Where is the best online Javascript language documentation?

Question

When I do a search, the results are a bit hit-and-miss; many of the 'documentation' sites seem more advertising than information. What are the good sources of Javascript language info on the web?

Answer 1

I've found w3schools to be a good source of information on javascript and web development in general:

http://w3schools.com/jsref/default.asp http://w3schools.com/js/default.asp

Answer 2

Sun's docs are very good... http://docs.sun.com/source/816-6408-10/

Answer 3

http://www.gotapi.com/jsdomw3s which uses w3schools

Answer 4

http://krook.org/jsdom/

Answer 5

I really like the DevGuru Javascript index. It's not very useful as a tutorial, but if you already know how to use Javascript and want to look something up, then it's invaluable. Every function and object has its own page, and certain object methods also have their own pages when they need to explain a lot and provide examples. I use this all the time when I find myself asking questions like "How do I add options to a dropdown" or "What string methods does Javascript have".

You can find it at http://www.devguru.com/Technologies/ecmascript/quickref/javascript_intro.html

Answer 6

I really like the MSDN docs for this topic. I just think they are easy to navigate and are fairly complete.

As a HTML DOM scripting reference I use this link (this is what I need most of the time):

http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms533050.aspx

It lists all of the HTML objects and associated methods which is very useful.

For a pure language reference there is this:

http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/z688wt03(VS.71).aspx

This goes into the details and structure of the actual language (EcmaScript or JScript or JavaScript) and is very useful for understanding what is generally possible.

These two resources together are a very thorough reference of what you can do with JavaScript within the context of web development.

Answer 7

The Mozilla Developer Connection is pretty good: http://developer.mozilla.org/

Answer 8

If you want to learn little bit more than the typical 'HOW TO DO' samples and Javascript reference material available on web, you should really check out Javascript articles by Douglas Crockford..

Answer 9

Opera's Developer Community Javascript page isn't a language reference, but is one of the more useful resources I've come across. It is not updated all that often.

Answer 10

QuirksMode.org has always been my favorite. Very clear descriptions that integrate browser differences.

Answer 11

This guy's site is pretty good: http://javascript.crockford.com/. This one is pretty good too: http://www.hunlock.com/blogs/Functional_Javascript. But they're more like finishing courses.

Answer 12

I prefer http://references2.com, quick search, even better when you use several technologies (who wouldn't?).

Answer 13

Another great site, although it doesn't show up often in Google searches is irt.org specifically the JavaScript FAQ

Answer 14

http://www.ecmascript.org/docs.php

Answer 15

I've been looking at online documentation for JavaScript too and it really varies - some is just about using JavaScript for manipulating the DOM and does not discuss the core language.

If you want the straight info, without any marketing, go straight to the ECMA standard.

It's dry, but informative. If it is too dry for you, I agree with others that Crockford and Yegge both have published a lot of great material that is much more interesting. I've been jumping back and forth to try and get a balanced understanding.