Beginning JavaScript

What is this book about?

JavaScript is the language of the Web. Used for programming all major browsers, JavaScript gives you the ability to enhance your web site by creating interactive, dynamic, and personalized pages. Our focus in this book is on client-side scripting, but JavaScript is also hugely popular as a scripting language in server-side environments, a subject that we cover in later chapters.

What does this book cover?

Beginning JavaScript assumes no prior knowledge of programming languages, but will teach you all the fundamental concepts that you need as you progress. After covering the core JavaScript language, you'll move on to learn about more advanced techniques, including Dynamic HTML, using cookies, debugging techniques, and server-side scripting with ASP. By the end of this book, you will have mastered the art of using JavaScript to create dynamic and professional-looking web pages.

Here are a few of the things you'll learn in this book:

• Fundamental programming concepts
• Comprehensive practical tutorial in JavaScript
• Cross-browser scripting, including Netscape 6
• Cookie creation and use
• Plug-ins and ActiveX controls
• Dynamic HTML
• Scripting the W3C DOM
• Server-side JavaScript with ASP

Who is this book for?

This book is for anyone who wants to learn JavaScript. You will need a very basic knowledge of HTML, but no prior programming experience is necessary. Whether you want to pick up some programming skills, or want to find out how to transfer your existing programming knowledge to the Web, then this book is for you. All you need is a text editor (like Notepad) and a browser, and you're ready to go!

Paul Wilton After an initial start as a Visual Basic applications programmer at the Ministry of Defense in the UK, Paul found himself pulled into the Net. Having joined an Internet development company, he spent the last 3 years helping create Internet solutions and is currently working on an e-commerce web site for a major British bank.
Paul's main skills are in developing web front ends using DHTML, JavaScript, VBScript, and Visual Basic and back-end solutions with ASP, Visual Basic, and SQL Server. Currently, he's expanding his skill set to include ADSI programming of Windows 2000 Active Directory.