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Getting started with Javascript and AJAX

Hi all,

I'm interested in learning Javascript with an eye towards using it for
client-side user interfaces for web services, and I have a couple
questions.

First -- In reading some of the archives here, I've noticed a fairly
strongly held opinion that it is better to write purpose-built
Javascript than to use large libraries. Since this was what I was
planning on doing anyway, because of the size of the libraries and
compatibility quirks with Safari, it's nice to hear confirmation from
experts. That said, is the code in Prototype, Scriptaculous, and
OpenRico good enough to be worth reading and emulating?

Second -- I do much better with dead-tree references than with the
web, especially as a lot of the links that come up when I google for
Javascript topics are tutorials for the clueless by the clueless.
(Perl has the same problem, but with Perl I have enough knowledge to
filter the useful bits from the flat-out wrong bits.) Aside from the
O'Reilly Javascript reference (which I have) and _Ajax Hacks_ (which I
also have), are there other good references I should get my hands on?

Charlton
--
Charlton Wilbur
cw*****@chromatico.net
Aug 30 '06 #1
1 1198
Charlton Wilbur said the following on 8/30/2006 10:10 AM:
Hi all,

I'm interested in learning Javascript with an eye towards using it for
client-side user interfaces for web services, and I have a couple
questions.

First -- In reading some of the archives here, I've noticed a fairly
strongly held opinion that it is better to write purpose-built
Javascript than to use large libraries. Since this was what I was
planning on doing anyway, because of the size of the libraries and
compatibility quirks with Safari, it's nice to hear confirmation from
experts. That said, is the code in Prototype, Scriptaculous, and
OpenRico good enough to be worth reading and emulating?
Absolutely not. It could be argued that it is worth reading to see what
*not* to do. But emulating it? Never. Unless your standards are that low :)
Second -- I do much better with dead-tree references than with the
web, especially as a lot of the links that come up when I google for
Javascript topics are tutorials for the clueless by the clueless.
Welcome to scripting tutorials on the web. At least you didn't fall for
them and learn the bad practices they tend to teach.
(Perl has the same problem, but with Perl I have enough knowledge to
filter the useful bits from the flat-out wrong bits.) Aside from the
O'Reilly Javascript reference (which I have) and _Ajax Hacks_ (which I
also have), are there other good references I should get my hands on?
This newsgroup, and it's archives, are the best reference you could ever
hope to find. The help you get here can never be duplicated in a book or
website. Never.

--
Randy
comp.lang.javascript FAQ - http://jibbering.com/faq & newsgroup weekly
Javascript Best Practices - http://www.JavascriptToolbox.com/bestpractices/
Aug 30 '06 #2

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