Professional JavaScript for Web Developers

This book provides a developer-level introduction along with more advanced and useful features of JavaScript. Coverage includes: * JavaScript use with HTML to create dynamic webpages, language concepts including syntax and flow control statements * variable handling given their loosely typed nature * built-in reference types such as object and array * object-oriented programing * powerful aspects of function expressions * Browser Object Model allowing interaction with the browser itself * detecting the client and its capabilities * Document Object Model (DOM) objects available in DOM Level 1 * how DOM Levels 2 and 3 augmented the DOM * events, legacy support, and how the DOM redefined how events should work * enhancing form interactions and working around browser limitations * using the tag to create on-the-fly graphics * JavaScript API changes in HTML5 * how browsers handle JavaScript errors and error handling * features of JavaScript used to read and manipulate XML data * the JSON data format as an alternative to XML * Ajax techniques including the use of XMLHttpRequest object and CORS * complex patterns including function currying, partial function application, and dynamic functions * offline detection and storing data on the client machine * techniques for JavaScript in an enterprise environment for better maintainability This book is aimed at three groups of readers: Experienced object-oriented programming developers looking to learn JavaScript as it relates to traditional OO languages such as Java and C++; Web application developers attempting to enhance site usability; novice JavaScript developers. Nicholas C. Zakas worked with the Web for over a decade. He has worked on corporate intranet applications used by some of the largest companies in the world and large-scale consumer websites such as MyYahoo! and the Yahoo! homepage. He regularly gives talks at companies and conferences regarding front-end best practices and new technology.