Good JavaScript Books?

Question

I find myself using Javascript day to day without a solid understanding of the language. There are some great writeups out there about using specific features of the language, but I'd like a distilled, printed book reference about the language itself.

Please list good books that discuss the JavaScript language; not frameworks, usage and quirks.

Answer 1

The javascript book from o'reilly is great.

Javascript The Definitive guide

Answer 2

Book: I like the Rhino book

i know you asked for books but I love the sample code at Doc JavaScript http://www.webreference.com/js/

Answer 3

I thought JavaScript: the Definitive Guide was a nice one.

http://oreilly.com/catalog/9780596101992/index.html

Answer 4

Douglas Crockford's recent JavaScript: The Good Parts from O'Reilly is an excellent overview of the JavaScript language from a Computer Science/Programming point of view. How Objects/Inheritance works, what language constructs are available, how scope works, how closure works, etc.

It also highlights some features Crockford thinks are "Bad" and to be avoided. Whether or not you agree with him it's good background information to have.

Answer 5

Another vote for JavaScript: The Definitive Guide.

Answer 6

w3Schools has one of the simplest material.

Answer 7

Javascript: The definitive guide explains the core JavaScript language in detail

Answer 8

For the most part, I am familiar with basic syntax or can look that up easily. It tends to be the properties and built-in functions I really struggle to find a good reference for. That's why I try to snag the O'Reilly Pocket reference for every language I have to work in. The JavaScript one is particularly handy.

Answer 9

• Secrets of the JavaScript Ninja by John Resig (the creator of jQuery) http://www.manning.com/resig/
• JavaScript: The Definitive Guide by David Flanagan : amazon link

Answer 10

I've found these two books to be universally embraced:

JavaScript: The Definitive Guide by David Flanagan

and

JavaScript: The Good Parts by Douglas Crockford

You might also be interested in viewing Crockford speak over at Yahoo Video:

Douglas Crockford: "The JavaScript Programming Language"/1 of 4

Douglas Crockford: "The JavaScript Programming Language"/2 of 4

Douglas Crockford: "The JavaScript Programming Language"/3 of 4

Douglas Crockford: "The JavaScript Programming Language"/4 of 4

Answer 11

JavaScript Pocket Reference by David Flanagan, published by O'Reilly. ISBN 0-596-00411-7.

Answer 12

Javascript: The Good Parts

Answer 13

"Pro JavaScript techniques" by John Resig

Answer 14

JavaScript: The Definitive Guide

and

JavaScript: The Good Parts

Answer 15

I found this book to be pretty good at getting to the core of the language:

Professional JavaScript for Web Developers

Answer 16

Yahoo has a very good series of lectures on Javascript by Douglas Crockford —

The JavaScript Programming Language

Answer 17

Take a look at ECMA-262, the official specification for ECMAScript (*cough* JavaScript) syntax, semantics, and core objects. Bear in mind it does not cover web-specific objects or interfaces (e.g. the DOM in its various forms), as these are outside of the language proper.

It has downsides:

• It's not a printed document as you requested, unless you print it yourself.
• It's verbose and not terribly well-written. For instance, many of the specifications are listed in algorithmic steps rather than described in prose (e.g. "1. Let x be the foo value; 2. Shift x by three bits to the left; ...").

Answer 18

This is a really good book:

Object oriented javascript

Answer 19

Not a paper-based book, but Eloquent JavaScript fits the rest of your description -- and has a built-in JS console for immediate programming gratification.

Answer 20

I personally have the second edition, but this book was fantastic.

Beginning Javascript

Answer 21

ppk on JavaScript has to be the best JavaScript book I have read. This is from the guy that runs quirksmode.org.