More web less game
I'm new to java and some web design. This book was pretty good, if your building a game for online. But not so good in reference to online web design. I did like it however just a pain in the rear trying to figure out were the code goes in my xhtml/css. But it also could just be me being a little behind the ball.
Excellent teaching, but a bit outdated.
When I got this book, it was the second book I got to learn Javascript with. The other book had poor teaching methods, leaving a lot of blanks for the reader to fill in.
This book didn't seem to have that problem at first. It was very good at teaching concepts and syntax at the same time. However, as I got into later chapters, I noticed that the code it had me type, though identical to what was in the book, did not produce the specified results, or even generated errors.
I skipped ahead to some of the later examples. Fortunately, the CD that comes with the book has all the examples pre-typed out, as well as files that go along with the lessons (before and after files, if you will). Many of the files in the latest chapters didn't function at all.
About this time I checked the printing date (2002), and realized I was probably dealing with coding systems that had been updated, as virtually all web-related coding systems I've studied (HTML/XHTML, CSS, PHP) all seem to have updates and variations every year or so.
All in all, the author and publisher did a good job of teaching, and I'd recommend their work....but, unless I've made a major mistake, I wouldn't recommend this one...unless it gets revised to keep up with the current technology.
Poor on example (relate only with games)
I have read this book for a long time (may be 2 years a go) but I did not complete it until now. The book is very boring, Because I'm never learn javascript, that is why it is the reason that i choose this book. But all of the book example is explain with the game project. I really hate it. What I expect to learn is the benefit of javascript scripting language that I could use in the business website. I expect to have a real example for business web site development using javascript scripting language, but this book is totally nothing. If you want to learn javascript for using in business, don't buy this book.
Good approach, but poor editing
This books approach, teaching JS by programming games is effective, but the way the programs are layed out is confusing. In one chapter, the program is presented in parts, but it is VERY confusing how they go together, and parts of the program are left out entirely, which makes the program not work at all (Petals around the Rose, ch.6). An editor should be used who can correct programs, as well as correctling spelling.
Woohoo!!
I just finished taking Andy Harris' Client-Side Web Programming class at IUPUI that follows this book. Written in English, not computerese, this practical, how-to guide equips you with tools that get you in the saddle and off and running as a javascript programmer. Armed with just this information, you can create highly versatile and functional web programs of which you can be proud. The applications for these concepts are limitless. Go Andy!
