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Learning JavaScript: Where To Start?

5 points by laujen ↗ HN
I have been programming off and on for a couple of decades. Most recently Obj-C and RonR the past few years with a little Java mixed in. I would like to learn JavaScript, JQuery and JQuery Mobile. I tend to learn better by example than by theory. Given my programming background, where do I start?

6 comments

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yummyfajitas
Javascript: The Good Parts

http://oreilly.com/catalog/9780596517748/

This teaches you the language. Jquery is just a library on top of that which is fairly simple to learn.

briandoll
This is arguably the best book on JavaScript. It's a great way to understand the prototypal language, and serves as a good guide on building "proper" code in the conventions best suited for the language.

While I do think this is the best book to learn the language, I think you'll want to dive deep into a framework like jQuery to get things done. Straight JavaScript is very bare-bones, and you'll spend much more time in library code than with bare code.

While I love this book, and I finally feel like I 'get' the somewhat odd prototypal style of JS, it didn't help me get things done any faster.

laujen
Thanks. What is your favorite jquery book?
laujen
Thanks. I am on the right track then as I have that one and started reading it. Any jquery favorites?
jayliew
jQuery In Action is how I learned jQuery .. but it's slightly outdated b/c jQuery 1.4 is out