Hello.

 

I want to start learning Javascript next.

 

I am an absolute beginner and was wondering if anyone could recommend me a good book to read?

 

I usually buy the Sitepoint books as I get on well with them but the book for Javascript has poor reviews on Amazon.

 

I do want a book as that is what I learn best from.

 

Many thanks

James

I would highly recommened this book:

 

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Professional-JavaScript-Developers-Nicholas-Zakas/dp/1118026691/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1393252318&sr=8-3&keywords=javascript

 

The pace is excellent and all of the content is presented will in accesible chunks - its not in tiny chapters, it just reads really well to me. Before I got this book, I had javascript the definitive guide by o'rielly and whilst that is a good book, its far too dense for me.

 

Javascript for Web Developers was the first book I owned by Wrox and I love the style and will always go for that publisher if I can - obviously you may not like the style but check out the book in a book store first if you can to see what its like - then get it online

 

The book I gave you a link for is not for designers/beginner programmers but developers coming from other languages or someone who knows the basics of Javascript and wants to know more about the language.

 

Plus, it tells you about browser inconstancies if there are any and what to do about them

I've never found the time to fully commit to learning JS properly, but if I decided to I'd use this site.

 

http://javascriptissexy.com/how-to-learn-javascript-properly/

I would highly recommened this book:

 

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Professional-JavaScript-Developers-Nicholas-Zakas/dp/1118026691/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1393252318&sr=8-3&keywords=javascript

 

The pace is excellent and all of the content is presented will in accesible chunks - its not in tiny chapters, it just reads really well to me. Before I got this book, I had javascript the definitive guide by o'rielly and whilst that is a good book, its far too dense for me.

 

Javascript for Web Developers was the first book I owned by Wrox and I love the style and will always go for that publisher if I can - obviously you may not like the style but check out the book in a book store first if you can to see what its like - then get it online

 

The book I gave you a link for is not for designers/beginner programmers but developers coming from other languages or someone who knows the basics of Javascript and wants to know more about the language.

 

Plus, it tells you about browser inconstancies if there are any and what to do about them

 

Thanks - it does look a good book but I know absolutely nothing about Javascript so probably not beginner enough?

I would say get on Codecademy great place to start...learn while doing is the best way.

+1 to Codecademy

not sure how much new you are, in my opinion better start with HTML and when feel confidence enough, progress to javascript and css

Thanks - it does look a good book but I know absolutely nothing about Javascript so probably not beginner enough?

 

I have the book in front of me and it says that its either for :

• Developers in other languages such as Java, PHP, C++
• Web app developers
• Novice javascript developers (Thats why I got it), wanting to expand their knowledge.

If your from a strictly designer background and only have experience of HTML and CSS, this book will probably be a bit heavy but if you already understand core programming concepts like:

• variables
• loops
• conditionals
• Objects (at a push)

Then I would recommend it. The books third chapter is entitled 'Language basics' and it goes through the concepts that I listed above but only in terms of that language and not programming theory.

 

For some context, I starting reading this book as a PHP/ novice Ruby developer so I already had some experience. Having said that, Javascript works a little differently from other languages (its prototype based) and I have heard others say that it might actually be better to learn Javascript as a first language rather than coming from a more 'standard' OO language like PHP,Java etc and then trying to learn it. Everyone is different though.

 

Good luck on your Javascript quest!

 

PS +1 for Code Academy - it will give you a great intro to the language

+1 for the book Mr Ben suggested - it is a fantastic resource, however I found this book to be easier for beginners to grasp:

 

http://www.amazon.co.uk/JavaScript-The-Definitive-Guide-Guides/dp/0596805527/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1393339065&sr=8-1&keywords=javascript

I would say get on Codecademy great place to start...learn while doing is the best way.

 

I have taken up the recommendations and it looks good so far.

 

I am also going to buy Jumpstart Javascript https://learnable.com/books/jump-start-javascript

 

Thanks for your help.

Give Treehouse a go. It's free for 2 weeks and I find that their learning style is great. I've got on really well with it and now subscribe to learn other skills.