JavaScript: The Definitive Guide: The Definitive Guide

Front Cover
"O'Reilly Media, Inc.", Aug 17, 2006 - Computers - 1032 pages

This Fifth Edition is completely revised and expanded to cover JavaScript as it is used in today's Web 2.0 applications. This book is both an example-driven programmer's guide and a keep-on-your-desk reference, with new chapters that explain everything you need to know to get the most out of JavaScript, including:



  • Scripted HTTP and Ajax
  • XML processing
  • Client-side graphics using the canvas tag
  • Namespaces in JavaScript--essential when writing complex programs
  • Classes, closures, persistence, Flash, and JavaScript embedded in Java applications


Part I explains the core JavaScript language in detail. If you are new to JavaScript, it will teach you the language. If you are already a JavaScript programmer, Part I will sharpen your skills and deepen your understanding of the language.



Part II explains the scripting environment provided by web browsers, with a focus on DOM scripting with unobtrusive JavaScript. The broad and deep coverage of client-side JavaScript is illustrated with many sophisticated examples that demonstrate how to:



  • Generate a table of contents for an HTML document
  • Display DHTML animations
  • Automate form validation
  • Draw dynamic pie charts
  • Make HTML elements draggable
  • Define keyboard shortcuts for web applications
  • Create Ajax-enabled tool tips
  • Use XPath and XSLT on XML documents loaded with Ajax
  • And much more


Part III is a complete reference for core JavaScript. It documents every class, object, constructor, method, function, property, and constant defined by JavaScript 1.5 and ECMAScript Version 3.



Part IV is a reference for client-side JavaScript, covering legacy web browser APIs, the standard Level 2 DOM API, and emerging standards such as the XMLHttpRequest object and the canvas tag.



More than 300,000 JavaScript programmers around the world have madethis their indispensable reference book for building JavaScript applications.



"A must-have reference for expert JavaScript programmers...well-organized and detailed."
-- Brendan Eich, creator of JavaScript

 

Contents

Introduction to JavaScript
1
Part I
13
Lexical Structure
15
Datatypes and Values
21
Variables
49
Expressions and Operators
59
Statements
83
Objects and Arrays
106
Scripting Browser Windows
270
Scripting Documents
298
Cascading Style Sheets and Dynamic HTML
345
Events and Event Handling
388
Forms and Form Elements
437
Cookies and ClientSide Persistence
456
Scripting HTTP
478
JavaScript and XML
502

Functions
124
Classes Constructors and Prototypes
150
Modules and Namespaces
183
Pattern Matching with Regular Expressions
199
Scripting Java
213
Part II
233
JavaScript in Web Browsers
235
Scripted ClientSide Graphics
530
Scripting Java Applets and Flash Movies
573
Part III
593
Core JavaScript Reference
595
Part IV
715
ClientSide JavaScript Reference
717

Other editions - View all

Common terms and phrases