JavaScript and DHTML Cookbook

I am an ASP.NET developer, and I have never been too crazy about JavaScript. It is much too slow to develop, it is finicky to debug, and maintenance is just ridiculous. That is exactly why I love this book. It shows me exactly what I need to know to add some VERY sophisticated client-side pizzazz to my applications. Unlike most programming books, you don't have to read half the book to understand the advanced concepts. Each "recipe" has a more-than-adequate supporting explanation. For the past FOUR YEARS, I have consulted this book above all other JavaScript references. And now with ASP.NET AJAX released, it is more helpful than ever...easily giving you the edge over other .NET developers that live in a "code-behind-only" world. It is well worth the price.

[Updated review of the 2nd edition - 05/15/2008] Even after programming for all these years, I *still* like to see examples of a new (or old) technique before I try and code it. That's why I like JavaScript & DHTML Cookbook by Danny Goodman. From simple JavaScript statements to complex web page parsing, Goodman shows you working code while also explaining how it works. Table of Contents: 1. Strings 2. Numbers and Dates 3. Arrays and Objects 4. Variables, Functions, and Flow Control 5. Browser Feature Detection 6. Managing Browser Windows 7. Managing Multiple Frames 8. Dynamic Forms 9. Managing Events 10. Page Navigation Techniques 11. Managing Style Sheets 12. Visual Effects for Stationary Content 13. Positioning HTML Elements 14. Creating Dynamic Content 15. Dynamic Content Applications Appendix A: Keyboard Event Character Values Appendix B: Keyboard Key Code Values Appendix C: ECMAScript Reserved Keywords Index Since JavaScript is not a language I use on a daily basis (unlike LotusScript where I live and breathe), my mind doesn't automatically start writing code when someone asks for a feature in one of my Domino Web apps. In fact, I'm usually in a position of not knowing what I don't know. It's like trying to look up a word in the dictionary when you don't know how to spell it; it makes it really difficult. This is where I value Goodman's cookbook approach to JavaScript. Rather than focus on all the methods and properties of a JavaScript object, he lists things by activity, such as converting between Unicode values and String characters or auto-tabbing for fixed-length text boxes. You find the "recipe" that most closely resembles what you need to do. Within the recipe, you'll find a short description of the problem, followed by the solution (with code), a discussion of the answer, and any cross-references to other recipes that are similar in nature. The discussion is valuable, as it covers the pros and cons of the approach, as well as alternative techniques that would also be of interest. The range of topics will satisfy both JavaScript newbies as well as the veterans. You could be looking for examples of simple field validation code. It's not easy if you've never done it before. If you're more into parsing XML files to build a dynamic page or using web services within JavaScript, the latter chapters will give you what you need. And regardless of what level you're at, periodic perusal of the Table of Contents can trigger ideas that may solve that vexing issue you ran across just the other day. Don't expect this book to be a comprehensive tutorial or reference on JavaScript; it isn't, nor was it meant to be. But if you're looking for commentary on features and working code, this is the perfect choice. The JavaScript & DHTML Cookbook has a guarded position on my bookshelf at work.

The JavaScript & DHTML Cookbook is about using javascript and css to create dynamic user interfaces for your web application. Each "recipe" starts with a statement of the problem. This is followed by the solution, which includes the code to make it run. After the solution section, a discussion section follows. The discussion section includes explanations of why the code works and various alternatives.The book is broken up into chapters and each chapter consists of recipes that relate to the main topic of the chapter. For every chapter, there is an introduction, which is a very good summary of the DHTML topic. Just reading the chapter introductions would give a high level overview of DHTML.The recipes are practical solutions for problems that a developer could actually encounter. There are not flashy recipes that are useless. The recipes consist of simple solutions to complex solutions to application problems. The book could be used as a reference to solve a particular problem that you have or the book could be read, especially the discussion sections, to understand how to solve problems with DHTML. The only drawback to using the code for a recipe is that some recipe built on top on other recipes and you need to find the previous recipe.In summary, I would recommend this book for any client-side web developer.

Danny Goodman is the author of "JavaScript Bible", probably the most popular book on JavaScript as it went through 5 editions, the last one being the Gold edition published in 2001. I have used JavaScript Bible extensively and intensively, often longing for a cross-index of recipes for solving problems. This new book by the author addresses that need in the form of a cookbook, one carefully written and eminently readable. Not only does he give clear recipes, he also discusses some history and background, lists which browser version is required, both for Netscape and Internet Explorer, then weighs the pros and cons of different approaches. The recipes range from the mundane, like opening a window, to the more esoteric for positioning page elements or creating dynamic contents. Even if one does not plan to use a recipe, it is still enlightening to see how JavaScript or some feature of it is brought to bear on solving a particular problem. Most cookbooks assume you already know the subject quite well, then launch on intricate discussions often discouraging to neophytes. Here, the way Danny Goodman writes, the clarity of his style, and the completeness of his coverage, make this book well suited to every reader level. If your JavaScript knowledge is only nascent, you will be enlightened with this book. If you are a JavaScript "expert", be surprised that you will still learn many new techniques.