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Ask HN: Best current book to learn JavaScript?

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Re: Ask HN: Best current book to learn JavaScript?

#31

Post by abraves10001 »

I think this question needs to be expanded upon before an adequate answer can really be given.

Are you looking to learn code via JS?

Are you proficient in another language that has similar constructs to JS and just need to understand the nuances?

Are you somebody who has understood JQuery on a low level but never understood what the code was actually doing?

I am sure there are a few more questions along similar veins and I think each one of these questions could be interpreted from the OP and I think all of these have potentially different answers.

Re: Ask HN: Best current book to learn JavaScript?

#32

Post by ajeet_dhaliwal »

ameliaquining wrote: post #27
fredophile wrote: post #22

I found JavaScript: The Good Parts useful. It's very short and gets right to the point. The author focuses on the parts of the language people tend to use every day and highlights some gotchas and common mistakes that you might not expect (like == vs ===) if you're coming in from other languages.

One warning: Although it's a good book, it was published in 2008 and a lot has been added to the language since then. It will give you a solid understanding of the core of the language, but for modern best practices you'll have to look elsewhere.

Agreed, I own this book and it was great several years ago but it does not include ES5, 6 and now 2016, 2017. I think you're better off learning online. Or to get started read it and then add to the knowledge here: http://es6-features.org/#Constants (whoever set up that site is great, it's helped me out).

Re: Ask HN: Best current book to learn JavaScript?

#33

Post by jensvdh »

dhimes wrote: post #30
ameliaquining wrote: post #27

Earlier quoted context omitted.

One warning: Although it's a good book, it was published in 2008 and a lot has been added to the language since then. It will give you a solid understanding of the core of the language, but for modern best practices you'll have to look elsewhere.

Where would you suggest?

MDN.

Re: Ask HN: Best current book to learn JavaScript?

#34

Post by dec0dedab0de »

abraves10001 wrote: post #31

I think this question needs to be expanded upon before an adequate answer can really be given. Are you looking to learn code via JS? Are you proficient in another language that has similar constructs to JS and just need to understand the nuances? Are you somebody who has understood JQuery on a low level but never understood what the code was actually doing? I am sure there are a few more questions along similar veins…

What about someone who is proficient in python, can piece together awful Javascript, has no fundamental understanding of the language structure, and is overwhelmed by all the competing frameworks and build tools.

Lately I just turn to intercooler, but that's not a solution for everything.

Re: Ask HN: Best current book to learn JavaScript?

#35

Post by johnfn »

tashoecraft wrote: post #25
johnfn wrote: post #16

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The irony of a book called "You Don't Know JS" not in fact intended for people who don't know JS. :)

Idk, I always interpreted it as a conversation, where you the reader are saying "I know javascript" and Kyle Simpson says that you don't, which is how the book is intended.

I get the understood meaning - I was just making a joke. :)

Re: Ask HN: Best current book to learn JavaScript?

#37

Post by abraves10001 »

dec0dedab0de wrote: post #34
abraves10001 wrote: post #31

I think this question needs to be expanded upon before an adequate answer can really be given. Are you looking to learn code via JS? Are you proficient in another language that has similar constructs to JS and just need to understand the nuances? Are you somebody who has understood JQuery on a low level but never understood what the code was actually doing? I am sure there are a few more questions along similar veins…

What about someone who is proficient in python, can piece together awful Javascript, has no fundamental understanding of the language structure, and is overwhelmed by all the competing frameworks and build tools. Lately I just turn to intercooler, but that's not a solution for everything.

I honestly don't know. Maybe read one of the books mentioned here, eloquent or the good parts, and enroll in a course specific to a framework (i got a free subscription to front-end masters, that has a few good courses) and go from there.

Re: Ask HN: Best current book to learn JavaScript?

#39

Post by mattferderer »

I think it depends on your learning style & what you want to learn. http://jsbooks.revolunet.com/ is a great resource for free books.

If you want to learn concepts, You Don't Know JS by Kyle Simpson is great.

If you want to learn by doing, I would look away from books & more towards video based learning. It seems to have richer content in this style. Pluralsight, Frontend Masters, Egghead & Code School are all great. They also target different niches. If you're a complete beginner I suggest Code School. It does the best out of those at telling you where to start & what to learn next.

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