Best book for Learning js?

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Started by MaGicBush 17 posts View original ↗
  1. MaGicBush
    #1 Source
    Sorry if this has been asked before, but I scrolled back a page or 2 and didn't see a topic. Im wanting to find a good book to learn js. I learn best from having a seperate book that I Can reference, and I find books way easier on my eyes than using websites. Anyone have some good suggestions to someone that has never touched Java script before? I do have some coding experience in the past, but it was years ago and was called byond based after C.

    I tried some libraries around town but the books are on hold for weeks. So I was going to just buy one.

    Thanks for any help!
  2. Poryg
    #2 Source
    I'm not sure I can recommend you a good book. I just had a basic tutorial on sololearn, the rest was experience.
  3. MushroomCake28
    #3 Source
    Me too. I learned javascript by watching a one hour tutorial video, then by coding and experience. I already knew how to code (just not in javascript), so I just need to learn the new syntax.

    But the first programming language I learned, I just watched many tutorials online and practice reproducing them.
  4. Zeriab
    #4 Source
    Personally I really liked the following books:
    • JavaScript: The Good Parts
    • Eloquent JavaScript
    Given your past experience in a C-like language JavaScript: The Good Parts is at pointing out the weirdness of JavaScript like the famous == strangeness and odd scooping. How weird they seem depends on how experienced you got.
  5. Poryg
    #5 Source
    Yup. I do C++ with a book and tutorials as constant references as well, but core Javascript is far simpler than core C++. The reason for that is simply that Javascript has a very open syntax compared to C++.
  6. Kima_Prince
    #6 Source
    I find that not many really use books to learn language like Javascript these days. In college a few years ago my professor had us use JavaScript & JQuery The Missing Manual however, we didn't really use the book.

    Starting with a book can be great, but it's always good to learn from more than one resource and to practice. https://wesbos.com/javascript30/ Wes Bos has a free Javascript course which has you create 30 projects with just vanilla Javascript. I'd look into that when you want to get some practice in.

    There are so many free resources I wouldn't dish out too much money trying to learn Javascript though.
  7. Zeriab
    #7 Source
    Comparing the grammar of JavaScript with the grammar of a programming language you know can be really helpful. In my case going through the JavaScript grammar while comparing to the Ruby grammar helped a bunch ^^
  9. MaGicBush
    #9 Source
    Thanks everyone. I'm mainly wanting to use a book because reading a bunch on my led screen hurts my eyes. My eyesight is pretty bad anymore. Also with books it's easy to take on the go.
  10. Dr.Yami
    #10 Source
    After tons of proposals for JS, I don't think there will be good enough book :(
  11. MaGicBush
    #11 Source
    Actually I find one called Javascript and jquery by Jon ducket. It has alot of illustrations and is easy to read. Thanks for the help anyways :D.
  12. MaGicBush
    #12 Source
    I plan to read the 'Javascript and jquery' to learn the basics that I just grabbed from Barnes and Noble. After that I plan to read 'Eloquent Javascript' as Zeriab suggested(only spent $40 all together), and then use the online sources you guys linked. With that I should have good enough knowledge in a few month's to start on the game I am designing, and as an added bonus I will be learning CSS, and PHP and should be able to design a nice website for it as well. I decided on the books since it was literally years ago as I said(about 15 to be exact lol), and I have forgotten a lot of what I learned besides the basics. I have some free time now so it seemed like a good time to work on all of this instead of keeping up with my bad habits lately.

    I will grab the ebook version of the 'Javascript: The Good Parts' as well later on possibly. Thanks again guys!
  13. Dr.Yami
    #13 Source
    I suggest not to taking jQuery seriously, it's a legacy library and people are slowly removing it from their website. (Example Github)
  14. _Shadow_
    #14 Source
    You might find Head First Javascript Programming interesting.
    Coding with Javascript for dummies is another one.
    There is also Javascript for Kids for Dummies.

    Since books are expensive though, just consider visiting a bookstore and taking a look at them before buying them, if possible.
    Check what suits you best.

    You should focus on JS basics and NOT extensions.
    You learn the basics first, then you can dive into whatever exotic adventures of anger you wanna put yourself into, like a graphics engine for instance. :p
  15. MaGicBush
    #15 Source
    Thanks guys. Ill skip the last part of that book on jquery.
  16. Jonforum
    #16 Source
    this is the best library to learn
    http://vanilla-js.com/
    :stache::stache::stache:
    it the most fast performance