Very comprehensive and useful
This is really a bible-level handbook of javascript. The contents are very comprehensive and look professional. The best thing is that the examples in each chapter really help understand the boring syntax and functions.
Loaded with info, but turns too complicated after a while
I understand that when it comes to javascript, there is a lot of history that needs to be taken into consideration. Browser differences and compatability, etc. are things no javascripter should ignore. However, this book, in my opinion, makes it overly complicated by trying to touch on every little twist there was in the history of javascript.
At first, this book taught me a lot, but it started to get tiring when I'd learn a certain technique only to find out it was kind of out-dated or not the best way to achieve a certain task.
I don't deny it's necessary to at least be able to recognize the old ways of doing things but for the new javascripter, this just makes things far too complicated in too short a period of time. Before reaching halfway through the book I got fed up because I no longer knew what was the "right" way of achieving my goal in my scripts.
I would recommend this for people who are looking for the complete package of javascript knowledge, however, if you'd rather look to the future rather than dwell half your time in the past, I'd say go somewhere else.
The Definitive Cross-browser Reference, tho' getting a bit out of date
This is an exhaustive reference text. It documents the full functionality of javascript, indicating which functionality works on which browsers, and is the best of its kind, based on the several texts I have considered.
The complete text (plus additional chapters) is on an included CD, which is handy for searching.
The only critique I have is that it is now two years old, and things change. Hence, it documents the Mozilla browser, but no references to Firefox, which is derivative from Mozilla. Would like to see an updated version, or better yet, would like to see the publisher allow owners of the book to access a continuously updated version online.
The discounted price makes it well worth the money, especially with free super saver shipping.
Superb, complete coverage
Other reviewers have already summarised the book contents, so no point in repeating the message.
The writing style is superb - probably the best I've seen in any technical text. The content is complete, with lots of good examples which don't interupt the flow of the book. Plus the extra bonus chapters on the CDROM, and a searchable PDF version of the book. Brilliant!
Much better than any of the dreadful O'Reilly books.
A book for everyone and noone
I like this book. But I'm not so sure about how the author targets his audience.
He seems to try to make it available to the casual HTML coder that wants to liven-up his pages; but I don't think this will aid someone who's never coded anything in his life before.
Javascript is the kind of language real programmers hate (and the author makes a point of this!) Nonetheless, it's also a language many like myself have to live with; so I can say this much about it...
This book is certainly huge and also quite helpful to someone that knows HTML and needs some interactivity on the client side. You can also just read the first 1/4 of it and keep the rest around to draw from as a reference. It's certainly useful; and the companion CD contains a full PDF of the book so you don't have to lug this heavy tomb between work and back.
