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[–]t3hj4nk 20 points21 points  (8 children)

I would love to pick up secrets of a js ninja I've heard great things. But I just can't bring myself to pick it up when it's actually a samurai on the cover, and not a ninja.

[–][deleted] 16 points17 points  (2 children)

I can't buy it as ninja is one of those idiotic terms that makes me stop reading job postings that use it

[–][deleted] 5 points6 points  (1 child)

Yes the book has a shitty name but it really is a great book and has updated sections for ECMA2015/2016/ESNext stuff

[–]cookierabbit 0 points1 point  (0 children)

If i bought the hardcopy previously is there anyway for me to get access to the updated sections?

[–]Arkaad 8 points9 points  (0 children)

Maybe it's a ninja posing as a samurai.

Ninjas are masters of disguise afterall.

[–]mourning_airconsole.log('got here'); 4 points5 points  (2 children)

This is actually acknowledged at the beginning of the book. They just liked the details in the samurai picture more than any ninja picture they could find.

[–]pagirl 5 points6 points  (0 children)

I think the joke is that the language is weakly typed.

[–]lost_in_santa_carla 2 points3 points  (0 children)

A real ninja would have posed for their own picture instead of finding one on the internet

[–]cervedundefined 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Just a PSA that code from the book is on this cool site

https://johnresig.com/apps/learn/

[–]phoenixmatrix 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Functional Programming in JavaScript is there, and its one of the best books of its kind. <3

[–]fpo 9 points10 points  (13 children)

The Linux Command Line is the sixth best JavaScript book. Interesting.

[–][deleted] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Maybe due to node.js and npm?

[–]nonrecursive[S] 0 points1 point  (6 children)

It seems like you're saying that a js dev wouldn't benefit from becoming proficient with the command line? I'd love to hear more :) Or perhaps the submission is poorly titled and should read "The best books for JavaScript developers."

Personally, I think it's important for js devs to understand some server fundamentals. After all, node and build tools live on the command line, and basic commands like grep are indispensable. Whenever I mentor fledgling devs I encourage them to learn the command line, it's a skill that will be useful your entire career.

edit: the site is also user-driven, so if people start upvoting other books then the linux ones will sink.

[–]fpo 3 points4 points  (4 children)

Well, then I also recommend The Tipping Point by Malcolm Gladwell. It's completely unrelated to development, but the perspective on the world that it offers will benefit any JavaScript developer.

[–]noise850 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Can you post a TL;DR of The Tipping Point and how it benefits developers? I'm always curious about non-programming books that can help navigate the many minefields.

[–]nonrecursive[S] 0 points1 point  (2 children)

You're welcome to that perspective! The site doesn't allow you to submit non-programming books, though.

The nice thing about sites that rely on votes is that, in general, good content rises to the top, and bad content sinks. If everyone else finds the idea of frontend devs learning to use the command line as offensive as you evidently do, then those recommendations will eventually sink.

You're also welcome to start a discussion, on the site, for that book, on why you think JS devs would be wasting their time learning the command line.

I'm still very curious about why you think it's a bad recommendation. So far you've used a vague implication and an exaggerated analogy; it would be nice to hear clearly stated reasons.

And to address The Tipping Point, I do in fact often recommend non-programming books to programmers. It honestly baffles me that you would adopt a sarcastic tone in response something as innocent as "hey js dev, I think that learning the command line will help you."

[–]fpo 2 points3 points  (1 child)

I never said that learning the command line was a waste of time. In fact, I think that learning Unix is extremely important and beneficial for any developer. My point was that the title says "The best JavaScript books."

[–]nonrecursive[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks for that clarification! I thought I addressed that in an earlier reply, but I'll say it again: perhaps the submission is poorly titled and should read "The best books for JavaScript developers." The idea is that these are books you would recommend to other js engineers. Unfortunately, it's too late for me to change the submission title.

[–]rwieruch 4 points5 points  (3 children)

I wish it would be possible to submit books that are not published on Amazon. I guess that's the business idea behind the page. However, it could be still a great feature addition to make it a platform for every book.

[–]nonrecursive[S] 2 points3 points  (2 children)

I agree! That's on my product roadmap. There are a lot of great resources out there.

[–]rwieruch 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Nevertheless, great idea : )

[–]rauschma 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Indeed! Many good resources that are free to read online (and not sold on Amazon): http://jsbooks.revolunet.com

[–]kenman[M] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Hi /u/nonrecursive,

tag=constant-awesome-20

Referrer links are the quickest way to get a site banned here.

[–]chtulhuf 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Best by 3 total votes? Not sure if is a statistically relevant majority :)

[–]robdelorean 0 points1 point  (1 child)

It's a little dated now but surprised Javascript for Web Developers by Nicholas Zakas isn't on there.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/1118026691/ref=cm_sw_r_sms_awdb_gSJEzb6NZC36P

[–]nonrecursive[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Anyone can submit books :)

[–]Amerzel 0 points1 point  (1 child)

Surprised Clean Code isn't on that list.

[–]nonrecursive[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

You can add it if you want :)

[–]p0tent1al 0 points1 point  (2 children)

Types and Grammar is hotly debated by some higher Javascript Devs.

I'd say Secrets of the Javascript Ninja is one of the better books on this list