced programmers. At the same time, it's an interpreted scripting language, providing a flexible, forgiving programming environment for new programmers.

The JavaScript Pocket Reference, 2nd Edition, provides a complete overview of the core JavaScript language and client-side scripting environment, as well as quick-reference material on core and client-side objects, methods, and properties. The new edition has been revised to cover JavaScript 1.5, and is particularly useful for developers working with the standards-compliant web browsers, such as Internet Explorer 6, Netscape 7, and Mozilla. Ideal as an introduction for beginners and a quick reference for advanced developers, this pocket-sized book is easy to take anywhere and serves as the perfect companion volume to the bestselling JavaScript: The Definitive Guide, 4th Edition.

O'Reilly's Pocket References have become a favorite among developers everywhere. By providing a wealth of important details in a concise, well-organized format, these handy books deliver just what you need to complete the task at hand. When you've reached a sticking point and need to get to the answer quickly, the new JavaScript Pocket Reference is the book you'll want close at hand.

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12 of 12 people found the following review helpful

A brilliant pocket reference 19 Feb 2002

By A Customer

Format:Paperback

Since most Javascript programmers will be of the occasional kind, it is easy to forget the basic syntax and case requireed. This concise book will remind you in a flash. There is a useful section at the front which states the syntax rules of Javascript, operator use, basic structures, etc, then an alphabetical (in order of HTML Client-side Object Hierarchy) listing of objects with their methods, functions, properties and events.

For any web page desigenr this will soon become a well-thumbed book!

When reading the negative comments on this page, note that this is not a book to learn from... (Try *Javascript Bible*) ...neither is it one to teach an experinced Javascript programmer new tricks. This is reference only (note that O'Reilly's Dfinitive Guide is a reference book that will also teach you new things and it perhaps what those disapointed with this book should have turned to first.

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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

Delivers exactly what it says on the cover 25 Aug 2000

By David O'Connell

This boook calls itself a 'pocket reference', and that's exactly what it is; if you need a guide to explain how you can use JavaScript, then look elsewhere. But if you want a book where you can look up a tag quickly, then this is a great one to have to hand - but you will need to know what you're doing to get the most from it.

JavaScript in a little book. Cheap, smart and concise. 4 Aug 2000

I was already using JavaScript when I bought this book (probably not the one for beginners...) as I was having trouble remembering different objects and switches. They're all in here - with all possible syntaxes and variations. It fits in pocket, and if I didn't have any self-control, it would probably go with me everywhere!