=== JavaScript is actually not that ugly. ===
June 12, 2013 12:12 PM   Subscribe

I'd like to learn basic CoffeeScript for a one-off project, but most of the books I've seen come from the perspective of the JS developer making the leap to CS. JS is ubiquitous and will no doubt come in handy in many more situations. What is a good pocket library of 3-4 books for someone new to JS and front-end web dev stuff, but not new to programming concepts? (For example, my C pocket library is K&R, Deep C secrets, and C: A Reference Manual. I know that the front-end web world is a lot richer than C-world, but do what you can to help me.)
posted by Nomyte to Computers & Internet (5 answers total) 18 users marked this as a favorite
 
Javascript: The Definitive Guide used to be quite the bible but since I'm a few years away from being active in Javascript development I don't know if it is still as widely used.

Javascript: The Good Parts focuses on good programming practices in Javascript.

jQuery: Novice to Ninja can help you get up to speed fast on jQuery.
posted by matildaben at 12:17 PM on June 12, 2013


A handful here to look at.

I favour eloquent JS and the book on design patterns.
posted by urbanwhaleshark at 12:20 PM on June 12, 2013


Seconding Javascript: The Good Parts--I had a lot of fun reading it as somebody with a BS in CS. And JTDG is still widely touted as the most comprehensive if you want to have a deep understanding of the language (including the nitty gritty of closures).
posted by foxfirefey at 12:21 PM on June 12, 2013 [2 favorites]


I'd say just watch Crockford on JavaScript (that's the author of a book recommended above), read this blog post, read this presentation on debugging (it's not just about jQuery; generate source maps for your CoffeeScript so you can do it), and dive in from there, looking at Eloquent JavaScript if you need more basic instruction or plowing ahead into CoffeeScript docs if you don't.
posted by Monsieur Caution at 1:08 PM on June 12, 2013 [2 favorites]


Thirding Javascript: The Good Parts.

I have not yet read it (I do own it), but Resig's book looks good. (Resig is the guy that wrote jQuery).
posted by contrarian at 6:07 PM on June 12, 2013


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