Ask HN: Which javascript book is a must read?

#1

Post by gerbera » Wed, Jul 27, 2011, 6:31 PM UTC

Which javascript book do you guys recommend as a must read, for an upcoming javascript developer?

Re: Ask HN: Which javascript book is a must read?

#2

Post by msluyter » Wed, Jul 27, 2011, 6:45 PM UTC

People often recommend Douglas Crockford's "Javascript, the Good Parts" and "Eloquent Javascript," by Marijn Haverbeke. The source code of interesting libraries like jQuery can be very illuminating as well.

Re: Ask HN: Which javascript book is a must read?

#3

Post by iKnowKungFoo » Wed, Jul 27, 2011, 6:56 PM UTC

msluyter wrote: post #2

People often recommend Douglas Crockford's "Javascript, the Good Parts" and "Eloquent Javascript," by Marijn Haverbeke. The source code of interesting libraries like jQuery can be very illuminating as well.

^^^^ Ditto.

Re: Ask HN: Which javascript book is a must read?

#4

Post by scorpioxy » Wed, Jul 27, 2011, 7:55 PM UTC

I recommend "Javascript: The Definitive Guide". It's not a "fun" read, but it will tell you almost everything you need to know. From javascript the language to the DOM and the different browser behaviour.

It also includes a reference section that is indispensable. I recommend getting it as an ebook though because you're going to be using the reference section a lot.

Re: Ask HN: Which javascript book is a must read?

#5

Post by euroclydon » Thu, Jul 28, 2011, 7:24 PM UTC

Here are some interesting web pages I've bookmarked on JS:

http://www.bolinfest.com/javascript/inheritance.php

http://fuelyourcoding.com/jquery-events-stop-misusing-return...

If you start reading them, and spider out and read more whenever you encounter something you don't understand, you'll learn a lot.

Re: Ask HN: Which javascript book is a must read?

#6

Post by diminium » Fri, Jul 29, 2011, 1:57 AM UTC

Do you need a book? If not, then http://developer.yahoo.com/yui/theater/ Anything by Douglas Crockford is especially useful.

Warning: Douglas is only one man and he is very opinionated about some stuff but he is also smart. So, take the good and leave the bad. Or sometimes, you have to take the bad because everyone else in the world forces you to.

Re: Ask HN: Which javascript book is a must read?

#7

Post by vahidR » Mon, Aug 01, 2011, 1:36 AM UTC

I've read "Murach's JavaScript and DOM Scripting" and I really liked it. It makes a solid foundation ... http://www.murach.com/books/mdom/index.htm