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JavaScript Book Recommendation

Gaius Baltar

Commander
Red Shirt
I am starting JavaScript and wondering if anyone has any suggestions on what are the best books for someone with previous programming experience of other languages.
 
I have this book. It's a very good reference if you're getting started. Remember, though, JS is really just based on ECMAScript. Learn how ECMA is set up and you're basically set. You can move from that to ActionScript and several other languages that are roughly similar (being descended from ECMA).

The book I linked does not deal with AJAX, as I recall. You'd want another book for that, if AJAX is why you're taking up JavaScript.
 
To learn new stuff, I usually use a SamsNet book series - "X in 30 Days"-type books. It's quite methodical in its tutorials for the beginner. I agree with Robert Maxwell that the JS Bible is top-notch for reference, but only once you have a functional knowledge of the subject matter. I would not recommend it for learning up front, but that's just my opinion.
 
The JS Bible is chock full of examples, too. It's not just a language reference, it walks you through a wide variety of JS applications. But it does include a complete (as of its writing) language reference.

If you are a new to programming, though, you probably would want a more beginner-level or tutorial-oriented book (like the Dummies series).
 
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