What do you think?
Rate this book
Missing Manuals
HTML5: The Missing Manual
HTML5 is more than a markup language―it’s a collection of several independent web standards. Fortunately, this expanded guide covers everything you need in one convenient place. With step-by-step tutorials and real-world examples, The Missing Manual shows you how to build web apps that include video tools, dynamic graphics, geolocation, offline features, and responsive layouts for mobile devices. The important stuff you need to
517 pages, Paperback
First published August 1, 2011
50 people are currently reading
236 people want to read
About the author
Matthew MacDonald
179 books25 followersMatthew MacDonald is a science and technology writer with well over a dozen books to his name. He's particularly known for his books about building websites, which include a do-it-from-scratch tutorial (Creating a Website: The Missing Manual), a look at cutting-edge HTML5 (HTML5: The Missing Manual), and a WordPress primer (WordPress: The Missing Manual). He's also written a series of books about programming on and off the Web with .NET, teaches programming at Ryerson University, and is a three-time Microsoft MVP.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
December 5, 2014
I bought this to get up to speed on HTML5 since most web coding I do uses a mish-mash of pretty much every previous version. I rather liked the Missing Manual approach. This was well-written and easy to follow. Gave me lots of ideas for things I can update in my HTML code.
August 28, 2012
I know everyone on goodreads is dying to know that I read this guidebook.
July 25, 2021
The advent of HTML5 enabled much advancement in the design of Internet apps. New markup went hand-in-hand with improvements in JavaScript and CSS3. Together, these set the course for web design up to the present (at least, in 2021). This book, though last updated in 2014, still presents the clearest explanation of these technological advances. However, to access this clarity, the reader has to overlook copious references to outdated browser versions along with older (but still working) versions of JavaScript code.
MacDonald takes us through how to use HTML5 and more importantly, how it helps us write more effective webpages. Some of this information is already “out there” in the web community, but this book is thorough enough to contain several nuanced pearls. For instance, it covers HTML5 syntax and the canvas element particularly well.
Accompanying technologies JavaScript and CSS3 are addressed in detail in the main text. Appendices cover introductions to these topics, so the reader doesn’t need to worry if she/he is unfamiliar with either or both. MacDonald’s clear writing shows an uncanny ability to get readers up-to-speed on details of all of these languages, each with unique issues.
Even though seven years is an eternity in the world of tech, I found much of this text still relevant to me as a web developer. Of course, I wish the text could be updated to cover current browsers and breaking issues, but the underlying technology hasn’t changed that much in the recent past. This work can easily be helpful to software developers as well as IT project managers who want to know what’s technologically feasible. HTML5 is a lighter topic as far as software goes, and MacDonald’s writing style is very accessible. This combination makes the book accessible to a wider audience of those involved in software. (Aren’t most of us involved to some degree these days?)
Overall, this work can still empower readers to master the nuances of HTML5, JavaScript, and CSS3. Even after developing web software for decades, I still picked up several insights and inspirations for thought. If you read this text, I hope you do as well.
MacDonald takes us through how to use HTML5 and more importantly, how it helps us write more effective webpages. Some of this information is already “out there” in the web community, but this book is thorough enough to contain several nuanced pearls. For instance, it covers HTML5 syntax and the canvas element particularly well.
Accompanying technologies JavaScript and CSS3 are addressed in detail in the main text. Appendices cover introductions to these topics, so the reader doesn’t need to worry if she/he is unfamiliar with either or both. MacDonald’s clear writing shows an uncanny ability to get readers up-to-speed on details of all of these languages, each with unique issues.
Even though seven years is an eternity in the world of tech, I found much of this text still relevant to me as a web developer. Of course, I wish the text could be updated to cover current browsers and breaking issues, but the underlying technology hasn’t changed that much in the recent past. This work can easily be helpful to software developers as well as IT project managers who want to know what’s technologically feasible. HTML5 is a lighter topic as far as software goes, and MacDonald’s writing style is very accessible. This combination makes the book accessible to a wider audience of those involved in software. (Aren’t most of us involved to some degree these days?)
Overall, this work can still empower readers to master the nuances of HTML5, JavaScript, and CSS3. Even after developing web software for decades, I still picked up several insights and inspirations for thought. If you read this text, I hope you do as well.
December 20, 2022
I'll be back
I bought this book because I saw that five on the cover and said to myself, I been gone that long?
I've always appreciated "the missing manual" series. And for decades O'Reilly has been my choice of publisher. So, it was a no-brainer to purchase this book written by Matthew MacDonald.
Why was I surprised to find out that HTML5 is not real? Okay, it's real but it's really like English. There are two camps when speaking English; one wants you to use old-timey latten construction; the other camp says anything goes as long as it's understandable. That is the thrust of the purpose of this book to let you know that HTML is back but anything goes as long as it is understandable.
I've learned a lot from this book and it is saved my bacon several times. However, if you're new to HTML you might want to read one of the old-timey classics before tackling the new freedom of HTML 5.
I do not dog year or underlying books; however, I have sure worn this one out and still have not finished with it by a long shot. If you do not have a copy of this book what have you been doing?
The CD is not missing from this manual as the information and examples from the chapters can be accessed online.
I bought this book because I saw that five on the cover and said to myself, I been gone that long?
I've always appreciated "the missing manual" series. And for decades O'Reilly has been my choice of publisher. So, it was a no-brainer to purchase this book written by Matthew MacDonald.
Why was I surprised to find out that HTML5 is not real? Okay, it's real but it's really like English. There are two camps when speaking English; one wants you to use old-timey latten construction; the other camp says anything goes as long as it's understandable. That is the thrust of the purpose of this book to let you know that HTML is back but anything goes as long as it is understandable.
I've learned a lot from this book and it is saved my bacon several times. However, if you're new to HTML you might want to read one of the old-timey classics before tackling the new freedom of HTML 5.
I do not dog year or underlying books; however, I have sure worn this one out and still have not finished with it by a long shot. If you do not have a copy of this book what have you been doing?
The CD is not missing from this manual as the information and examples from the chapters can be accessed online.
May 3, 2018
This really was a very fine programming reference. A little outdated, but that doesn't matter too much.
April 29, 2012
This is a good book for anyone who wants to explore the possibilities of HTML5. What I took away from the book, however, was that until a larger number of browsers get up to speed (notably Internet Explorer), HTML5 is not a wise choice for building a new (or updating an existing) website.
Heads-up: The is an example driven book - not a tutorial driven book. I was looking for the latter and bought the 'missing manual' offering because other 'missing manual' texts I've used were tutorial driven.
That being said, this is a competent look into HTML5 and I'd recommend it to anyone who is interest in what the future holds for web development.
Heads-up: The is an example driven book - not a tutorial driven book. I was looking for the latter and bought the 'missing manual' offering because other 'missing manual' texts I've used were tutorial driven.
That being said, this is a competent look into HTML5 and I'd recommend it to anyone who is interest in what the future holds for web development.
February 4, 2016
Matthew MacDonald is one of my favourite IT authors, and this book does not disappoint. I always like the way he uses very useful and practical solutions to real-life programming problems as his teaching examples. And despite the fact that this book is called "HTML5", I actually learnt quite a bit about CSS and Javascript in this book. Highly recommended.
January 7, 2013
It's a decent overview of HTML5. Not really a programming guide, but gives a good introduction to all of the features.
Shows a dislike for Internet Explorer fairly often, which got a little tiresome.
Shows a dislike for Internet Explorer fairly often, which got a little tiresome.
December 21, 2011
I have never been disappointed in the Missing Manual series. Easy to follow, pertinent material. As a bonus, the author provides a review of CSS and JavaScript (essential elements for HTML5).
March 29, 2013
Decent overview, but little coverage of new features like Canvass and the new File system and Data APIs.
January 14, 2013
This one was a good start for those of you wanting to learn. However, like any reference book like this. Don't rely on just one source of information.
September 16, 2014
Amied at people with knowledge of HTML/CSS/Javascript who want to get up to speed with the new symanics and features that have come about with HTML5.
November 25, 2015
A gem for every newbie web guy.
Currently reading
January 8, 2017this book is good
November 8, 2012
Great to see my favorite language making it's way back to the top!
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews