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Eloquent JavaScript, Second Edition

eloquentjavascript.net

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Re: Eloquent JavaScript, Second Edition

#91

Post by chazu »

aboutaaron wrote: post #24

This was a great reference when I started learning JavaScript. It just didn't go over the language, but also gave a great history of programming in general and why JavaScript is structured how it is. A lot has changed in JS land since the first version came out so I look forward to have the author tackles it/

Agreed. This book's conversational style and carefully-worded explanations of core concepts from multiple paradigms helped me begin to grok javascript beyond just $('.that-thing-there').doStuff();

Re: Eloquent JavaScript, Second Edition

#92

Post by coldtea »

SeanDav wrote: post #72
coldtea wrote: post #60

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Well, FWIW, I for one can read a whole books, actually lots of them from both iBooks and iOS's Kindle app (read on a tablet. Heck, even on an iPhone). And don't care particularly for e-ink (I also have a kindle I don't use much). If you can find some specific scientific argument why e-ink is "an essential requirement" (besides personal choice) then it's just cargo cult. I listed fairly accurately were e-ink is better…

Off the top of my head there are 2 major differences between e-ink and non e-ink displays that could potentially explain differences in comfort level for prolonged use: - Non e-ink displays have a refresh rate, therefore continuous "activity" on the screen. People can have different sensitivities to this. - Non e-ink displays tend to have higher contrast and/or brightness. This would normally be considered an advanta…

>I don't need scientific papers to tell me I find e-ink more comfortable or not, it becomes very quickly apparent when I try to read a book on a tablet.

Well, without science to back it up, it's mostly good ole superstition. Subjective feeling doesn't say much (that's why placebo work too). The same things ("I don't need science to back this up, I know I feel better with it") are also said for "magnetic bracelets", homeopathy, and tons of similar things.

Re: Eloquent JavaScript, Second Edition

#93

Post by coldtea »

uniclaude wrote: post #62
coldtea wrote: post #60

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Well, FWIW, I for one can read a whole books, actually lots of them from both iBooks and iOS's Kindle app (read on a tablet. Heck, even on an iPhone). And don't care particularly for e-ink (I also have a kindle I don't use much). If you can find some specific scientific argument why e-ink is "an essential requirement" (besides personal choice) then it's just cargo cult. I listed fairly accurately were e-ink is better…

> If you can find some specific scientific argument why e-ink is "an essential requirement" (besides personal choice) then it's just cargo cult. That's not how science works, and your comments are abrasive and offensive for no good reason. Things exist before scientists can prove them, and that's why research is done. Although a quick Google search led me to find a paper backing your argument, I find you way too quic…

>That's not how science works, and your comments are abrasive and offensive for no good reason. Things exist before scientists can prove them, and that's why research is done.

Research WAS done though. And didn't find much in advantage.

>Why not believe them when they say they feel less strain?

Because that's not how science works either. Subjective feelings are a dime a dozen. Users of homeopathic "drugs" also "feel less strain" but they're just drinking water. People can be led to believe (and "feel") anything by marketing, religion, snake oil merchants, etc.

Re: Eloquent JavaScript, Second Edition

#94

Post by facepalm »

marijn wrote: post #46
TelusX wrote: post #13

This is the best Javascript tutorial out there, and I was eagerly looking forward to this update. From glancing at the text, however, it seems that it doesn't cover the very significant upgrades introduced by ECMAScript 6 "Harmony". Seeing that the standard is already being finalized towards a release in 4 months[1], this seems like an unfortunate omission in an otherwise top-notch text. [1] http://en.wikipedia.org/w…

I considered (and actually started writing) an extra chapter on ES6, but the current state of the standard is poorly documented and still in flux. Also, it's a huge standard, so it'd have taken two or three chapters at least to cover it properly. For something that won't be supported for a while yet (without using a transpiler), that seemed too much bother. I might add such chapters in the future.

Isn't it already supported in NodeJS (there is a --harmony flag)?

Re: Eloquent JavaScript, Second Edition

#95

Post by vincentleeuwen »

HolyHaddock wrote: post #76
poxrud wrote: post #43

Good read. After you finish this book I'd suggest the free Javascript Allonge https://leanpub.com/javascript-allonge/read An excellent intermediate/advanced javascript book.

Seconded. I'm currently using it as a beginners Javascript book and find it extremely accessible.

We'll speak to you again once you're beyond chapter 5...

(absolutely loved it as well by the way)

Re: Eloquent JavaScript, Second Edition

#96

Post by marijn »

facepalm wrote: post #94
marijn wrote: post #46

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I considered (and actually started writing) an extra chapter on ES6, but the current state of the standard is poorly documented and still in flux. Also, it's a huge standard, so it'd have taken two or three chapters at least to cover it properly. For something that won't be supported for a while yet (without using a transpiler), that seemed too much bother. I might add such chapters in the future.

Isn't it already supported in NodeJS (there is a --harmony flag)?

There are some features that are supported, but there's a long way to go before V8 supports the whole standard.

Re: Eloquent JavaScript, Second Edition

#97

Post by coldtea »

elwell wrote: post #66
coldtea wrote: post #60

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Well, FWIW, I for one can read a whole books, actually lots of them from both iBooks and iOS's Kindle app (read on a tablet. Heck, even on an iPhone). And don't care particularly for e-ink (I also have a kindle I don't use much). If you can find some specific scientific argument why e-ink is "an essential requirement" (besides personal choice) then it's just cargo cult. I listed fairly accurately were e-ink is better…

Use of the term "cargo cult" is cargo cult.

Nice try, but no.

The word has a defined meaning/usage.

Taking marketing claims for technical superiorit with regards to readability as gospel without any scientific evidence of their validity (and even evidence to them being nothing much) qualifies.

Re: Eloquent JavaScript, Second Edition

#98

Post by SiVal »

lookingsideways wrote: post #84
SiVal wrote: post #51

Earlier quoted context omitted.

If a book isn't technical, I can usually read it in audio format as I do something otherwise mindless like washing dishes, so most of what I need to read (with my eyes) contains equations, code listings (like this JavaScript book), diagrams, maps, etc., that don't work well at all on today's e-ink displays: Thousand-page "Introduction to..." technical books, code listings, foreign-language tutorial textbooks, journal…

> I need a REALLY GOOD reader. I wish I had a lightweight, clipboard-sized, hi-rez, B&W, PDF reader with the flick scrolling, pinch resizing, etc. of an iPad with the battery life to last a whole delayed flight from San Francisco->Tokyo->Singapore, door to door. Have you seen the Sony Digital Paper System[0]? It seems to fit the bill perfectly but the price point high. [0]: http://pro.sony.com/bbsc/ssr/product-DPTS1/…

+1 for this interesting suggestion. Thanks. I've never heard of it and would love to try one.

Apparently, it doesn't scroll, but I'm sure scrolling takes a lot of energy to do all the refreshes. I assume that a large, hi-rez reader can offer scrolling, thinness/lightness, or long battery life, pick two.

Re: Eloquent JavaScript, Second Edition

#99

Post by elwell »

coldtea wrote: post #97
elwell wrote: post #66

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Use of the term "cargo cult" is cargo cult.

Nice try, but no. The word has a defined meaning/usage. Taking marketing claims for technical superiorit with regards to readability as gospel without any scientific evidence of their validity (and even evidence to them being nothing much) qualifies.

You would be right, but my visual cortex actually has an elisp hook that trims marketing text and imagery. So, in this case, my comment was borne out of purely personal, first-hand experience. Furthermore, my original comment's 'wish' was not an attempt to apply opinion-constraints upon others. My aim was to garner karma from individuals who might share the same sentiment as I.
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