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JavaScript and jQuery: Interactive Front-End Web Development
Learn JavaScript and jQuery a nicer way
This full-color book adopts a visual approach to teaching JavaScript & jQuery, showing you how to make web pages more interactive and interfaces more intuitive through the use of inspiring code examples, infographics, and photography. The content assumes no previous programming experience, other than knowing how to create a basic web page in HTML & CSS. You'll learn how to achieve techniques seen on many popular websites (such as adding animation, tabbed panels, content sliders, form validation, interactive galleries, and sorting data)..Introduces core programming concepts in JavaScript and jQueryUses clear descriptions, inspiring examples, and easy-to-follow diagramsTeaches you how to create scripts from scratch, and understand the thousands of JavaScripts, JavaScript APIs, and jQuery plugins that are available on the webDemonstrates the latest practices in progressive enhancement, cross-browser compatibility, and when you may be better off using CSS3
If you're looking to create more enriching web experiences and express your creativity through code, then this is the book for you.This book is also available as part of a set in hardcover - Web Design with HTML, CSS, JavaScript and jQuery, 9781119038634 - and in softcover - Web Design with HTML, CSS, JavaScript and jQuery, 9781118907443.
This full-color book adopts a visual approach to teaching JavaScript & jQuery, showing you how to make web pages more interactive and interfaces more intuitive through the use of inspiring code examples, infographics, and photography. The content assumes no previous programming experience, other than knowing how to create a basic web page in HTML & CSS. You'll learn how to achieve techniques seen on many popular websites (such as adding animation, tabbed panels, content sliders, form validation, interactive galleries, and sorting data)..Introduces core programming concepts in JavaScript and jQueryUses clear descriptions, inspiring examples, and easy-to-follow diagramsTeaches you how to create scripts from scratch, and understand the thousands of JavaScripts, JavaScript APIs, and jQuery plugins that are available on the webDemonstrates the latest practices in progressive enhancement, cross-browser compatibility, and when you may be better off using CSS3
If you're looking to create more enriching web experiences and express your creativity through code, then this is the book for you.This book is also available as part of a set in hardcover - Web Design with HTML, CSS, JavaScript and jQuery, 9781119038634 - and in softcover - Web Design with HTML, CSS, JavaScript and jQuery, 9781118907443.
640 pages, Paperback
First published March 5, 2013
469 people are currently reading
3647 people want to read
About the author
Jon Duckett
35 books227 followersJon Duckett has been designing and building web sites for over a decade, working with global brands, and has authored and co-authored over a dozen books on web design, programming, usability and accessibility. He has curated conferences about web programming and has been a web strategy consultant, often coding front ends for projects and designing architectures for back end programming. He is the author of the best-selling, HTML & CSS: Design and Build Websites and JavaScript & jQuery: Interactive Front-End Web Development.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 113 reviews
November 2, 2020
You won't like this review because I am in the extreme minority. I thought this was going to be a fantastic book because of the reviews and because of the fantastic imagery. But, by the time I was neck deep in chapter two, I realized that I had drunk the Kool-Aid; the book was nothing but a beautiful presentation of definition of terms, more so than a tutorial that led a beginner through the fundamentals of learning JavaScript and or JQuery.
I have tried Code School, Lynda, Thinkful, Code Academy, TeamTreehouse, Udemy, Udacity and a couple others. I've read through the first few chapters of "Eloquent JavaScript" (which is NOT for beginners) as well as "JavaScript The Definitive Guide" by David Flanagin (which is also not for beginners) and have found all of them lacking in one way or another.
If you want to learn JQuery, the best I've found is at OneMonth.com. You have to pay, but you get what you pay for.
There are four reasons why I was unable to get what I wanted out of the above sites and books:
1) Books not for beginners, though they say they are for beginners: With some of them, I made the assumption that they were for beginners (even after being told that the books were for beginners). They most definitely were not. The Definitive Guide and Eloquent JS are both more applicable as reference tools for people who already have an understanding of JS. I have found that most of the cheerleaders for these books (especially Eloquent JS) were people who were already experienced in JS. If you read the reviews on Amazon, you'll see I'm not alone in holding this opinion.
2) Authors have gaps in what they teach: In each case it was obvious that the authors or presenters (in the case of videos) knew the subject matter but inevitably they presented the material with gaps in the content, leaving me scratching my head trying to fill the gaps on my own. There would be a leap from one point in the material to another, where I'd be thinking, "How the F did you get there from where you were and what was that new statement/expression?"
3) Lack of exercises: They lacked problems and exercises to work through. Exercises are essential to practice through, not too unlike taking a hatchet to chop your way through a dense forest. The more you practice, the better and further you get. No matter what type of math or science you are working with, it is inevitable that you will need to practice, practice, practice certain fundamental exercises to the point that it is rote in order to move on to higher levels of the science. With the exception of Code Academy, none of the others provided ample exercises to work through. If you ask any developer how to get better, they will inevitably tell you something akin to "just do it," which sounds lame, but in essence they are saying that practicing writing code is the only thing that makes you better at writing code. Unfortunately, with many of these online tutorials and books, there simply are no exercises (or there are too few) to help sharpen your axe. Inevitably coders will say, "you just want to have your hand held" or "you just want to be spoon fed". No. Me saying that "I'm willing to do the work and please give me more applicable exercises in multiple forms of function so I can get better," is NOT asking to be spoon fed. If this were the case, then every math book in grade school, high school and college would be guilty of "spoon feeding" and hand holding, since they have 25 to 50 problems at the end of each section." After a beginning coder learns how to apply wield the fundamental tools of the trade, then they can start creating new apps and sites on their own. Once they learn how to create a Fizz Buzz app, they can then add to it, increase the thoroughness of it and streamline it.
4) They do a poor job of connecting the dots: You could study these sites and books for weeks and not have an understanding of how JavaScript integrates and works with HTML. You can learn all the for-loops and if/else, else/if statements you want, till you're bleeding out your ears but none of the above sources have you connect the dots of HTML/CSS and JavaScript, so the reader is left wondering how what he or she just learned is practically applied to a web page.
Though I didn't finish Duckett's JavaScript and Jquery book, I've changed my rating of this book to flaccid two stars and not one star, primarily because it has pretty pictures and Duckett put a good faith effort into it. The book fails because of reasons 3 and 4 above. There are no exercises and what Duckett does do is explain what each component of JavaScript is, but you never see it in action. It's like...attending a practical application sex-ed class that you attend with the expectation that you will a) learn something and b) get better at sex, but where the instructor says,
Experts will say "it's a great book! Absolutely fantastic! A MUST READ!" But, that's because they didn't learn from the book, they already knew JavaScript and are assuming that it will teach you something without actually having bothered to use the book as a learning device. In short, they are assuming it's a good book when it's not. Don't trust me? Read through the first 2 chapters. Look for exercises. Look for material that actually teaches you. What you'll find is an infinite dictionary list of all the elements of JavaScript with no practical application.
I have tried Code School, Lynda, Thinkful, Code Academy, TeamTreehouse, Udemy, Udacity and a couple others. I've read through the first few chapters of "Eloquent JavaScript" (which is NOT for beginners) as well as "JavaScript The Definitive Guide" by David Flanagin (which is also not for beginners) and have found all of them lacking in one way or another.
If you want to learn JQuery, the best I've found is at OneMonth.com. You have to pay, but you get what you pay for.
There are four reasons why I was unable to get what I wanted out of the above sites and books:
1) Books not for beginners, though they say they are for beginners: With some of them, I made the assumption that they were for beginners (even after being told that the books were for beginners). They most definitely were not. The Definitive Guide and Eloquent JS are both more applicable as reference tools for people who already have an understanding of JS. I have found that most of the cheerleaders for these books (especially Eloquent JS) were people who were already experienced in JS. If you read the reviews on Amazon, you'll see I'm not alone in holding this opinion.
2) Authors have gaps in what they teach: In each case it was obvious that the authors or presenters (in the case of videos) knew the subject matter but inevitably they presented the material with gaps in the content, leaving me scratching my head trying to fill the gaps on my own. There would be a leap from one point in the material to another, where I'd be thinking, "How the F did you get there from where you were and what was that new statement/expression?"
3) Lack of exercises: They lacked problems and exercises to work through. Exercises are essential to practice through, not too unlike taking a hatchet to chop your way through a dense forest. The more you practice, the better and further you get. No matter what type of math or science you are working with, it is inevitable that you will need to practice, practice, practice certain fundamental exercises to the point that it is rote in order to move on to higher levels of the science. With the exception of Code Academy, none of the others provided ample exercises to work through. If you ask any developer how to get better, they will inevitably tell you something akin to "just do it," which sounds lame, but in essence they are saying that practicing writing code is the only thing that makes you better at writing code. Unfortunately, with many of these online tutorials and books, there simply are no exercises (or there are too few) to help sharpen your axe. Inevitably coders will say, "you just want to have your hand held" or "you just want to be spoon fed". No. Me saying that "I'm willing to do the work and please give me more applicable exercises in multiple forms of function so I can get better," is NOT asking to be spoon fed. If this were the case, then every math book in grade school, high school and college would be guilty of "spoon feeding" and hand holding, since they have 25 to 50 problems at the end of each section." After a beginning coder learns how to apply wield the fundamental tools of the trade, then they can start creating new apps and sites on their own. Once they learn how to create a Fizz Buzz app, they can then add to it, increase the thoroughness of it and streamline it.
4) They do a poor job of connecting the dots: You could study these sites and books for weeks and not have an understanding of how JavaScript integrates and works with HTML. You can learn all the for-loops and if/else, else/if statements you want, till you're bleeding out your ears but none of the above sources have you connect the dots of HTML/CSS and JavaScript, so the reader is left wondering how what he or she just learned is practically applied to a web page.
Though I didn't finish Duckett's JavaScript and Jquery book, I've changed my rating of this book to flaccid two stars and not one star, primarily because it has pretty pictures and Duckett put a good faith effort into it. The book fails because of reasons 3 and 4 above. There are no exercises and what Duckett does do is explain what each component of JavaScript is, but you never see it in action. It's like...attending a practical application sex-ed class that you attend with the expectation that you will a) learn something and b) get better at sex, but where the instructor says,
"here is a breast, here is a navel, here is the vagina, here is a penis, testicles and here is some wooly pubic hair,"explaining each part of the body, on and on and on though never putting everything together for you and never putting forth exercises to practice with.
Experts will say "it's a great book! Absolutely fantastic! A MUST READ!" But, that's because they didn't learn from the book, they already knew JavaScript and are assuming that it will teach you something without actually having bothered to use the book as a learning device. In short, they are assuming it's a good book when it's not. Don't trust me? Read through the first 2 chapters. Look for exercises. Look for material that actually teaches you. What you'll find is an infinite dictionary list of all the elements of JavaScript with no practical application.
February 25, 2024
Just came out but what I've seen is beautiful and clear. Be forewarned, this book doesn't come with exercises but you can find the examples online to mess around with at javascriptbook.com.
It may not be as technical as your other javascript/jquery books, but it really inspires - anyone who's not a newbie should not get this with the mindset of advanced programming because it's definitely geared toward people who haven't touched code.
It may not be as technical as your other javascript/jquery books, but it really inspires - anyone who's not a newbie should not get this with the mindset of advanced programming because it's definitely geared toward people who haven't touched code.
September 10, 2018
A Not So Basic Programming Language
8 September 2018
The first book in this series was pretty easy going, but it turned out that this one really wasn’t the case. Then again when we come to Javascript we are basically dealing with a computer language, and when it comes to computer languages they can be pretty complicated. Honestly, reading a book, particularly with the speed that I read it, really isn’t going to give you a good idea on how the language works. Well, there are some people that probably can, but in reality, when it comes to learning a computer language, it really comes down to practice as opposed to simply reading a book and hoping that you can take off from there.
The thing with computer languages is that rarely, if ever, are you going to write the perfect program right off the bat. Okay, maybe if it is what they refer to as a ‘hello world’ program, namely a program that simply prints the phrase ‘hello world’ to the screen, but even then I suspect that a beginner may even have issues with that. Honestly, at first I thought the whole ‘hello world’ thing was stupid, but having now done three quarters of a year of computer science, it basically seems to be part and parcel of the whole community. Mind you I’m still the type of person who would get the computer to tell the user to piss off as opposed to saying hello.
Look, in all intents and purposes, Javascript isn’t actually a hard language to learn, though this book goes into a lot of detail, namely because there are so many aspects to Javascript that it would be very, very difficult to adequately explain all aspects of it. The title mentions something called Jquery, which is still Javascript, but it is what they refer to as a Javascript library, namely a collection of routines that have been written by other developers that can be used so that we don’t have to go to all the heartache of writing them ourselves.
Javascript is what they refer to as a ‘client-side’ language, namely it is a computer language that runs off the user’s machine. You might actually be aware of it, namely because it is one of the major languages used in web programming. In a way it is a language that is executed by your browser, which is why I consider it to be a relatively easy language, namely because all you need to do to test out the code is to fire up your browser. I guess the whole idea of writing a program, compiling it, and then running it to see if it works can be sort of frustrating, though IDEs (integrated development environments) sort of take all of the hassle out of that.
As for this book, yeah, it was okay, though honestly, I am still wondering why I actually forked out the money to purchase it. The thing with web programming is that it is really one area that I am not all that interested in getting into. Sure, there are probably lots and lots of jobs out there for web programmers, but in a way I am more interested in server side applications, and programming. Then again I have only started my degree, so I still have a couple of years to go before I see where I end up landing up. As for learning Javascript, well, there are plenty of resources out there on the interweb that I’m not entirely sure whether it is all that necessary to purchase a book anymore.
8 September 2018
The first book in this series was pretty easy going, but it turned out that this one really wasn’t the case. Then again when we come to Javascript we are basically dealing with a computer language, and when it comes to computer languages they can be pretty complicated. Honestly, reading a book, particularly with the speed that I read it, really isn’t going to give you a good idea on how the language works. Well, there are some people that probably can, but in reality, when it comes to learning a computer language, it really comes down to practice as opposed to simply reading a book and hoping that you can take off from there.
The thing with computer languages is that rarely, if ever, are you going to write the perfect program right off the bat. Okay, maybe if it is what they refer to as a ‘hello world’ program, namely a program that simply prints the phrase ‘hello world’ to the screen, but even then I suspect that a beginner may even have issues with that. Honestly, at first I thought the whole ‘hello world’ thing was stupid, but having now done three quarters of a year of computer science, it basically seems to be part and parcel of the whole community. Mind you I’m still the type of person who would get the computer to tell the user to piss off as opposed to saying hello.
Look, in all intents and purposes, Javascript isn’t actually a hard language to learn, though this book goes into a lot of detail, namely because there are so many aspects to Javascript that it would be very, very difficult to adequately explain all aspects of it. The title mentions something called Jquery, which is still Javascript, but it is what they refer to as a Javascript library, namely a collection of routines that have been written by other developers that can be used so that we don’t have to go to all the heartache of writing them ourselves.
Javascript is what they refer to as a ‘client-side’ language, namely it is a computer language that runs off the user’s machine. You might actually be aware of it, namely because it is one of the major languages used in web programming. In a way it is a language that is executed by your browser, which is why I consider it to be a relatively easy language, namely because all you need to do to test out the code is to fire up your browser. I guess the whole idea of writing a program, compiling it, and then running it to see if it works can be sort of frustrating, though IDEs (integrated development environments) sort of take all of the hassle out of that.
As for this book, yeah, it was okay, though honestly, I am still wondering why I actually forked out the money to purchase it. The thing with web programming is that it is really one area that I am not all that interested in getting into. Sure, there are probably lots and lots of jobs out there for web programmers, but in a way I am more interested in server side applications, and programming. Then again I have only started my degree, so I still have a couple of years to go before I see where I end up landing up. As for learning Javascript, well, there are plenty of resources out there on the interweb that I’m not entirely sure whether it is all that necessary to purchase a book anymore.
December 2, 2014
I have read a lot of technical books over the years, and I have read more than a few JavaScript books. This book is one of the best I've ever read. It is very informative yet concise. It addresses the needs of first time learners and experts alike. And it is absolutely gorgeous to look at and a pleasure to read. I highly recommend it anyone learning JavaScript.
I am not paid by or any relation to the author. I sincerely believe this is an excellent book.
I am not paid by or any relation to the author. I sincerely believe this is an excellent book.
January 27, 2020
This book is so visually pleasing, BUT, it is not very interesting if you have some experience in programming. My advice for those alike (advanced beginners), is to choose only the chapters covering topics you're not familiar with and read those, since there is certainly useful content in this book.
April 2, 2017
This was a brilliant addition to the advanced web development courses I am taking at the moment. Whenever I felt a bit lost in class, I would refer to this, and vice versa. It is visually attractive and the author kindly also offers downloadable content for you to see/play with as you attempt to learn the concepts and ideas of Javascript/jQuery programming.
I would highly recommend this to someone who is searching for a good beginners guide on JS and jQuery. I did find some of the later content a bit out of place (I thought the overview on form validation should’ve come a little earlier — possibly before jQuery) but the author covers everything that I expected. (Plus a bit more with things like AngularJS!)
I would highly recommend this to someone who is searching for a good beginners guide on JS and jQuery. I did find some of the later content a bit out of place (I thought the overview on form validation should’ve come a little earlier — possibly before jQuery) but the author covers everything that I expected. (Plus a bit more with things like AngularJS!)
September 11, 2017
Awesome book for begginers to start with! I started with it! <3
But, at this time JavaScript got some improvements and I don't think this book is enough. It is not outdated, but there are some stuff missing. After finishing with this book, I reccomend something about ES6 definitelly, to have complete knowledge.
But, at this time JavaScript got some improvements and I don't think this book is enough. It is not outdated, but there are some stuff missing. After finishing with this book, I reccomend something about ES6 definitelly, to have complete knowledge.
January 9, 2014
Awesome:D
March 18, 2025
4.0/5!
Overall an enjoyable book to read. If you already have a programming background, a lot of this will be review, even if you have little experience with JS, but there’s plenty of nice examples, and of course things I didn’t know since I don’t have much JS experience. It also spends a good time with JQuery, which I understand is not as popular as it used to be. As this came out in 2014, some things, I found when trying some of the code, were considered deprecated as of 2025.
I particularly like the presentation! Very neat and easy to follow, and plenty of code examples, as well as graphics, and explanations outlining in detail what the code does, as well as images of what the result of running said code is.
Overall an enjoyable book to read. If you already have a programming background, a lot of this will be review, even if you have little experience with JS, but there’s plenty of nice examples, and of course things I didn’t know since I don’t have much JS experience. It also spends a good time with JQuery, which I understand is not as popular as it used to be. As this came out in 2014, some things, I found when trying some of the code, were considered deprecated as of 2025.
I particularly like the presentation! Very neat and easy to follow, and plenty of code examples, as well as graphics, and explanations outlining in detail what the code does, as well as images of what the result of running said code is.
June 2, 2018
The book 'Javascript and jQuery' by Jon Duckett is a masterminded intelligent book that has a very good step by step process on everything a beginner should know. From how to put through a GET request to fine tuning your login form for your website. The format of the book is laid out in a very modern style and just makes you want to read it based on the feel and look of it. They say don't judge a book by it's cover, but this is one book that has a beautiful cover and a lovely inside. On page 221, it says, "var firstItem = document.GetElementById('one')". This really helped me understand how to use ids to target certain elements. Overall, this book was very good and is a great tool to help a beginner understand the concepts of javascript and jQuery.
February 21, 2020
I have never mastered programming until I have read this book
September 23, 2023
Nie ma opcji że ktoś to przeczytał od deski do deski. Jon Duckett jesteś bogiem ale czytanie książek o programowaniu nie jest dla mnie
December 16, 2017
لم اقرا الجزء الخاص ب
Ajax
اكمله فيما بعد
Ajax
اكمله فيما بعد
November 16, 2018
Slightly outdated, great illustrations.
December 23, 2020
Best book for who start to be a web developer at very beginning.
Read
April 17, 2025Book Review: JavaScript and jQuery: Interactive Front-End Web Development by Jon Duckett
Review Summary:
JavaScript and jQuery by Jon Duckett is not just another programming manual—it’s a beautifully designed, highly visual guide that transforms complex concepts into digestible, interactive lessons. Aimed at beginners and intermediate front-end developers, the book provides a practical approach to learning two of the most critical technologies in modern web development.
What I Loved:
Design-First Approach: The book is visually stunning. Every page is thoughtfully laid out with graphics, diagrams, and color-coded examples that make the learning process more intuitive.
Beginner-Friendly: Duckett has a knack for explaining things clearly. Concepts like DOM manipulation, event handling, and AJAX are introduced progressively and with great clarity.
Real-World Examples: Instead of dry theory, the book gives you snippets of code you’ll use when building websites or web apps.
Minor Shortcomings:
Limited Depth: For more advanced users, the book may feel a bit basic. It’s designed as a launching pad, not a deep-dive reference manual.
Focus on jQuery: While jQuery is still relevant, modern front-end development also involves frameworks like React or Vue. However, understanding jQuery still provides solid fundamentals in JavaScript and DOM interaction.
How This Book Helped Me Launch Pandeia
Reading JavaScript and jQuery was a game-changer for me. It helped bridge the gap between theory and practical front-end development. More importantly, it inspired me to take the leap and build real digital solutions, which became the foundation for launching Pandeia, my data-driven consulting and web development business.
The clarity in Duckett's teaching gave me the confidence to start building clean, user-friendly websites and web applications from scratch. It empowered me to work directly with clients, prototype quickly, and build experiences that aren't just functional, but beautiful and interactive.
What We Offer at Pandeia's Web Development Services
At Pandeia, we combine clean design, robust functionality, and strategic thinking to deliver websites that do more than just look good—they convert, inform, and grow with your business. Here’s what we offer:
Custom Website Design: Built from scratch, fully responsive, and tailored to your brand identity.
Full-Stack Web Development: From front-end interactivity (thanks, JavaScript!) to powerful back-end architecture.
Performance Optimization: Fast-loading, SEO-friendly, and optimized for mobile and desktop alike.
Data-Driven Enhancements: We tie our websites into analytics and insights, ensuring every click counts.
Maintenance and Support: We don’t just build and disappear. We offer ongoing support to keep your digital presence fresh and secure.
Whether you’re a startup looking to build your first site or an established business ready to upgrade your digital presence, Pandeia is your strategic partner in digital growth.
Let’s Talk!
If you’ve read JavaScript and jQuery, are curious about web development, or are interested in building something great online, I’d love to connect. Let’s talk code, design, and digital strategy.
👉 Contact me to discuss the book, web development, or how we can help bring your digital vision to life.
November 13, 2019
I'm reading this book after I have read its companion "html&css" (in 2019).
I have tried many years ago (somewhere in 2008) to learn javascript from another book, but at that time it was too confusing to me.
With this colorful and simple explanations I think I finally will learn something (despite I'm yet in the page 215).
Despite I think this book is very good for beginners like myself (and not so good for experienced developers) due to its slow pace, it is getting boring to see code that I think it could be much shorter.
For instance in page 215 (but also in previous examples) it is intended to replace text in a text node and to do that the author do it in 4 (four) lines of code what could be done in 1 (one) line of code:
author:
var itemTwo = document.getElementById('two'); // Get second list item
var elText = itemTwo.firstChild.nodeValue; // Get its text content
elText = elText.replace('pine nuts', 'kale'); // Change pine nuts to kale
itemTwo.firstChild.nodeValue = elText; // Update the list item
me:
document.getElementById('two').firstChild.nodeValue = 'kale';
I only understand this options to the learner practice the node location and some extra functions like replace, despite that for the purpose of the example it make no sense and do not increases the productivity of the learner. I hope that in the following chapters these things are speed up.
Another issue is that the book is from 2014 so it does not cover the most recent improvements in javascript, however, I think that for the beginner that is not a concern since thereafter one can buy a more recent book (not so colorful) or search on the net.
I have tried many years ago (somewhere in 2008) to learn javascript from another book, but at that time it was too confusing to me.
With this colorful and simple explanations I think I finally will learn something (despite I'm yet in the page 215).
Despite I think this book is very good for beginners like myself (and not so good for experienced developers) due to its slow pace, it is getting boring to see code that I think it could be much shorter.
For instance in page 215 (but also in previous examples) it is intended to replace text in a text node and to do that the author do it in 4 (four) lines of code what could be done in 1 (one) line of code:
author:
var itemTwo = document.getElementById('two'); // Get second list item
var elText = itemTwo.firstChild.nodeValue; // Get its text content
elText = elText.replace('pine nuts', 'kale'); // Change pine nuts to kale
itemTwo.firstChild.nodeValue = elText; // Update the list item
me:
document.getElementById('two').firstChild.nodeValue = 'kale';
I only understand this options to the learner practice the node location and some extra functions like replace, despite that for the purpose of the example it make no sense and do not increases the productivity of the learner. I hope that in the following chapters these things are speed up.
Another issue is that the book is from 2014 so it does not cover the most recent improvements in javascript, however, I think that for the beginner that is not a concern since thereafter one can buy a more recent book (not so colorful) or search on the net.
November 8, 2018
As I collect coding books down my coding career, I find myself coming back to the basics from time to time again, and I have heard good things of this book so I decided to give it a shot. Now pretence, I came with about 8+ years of dev time by this time, and there were still some sections I needed a good second/third read. It's not that the book doesn't give examples(I think their visual approach is actually quite welcome from many terse books in the past) but indeed the content is just as it is, it takes time to digest. After finishing, it is quite refreshing to see how much my dev increased over time and how books like these which would feel daunting when I was beginning is now all make sense. Give it a read if you want a nice UI approach to javascript, but its content is more of the scope from learning the terminology, to good coding practices. It doesn't go too in depth, but a nice breath. Hope the author keeps making more of these for other languages!
January 15, 2025
This is a great book on learning JavaScript. It's... dated, discussing browser compatibility issues long since in the past and mentions HTML 5 as an emerging technology. JQuery itself is basically obsolete. This is why I'm only giving it 4 stars.
What makes this book good
1) good in-depth material on using JavaScript in a browser
2) Shows *how* JavaScript can be extended with frameworks (JQuery and a very small bit of Angular)
3) Goes far, far beyond language basics ("This is the syntax of a for loop...") to understand the abstractions that drive how the language works.
That last one is so important. I finally *get* why JavaScript lacks type-safety and how the way it is used turns that into a strength.
What makes this book good
1) good in-depth material on using JavaScript in a browser
2) Shows *how* JavaScript can be extended with frameworks (JQuery and a very small bit of Angular)
3) Goes far, far beyond language basics ("This is the syntax of a for loop...") to understand the abstractions that drive how the language works.
That last one is so important. I finally *get* why JavaScript lacks type-safety and how the way it is used turns that into a strength.
December 8, 2021
5 stars! After reading a handful of development books for my career, Duckett has produced a visually stunning, highly readable, and dare I say, exciting JavaScript how-to book. Not only can this be read end-to-end, it's also an excellent reference manual that will have a home on my desk for the foreseeable future. The code that comes along with it is well maintained in Github as well. I think one large room for improvement would be a few helpful appendices. If you want to have a better understanding of practical JS and JQuery coding, this is your book. Put on your reading pants though, this thing is a monster of a read.
July 16, 2022
Oh! Having this book itself is just satisfying! The pages have a good touch, i bought the paperback for something like 16-ish dollars. Lets not look at the expense but the book itself... The first chapter makes you familiar with how computers think and how javascript works the second chapter makes you comfortable wih the basics the third chapter is more interesting and the forth is aboug loops and then about Dom then about apis and stuff like that! Till the ninth chapter it just talks about usage and the basics. But then comes the advanced part. The book illustrates different function using flowcharts and by the way you should learn css and html first before starting this!
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June 3, 2019I was working on a practice website with HTML5 and CSS3 when I began reading this. The end of the book was really what started to help me add to the website in small ways. Really, it was a great read during my 9-5 call center job, that made me feel like I understood fundamentals, that may have taken longer to learn any other way. It wasn't what helped me code (practice is all that's really helped), but it was a great use of time. I felt like I really accomplished something (not, jQuery though). Great writing and visuals
December 3, 2018
This books is meant to follow the 1st book of the series of Jon Duckett: HTML and CSS.
The styling remains consistent, making for a pleasant reading experience.
I had to skip a lot of pages to get to actual new content for me, as I had previous javascript experience. This is understandable because the book is also meant for newcomers to web development.
The Javascript concepts and APIs were examined thoroughly and the jQuery coverage, even though it's now less popular, was extensive.
The styling remains consistent, making for a pleasant reading experience.
I had to skip a lot of pages to get to actual new content for me, as I had previous javascript experience. This is understandable because the book is also meant for newcomers to web development.
The Javascript concepts and APIs were examined thoroughly and the jQuery coverage, even though it's now less popular, was extensive.
December 29, 2021
A very good book to learn the basics of JavaScript and front-end web development with a very good explanation that is supported with nice visuals, although it has some outdated stuff.
It doesn't cover how JavaScript works and how it is interpreted and doesn't show the difference between JavaScript and Web APIs clearly, which gave me some hard time understanding some code, so I had to google a lot of stuff and watch some tutorials alongside reading the book.
It doesn't cover how JavaScript works and how it is interpreted and doesn't show the difference between JavaScript and Web APIs clearly, which gave me some hard time understanding some code, so I had to google a lot of stuff and watch some tutorials alongside reading the book.
July 3, 2018
If you want to learn more about JavaScript and jQuery, this book is totally a plethora of information. It gives you a wealth of information with the feel of reading a magazine. From Object-Oriented Programming within JavaScript, to manipulating API's, to developing forms, and showing you snippets of code that makes you feel totally involved. It's one to reference from for years to come!
January 9, 2019
The book explores very well the bases of the language, thought for people who begin in programming since it is detailed a lot in general aspects of programming.
It also explores many characteristics of JS that some developers ignore, but the book its excellent for beginning with JS, clearly, illustrated and very well explained.
It also explores many characteristics of JS that some developers ignore, but the book its excellent for beginning with JS, clearly, illustrated and very well explained.
October 8, 2019
Livre très complet. Les illustrations et exemples sont nombreux et accompagnent les sujets présentés. La présentation générale donne un très beau livre avec un contenu accessible.
Very complete book. There are plenty of illustrations and examples cordinated with the text. The general layout create a very beautiful book with an accessible content.
Very complete book. There are plenty of illustrations and examples cordinated with the text. The general layout create a very beautiful book with an accessible content.
May 10, 2020
This book is a great introduction into the JavaScript language and has the best visual design of the content I've seen so far in a technical book. Which is quite an argument for an frontend developer.
I've read the jQuery part in 2015/2016. But I'wouldn't advice anybody to read anything on jQuery in 2020 :)
I've read the jQuery part in 2015/2016. But I'wouldn't advice anybody to read anything on jQuery in 2020 :)
April 17, 2024
This is mostly for beginners in JavaScript, so some chapters may be irrelevant to some readers. Regardless, the information is presented in colorful designs and with eye-catching illustrations.
My Review
My Review
November 1, 2020
great but outdated.
i've been using this book for a while but i droped at chap5. the book is great for beginer but i beleave JS has changed a lot in the past 6 years. MDN has pretty much everything i need as a starter
i've been using this book for a while but i droped at chap5. the book is great for beginer but i beleave JS has changed a lot in the past 6 years. MDN has pretty much everything i need as a starter
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