JavaScript Application Cookbook

Book Structure

For the most part, each chapter follows a similar template with the following four sections.

Execution Requirements

This short section lays out the environment required to run the application. This usually means which versions of Netscape Navigator or Microsoft Internet Explorer are compatible. The section also offers some perspective by discussing any scalability or monitor resolution issues.

Syntax Breakdown

When you’re done playing with an application and want to see what’s “under the hood,” check here. This is where you’ll find the code discussion, mostly line-by-line. This is by far the longest section of the chapter, so get comfortable before you tackle these.

JavaScript Techniques

As we make our way through the syntax breakdown, there will be good points to stop and highlight a technique that you can add to your bag of web knowledge.

Potential Extensions

This section suggests ways you can extend each application for even more impressive functionality. Sometimes I make suggestions, sometimes I offer code. And sometimes I just can’t help myself and write the code for you—which is included in a code archive that you can download. Either way, this should get the creative juices flowing so you don’t get stuck, saying, “Cool, how can I put that on my site?”