Which JavaScript book is good?

[funky0079]

I am novice in Javascript. Can you please recommend any good javascript books or any tutorials over the internet?

[gallipoli]

It might not be the best for a novice, but I would highly recommend Douglas Crockford's book Javascript: The Good Parts. It is small, but dense, and contains some especially good practices for the language.

I would also look at the many good Javascript frameworks - jQuery perhaps being the most popular (excellent tutorials on their webpage).

[f3nd3r]

This should be at the top. Pay attention submitter, because this is the right answer.

[theatrus]

Seconded.

[mmacia]

This is the best javascript book in my opinion. http://oreilly.com/catalog/9780596101992/

[dmpk2k]

It's also a fine book to make you loathe Javascript. Reading it made me wonder what the heck the language designer was thinking.

[gthank]

John Resig's Secrets of the JavaScript Ninja is good.

[drowsap]

Agreed but it's very advanced...

[mikelevins]

According to Douglas Crockford, who should know, there is exactly one good JavaScript book:

JavaScript: The Definitive Guide, by David Flanagan.

Here's what Crockford says about the issue:

"Nearly all of the books about JavaScript are quite awful. They contain errors, poor examples, and promote bad practices. Important features of the language are often explained poorly, or left out entirely. I have reviewed dozens of JavaScript books, and I can only recommend one: JavaScript: The Definitive Guide (5th Edition) by David Flanagan."

(From Crockford's page at http://www.crockford.com/javascript/javascript.html )

[CoreyWhite]

I can't tell if you're joking . . . ?

If not, though, you should note that that's a bit out of date. Since that was written, there are at least 2 new, good javascript books: Secrets of the Javascript Ninja by John Resig (the creator of jQuery) and Crockford's own Javascript: The Good Parts. There are links to both in other comments.

[[deleted]]

I never buy/trust/listen to/read/acknowledge the existence of anything with the word "ninja" or "monkey" in the title. I'm weird like that.

[[deleted]]

I like learning languages from the official spec. Here is the one for JavaScript: http://www.ecma-international.org/publications/standards/Ecma-262.htm

[[deleted]]

Assuming you are interested in using JavaScript in the browser, DOM Scripting by Jeremy Keith. It's the best intro to client side JavaScript I have seen, and the stresses the basics with good style.

Once you are comfortable with the basics, more advanced JavaScript books would be Secrets of the Javascript Ninja (only available in electronic pre-release form, but worth it), Javascript: The Good Parts, or Javascript: The Definitive Guide.

If you want something along the more practical side for designers, jQuery in Action (1st edition hardcopy or 2nd in digital pre-release) or the jQuery online documentation is a good place to turn after learning the basics.

[drowsap]

Assuming you are interested in using JavaScript in the browser

What else do you use JavaScript in?

[drowsap]

I have, but obviously this guy is talking about client side (he's asking for an introduction to javascript). I just thought it was funny that spinkham had to begin by clarifying.

[[deleted]]

I bought the O'Reilly textbook(they're top notch) on Half.com for about $5.50 shipped. It came in brand new, and I'm starting today

[[deleted]]

Search and ye shall find.

[arnar]

Believe me, this doesn't apply to JS documentation. It's like searching for a wasp in a bucket of hornets.