Learning JavaScript: Where To Start?

https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=1921753

by laujen • 16 years ago

5 6 16 years ago

news.ycombinator.com

I have been programming off and on for a couple of decades. Most recently Obj-C and RonR the past few years with a little Java mixed in. I would like to learn JavaScript, JQuery and JQuery Mobile. I tend to learn better by example than by theory. Given my programming background, where do I start?

yummyfajitas• 16 years ago

Javascript: The Good Parts

http://oreilly.com/catalog/9780596517748/

This teaches you the language. Jquery is just a library on top of that which is fairly simple to learn.

briandoll• 16 years ago

This is arguably the best book on JavaScript. It's a great way to understand the prototypal language, and serves as a good guide on building "proper" code in the conventions best suited for the language.

While I do think this is the best book to learn the language, I think you'll want to dive deep into a framework like jQuery to get things done. Straight JavaScript is very bare-bones, and you'll spend much more time in library code than with bare code.

While I love this book, and I finally feel like I 'get' the somewhat odd prototypal style of JS, it didn't help me get things done any faster.

laujen2• 16 years ago

Thanks. What is your favorite jquery book?

laujen2• 16 years ago

Thanks. I am on the right track then as I have that one and started reading it. Any jquery favorites?

jayliew• 16 years ago

jQuery In Action is how I learned jQuery .. but it's slightly outdated b/c jQuery 1.4 is out

DanielBMarkham• 16 years ago

Here's the last list I got from polling HN recommendations. This is ordered according to the way I would go about it.

http://www.hn-books.com/#B0=41&B1=14&B2=97&B3=89...

I've included a JQuery book because in my opinion JQuery is quickly becoming a de facto part of Javascript.

Learning JavaScript: Where To Start?

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