Ask Hacker Node.js: Which JavaScript book should I get?

https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=2447840

by Apocryphon • 15 years ago

7 6 15 years ago

news.ycombinator.com

HN has turned me into a convert of Node.js, which I need to learn for other reasons anyways. However, my background in JS is very sketchy. I've already been going through the wonderful Eloquent Javascript guide (http://eloquentjavascript.net/contents.html), but I'd like to get my hands on a real book in hard-copy that's more comprehensive.

I've narrowed it down to two O'Reilly books:

JavaScript: the Definitive Guide - Sounds solid, but I'm afraid of it being a bit too comprehensive to have to go through. And there's a new edition being released in summer, so I'm considering postponing waiting to get that one.

JavaScript: the Good Parts - I've heard a lot of acclaim for this book, almost universal. Then late last night I saw this rant and it gives me great pause now: http://goo.gl/oa9pj

However, I'm also willing to consider any other books, including non-O'Reilly ones.

Also, is the upcoming Up and Running With Node.js worth looking into? I suppose I should ask that after it's actually released and hopefully reviewed on HN.

sradnidge2• 15 years ago

I wouldnt be put off reading The Good Parts by that post, although it does raise some valid points IMHO. The point is, the author of that blog post probably wouldn't have even known about those things had they not read the book. Whether something is 'good' or 'bad' is somewhat subjective. Check out Crockford's YUI Theatre lectures (http://yuiblog.com/crockford/) to get a taste of what you'll be in store for in that book.

At some point in those videos he mentions a book called The Little Schemer - I haven't read that but the reviews on Amazon look decent and if Crockford calls it out as useful you should probably not ignore it.

I found a really good book to be Object Oriented JavaScript from Packt (http://www.packtpub.com/object-oriented-javascript/book). Unlike most other js books, it spends a good few hundred pages without mentioning browsers. I seem to recommend their books a fair bit, no I do not have anything to gain from doing so :)

Finally, once you start getting stuck into things go hang out in the #node.js IRC channel. IRC is still probably the best technical resource out there as far as I'm concerned, especially when the community is as friendly as the #node.js regulars are.

Apocryphon• 15 years ago

Is it possible to learn JS from The Good Parts? From what I've heard, it seems to be more for reinforcing good practices for those already familiar with the language.

sradnidge2• 15 years ago

I'm not sure, since I learned JavaScript way before I read The Good Parts. But avoiding the bad parts from the start will at least ensure you develop coding practices in line with the good parts, which is a great thing :)

nailer• 15 years ago

I'd learn JS with Rebecca Murphey's book. I haven't seen anything better.

I'd also read, and think about, accepting or denying what Crockford says. A lot of what he says is great, a lot of it - adding custom methods to inbuilt classes (potentially conflicting with some other libraries custom modifications) rather than redefining your own classes for example - isn't.

ichilton• 15 years ago

I've not read it personally but i've seen recommendations for: Professional JavaScript for Web Developers, 2nd Edition by Nicholas C. Zakas and published by Wrox.

jackkinsella• 15 years ago

I prefer to learn from reading code examples and so I found a freely available online book called jQuery Fundamentals (Rebecca Murphey) helpful. Although it's focus is on jQuery, the introduction to Javascript is second to none: http://jqfundamentals.com/book/index.html