Introduction
The Web was a pretty boring place in its early days. Web pages were constructed from plain old HTML, so they could display information, and that was about all. Folks would click a link and then wait for a new web page to load. That was about as interactive as it got.
These days, most websites are almost as responsive as the programs on a desktop computer, reacting immediately to every mouse click. And it’s all thanks to the subjects of this book—JavaScript and its sidekick, jQuery.
What Is JavaScript?
JavaScript is a programming language that lets you supercharge your HTML with animation, interactivity, and dynamic visual effects.
JavaScript can make web pages more useful by supplying immediate feedback. For example, a JavaScript-powered shopping cart page can instantly display a total cost, with tax and shipping, the moment a visitor selects a product to buy. JavaScript can produce an error message immediately after someone attempts to submit a web form that’s missing necessary information.
JavaScript also lets you create fun, dynamic, and interactive interfaces. For example, with JavaScript, you can transform a static page of thumbnail images into an animated slideshow. Or you can do something more subtle like stuff more information on a page without making it seem crowded by organizing content into bite-size panels that visitors can access with a simple click of the mouse (Adding Tabbed Panels). Or add something useful and attractive, like pop-up tooltips that provide ...
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