Beginning JavaScript and CSS Development with jQuery - Softcover

York, Richard

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0470227796 ISBN 13: 9780470227794

Publisher: Wrox, 2009

Synopsis

This book covers the jQuery JavaScript framework and the jQuery UI JavaScript framework to get more results more quickly out of JavaScript programming. I cover each method exposed by jQuery’s API, which contains methods to make common, redundant tasks go much more quickly in less code. I also cover how jQuery eliminates certain cross-browser, cross-platform development headaches like the event model; not only does it eliminate these headaches, but it also makes it easier to work with events by reducing the amount of code that you need to write to attach events. It even gives you the ability to simulate events.

You should have a basic understanding of JavaScript. I review some basic JavaScript programming concepts, such as the Event API, but I do not go into great detail about the JavaScript language itself. You’ll want to have at least a basic grasp of the Document Object Model, or DOM, and basic JavaScript programming syntax. Additionally, you’ll need to know your way around CSS and HTML, since knowledge of those technologies is also assumed.

You’ll see how you can leverage the jQuery UI library to make graphically driven UI widgets. jQuery gives you the ability to break content up among multiple tabs in the same page. You have the ability to customize the look and feel of the tabs, and even to create a polished look and feel by providing different effects that come in when you mouse over tabs and click on them. Some of the UI elements and techniques include:

• make any element draggable with the mouse
• drag-and-drop user interfaces
• lists that are sortable via drag-and-drop
• re-size elements on a page using the mouse
• entering a date into a field using a nice, accessible JavaScript-driven calendar that pops up when you click on an input field
• custom pop-up dialogues that are like virtual pop-up windows
• a graphical slider bar, similar to your media player’s volume control

About this title

About the Author

Richard York (Indianapolis, IN) is a web application developer. He wrote his first book, Beginning CSS: Cascading Sheets for Web Design, with Wrox in 2004 following that success with the 2nd edition in 2007. Richard began his web development career taking courses at Indiana University–Purdue University Indianapolis. Since college, he has continued a self-imposed curriculum, mastering various technologies used in web development including HTML/XHTML, CSS, JavaScript, PHP, and MySQL. An avid supporter of open source software, he has written an open source webmail application for PHP PEAR and is currently working on an open source PHP library and framework called Hierophant. Richard maintains a personal website at www.richard-york.com where you can learn more about his professional and personal interests.

From the Back Cover

jQuery allows you to do more in the world of dynamic web applications, with less code and fewer errors. It reduces the amount of JavaScript programming to only a few lines of code while making your JavaScript more intuitive and attractive to work with. At the same time, jQuery makes it easier to manipulate CSS from JavaScript by allowing you to set style for one or many elements at once.

With this unique, project-oriented book, author Richard York teaches even the most novice of JavaScript users how to quickly get started utilizing the JavaScript jQuery Library to decrease the amount of code that needs to be written and tested. A four-color code syntax highlighting system provides a visual reinforcement and allows you to see the nuts and bolts that comprise each line and section of code. With this helpful guide and hands-on exercises, you'll be able to put jQuery to work for you and avoid having to write code from scratch.

What you will learn from this book

• How to install and test jQuery

• Techniques to manipulate content and attributes

• Ways to filter and map a selection or an array

• The difference between GET and POST

• How to easily show, hide, slide, and fade elements with smooth animations and transitions

• Good practice for jQuery plugin development

• Methods for making elements draggable

• Ways to customize sortable lists

• How to implement and localize a datepicker

Who this book is for

This book is for web designers eager to do more with their web-based applications, but who do not necessarily have much JavaScript experience. Some basic knowledge of XHTML and CSS is necessary.

Wrox Beginning guides are crafted to make learning programming languages and technologies easier than you think, providing a structured, tutorial format that will guide you through all the techniques involved.

Edition details

• Publisher: Wrox
• Publication date: 2009
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0470227796
• ISBN 13: 9780470227794
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 560