Javascript Tutorial

Introduction

Chapter 1   Creating Simple JavaScript Programs

• What Is JavaScript?
  • History of JavaScript
• JavaScript Versus Java
• Combining JavaScript with HTML
  • Simplified Language Structure
  • Web Browser Integration
  • Supported on More Platforms
• Uses for JavaScript
  • Including Dynamic Information
  • Validating Forms
  • Making Pages Interactive
• Getting Started with JavaScript
  • Required Software and Hardware
  • Development Tools
• Testing a Simple JavaScript Program
  • Receiving the Web Page
  • Procssing the Script
• Potential Problems with JavaScript
  • Security Considerations
  • Your Source Code Is Accessible
• Overcoming JavaScript's Limitations
  • Missing Features
  • Combining JavaScript with Other Languages
• Writing a Simple JavaScript Application
  • Creating the Script
  • Embedding the Script in an HTML Page
• Creating an Event Handler
  • Viewing Your Script's Output
• Hiding JavaScript from Older Browsers
• Workshop Wrap-Up
  • Next Steps
  • Q&A
    

Chapter 2   Working with Larger Programs and Variables

• JavaScript Language Structure
  • Statements
  • Functions
  • Variables
  • Expressions
  • Objects, Properties, and Methods
• Using Comments
• Programs and Applications
• Data Types and Variables
  • Integers
  • Floating-Point Numbers
  • Boolean Values
  • Strings
  • Special Characters
• Creating an Array
• Working with Numbers and Text
• Naming and Declaring Variables
  • Rules for JavaScript Variable Names
• Assigning Values to Variables
• Variable Declarations and Scope
• Declaring Variables
• Using Expressions and Operators
  • Assignment Operators
  • Arithmetic Operators
• Incrementing and Decrementing Variables
  • String Operators
  • Logical Operators
  • Bitwise Operators
  • Comparison Operators
  • Understanding Operator Precedence
• Using Variables in Expressions
• Converting and Evaluating Variables and Expressions
  • The parseInt Function
  • The parseFloat Function
  • The eval Function
• Workshop Wrap-Up
  • Next Steps
  • Q&A
    

Chapter 3   Working with Objects and Events

• Using JavaScript Objects
• Using Object Properties
  • Assigning Values to Properties
• Functions and Methods
• Declaring a Function
  • Calling a Function
  • Returning a Value
  • Integrating Functions with HTML
  • Dividing a Task into Functions
  • Communication Between Functions
• Understanding Methods
• Defining Objects and Methods
• Creating Instances of Objects
  • Putting It All Together
• Conditionals and Loops
  • The if...else Construct
  • Conditional Expressions
• Using the for Keyword
• Using while Loops
  • The for...in Construct
  • Infinite Loops
  • The break Statement
  • The continue Statement
• Using Multiple Parameters in Functions
• Events and Event Handlers
  • Types of Events
• Creating an Event Handler
  • How Event Handlers Interact
• Workshop Wrap-Up
  • Next Steps
  • Q&A
    

Chapter 4   Using Built-In Objects and Custom Objects

• Techniques for Object-Oriented Programming
• Using Objects, Properties, and Methods
  • The new Keyword
  • The this Keyword
  • The with Keyword
  • Creating a Generic Object
• Looping Through an Object's Properties
• Using Built-In Objects
  • Using Array Objects
• Creating an Array
  • Using String Objects
  • Using Date Objects
  • The Math Object
  • The navigator Object
• Customizing Objects
• Customizing the String Object
• Workshop Wrap-Up
  • Next Steps
  • Q&A
    

Chapter 5   Accessing Window Elements as Objects

• The window Object
  • window Object Properties
• Changing the Status Line
  • window Object Methods
• Opening and Closing Windows
• Using Prompts, Alerts, and Confirmation Dialogs
• Updating a Page with Timeouts
• Using window Object Event Handlers
• The location Object
• The document Object
  • document Object Properties
  • document Object Methods
• The history Object
• Implementing BACK and FORWARD Buttons
• The link Object
• The anchor Object
• form Objects
• Workshop Wrap-Up
  • Next Steps
  • Q&A
    

Chapter 6   Using Interactive Forms

• Building a JavaScript-Compatible HTML Form
  • Understanding Form Actions and Methods
  • Overview of Form Elements
• Creating an HTML Form
• Using form Objects in JavaScript
  • form Object Properties
  • form Object Methods and Events
• The JavaScript form Object Hierarchy
  • Text Fields and Password Fields
  • Text Areas
  • Checkboxes
  • Radio Buttons
  • Selection Lists
  • Hidden Fields
  • Buttons
  • File Upload Fields
• Automating the Form with JavaScript
• Adding Automatic Totals
• Automating the Shipping Address
• Validating the Form Data with Event Handlers
  • Where to Validate?
  • Which Fields to Validate?
• Creating Functions for Validation
• Adding an Event Handler for Validation
• Workshop Wrap-Up
  • Next Steps
  • Q&A
    

Chapter 7   Real-Life Examples I

• Example 1: Displaying a Pop-Up Message
• Example 2: Displaying Random Quotations
• Example 3: A Validated Registration Form

Chapter 8   Improving a Web Page with JavaScript

• The Beginning: A Simple Web Page
  • The Main Page
• Creating a Navigation Bar
  • Naming the Pages
• Creating the Data Structures and HTML for the Navigation Bar
• Creating the Function for the Navigation Bar
• Integrating the Navigation Bar with the HTML Page
• Using the Status Line
• Creating Friendly Links
• Adding a Scrolling Message
• Using a Text Field to Scroll a Message
• Workshop Wrap-Up
  • Next Steps
  • Q&A
    

Chapter 9   Using Frames, Cookies, and Other Advanced Features

• Advanced Browser Features
  • Frames
  • Targeted Links
  • Cookies
  • Plug-Ins
• Using Frames with JavaScript
  • Objects for Frames
  • Using JavaScript in Multiframe Windows
• Creating a Framed Document
• Modifying the Navigation Bar
• Testing the Multiframe Document
• Updating a Frame with JavaScript
• Remembering User Preferences with Cookies
• Workshop Wrap-Up
  • Next Steps
  • Q&A
    

Chapter 10   Working with Multiple Pages and Data

• Working with a Complex Web Site
• Creating an Application in Nested Framesets
• Working with Databases and Data
  • Using String Arrays
  • Using Associative Arrays
  • Creating Custom Data Structures
• Understanding Data Tainting
  • Enabling Data Tainting
  • Data Tainting Commands
• Working with Documents on Multiple Servers
• Maintaining State in JavaScript
• Creating a Questionnaire
• Workshop Wrap-Up
  • Next Steps
  • Q&A
    

Chapter 11   Real-Life Examples II

• Example 1: Nonscrolling Status Line Messages
• Example 2: An Improved Navigation Bar
• Example 3: Storing User Preference

Chapter 12   Working with Graphics in JavaScript

• Creating Graphical Back and Forward Buttons
• Using Dynamic Images in JavaScript
  • The images Array
  • Preloading Images
• Replacing Images Dynamically
• Creating a Graphical Clock
• Rotating Between Advertisement Banners
• JavaScript and Client-Side Image Maps
• Using an Image Map with JavaScript
• Workshop Wrap-Up
  • Next Steps
  • Q&A
    

Chapter 13   Working with Multimedia and Plug-Ins

• Using Sound in JavaScript
  • Configuring a Sound Player
• Playing Sounds on Events
• Overview: Netscape Plug-Ins
• Plug-Ins and JavaScript
  • Objects Related to Plug-Ins
• Listing Plug-Ins
• Listing MIME Types
• Testing for a Plug-In
• Workshop Wrap-Up
  • Next Steps
  • Q&A
    

Chapter 14   Debugging JavaScript Programs

• Common Errors in JavaScript Programming
  • Syntax Errors
  • Timing Problems
  • Variable Problems
  • Reserved Words
  • Platform-Specific Issues
• Techniques for Debugging
• Using Alerts to Display Values
• Debugging with a Temporary Window
• Tools for JavaScript Debugging
  • Using the JavaScript Command Line
• Testing JavaScript Commands Interactively
  • The JavaScript Trace Facility
• Installing the JavaScript Trace Facility
• Dealing with Bugs and Crashes
  • Netscape Navigator 2.0
  • Netscape Navigator 2.01
  • Netscape Navigator 2.02
  • Netscape Navigator 3.0 (Atlas)
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer
• Workshop Wrap-Up
  • Next Steps
  • Q&A
    

Chapter 15   Real-Life Examples III

• Planning the Program
• The Complete Application
• How the Program Works
  • Initializing the Game
  • Placing Cards
  • Scoring the Game
  • Ending a Game

Chapter 16   Integrating JavaScript with Java

• An Overview of Java
  • How Java Works
  • The Java Language
  • Java Objects and Classes
  • Integrating Java with HTML
  • Creating Your Own Java Applets
• Installing the Java Development Kit
• Creating a Simple Java Applet
• Compiling and Viewing a Java Applet
• Using Java Classes with JavaScript
  • Calling Java Methods
  • The applet Object
  • Making the Java Applet Accessible
• Controlling a Java Applet
• Calling JavaScript Functions from Java
  • Steps for the JavaScript Programmer
  • Steps for the Java Programmer
• Workshop Wrap-Up
  • Next Steps
  • Q&A
    

Chapter 17   Combining JavaScript, CGI, and SSI

• Choosing the Right Tool for the Job
  • Comparing JavaScript with CGI
• The Basics of CGI
  • GET and POST Requests
  • Defining Requests in Forms
  • Name and Value Pairs
  • Environmental Variables
  • How CGI Programs Generate Output
• SSI: CGI Within a Web Page
  • Server-Side Include Directives
  • Enabling Server-Side Includes
• Languages for CGI and SSI
  • Perl
  • C and C++
  • Other Languages
• Creating a Simple CGI Program
• Installing a CGI Script
• Creating JavaScript Functions with SSI
• Workshop Wrap-Up
  • Next Steps
  • Q&A

Chapter 18   Using ActiveX and Microsoft Internet Explorer 3.0

• Downloading and Installing Internet Explorer 3.0
• Internet Explorer and JavaScript
• Using ActiveX Controls
  • How ActiveX Controls Work
• Using an Existing ActiveX Control
  • A Sampling of ActiveX Controls and Features
• Using the ActiveX Control Pad
  • Developing ActiveX Controls
• An Introduction to VBScript
• Creating a Simple VBScript Application
• VBScript Versus JavaScript
  • Punctuation and Syntax
  • Variables
  • VBScript and Forms
  • Object-Oriented Features
  • ActiveX and VBScript
• Workshop Wrap-Up
  • Next Steps
  • Q&A
    

Chapter 19   Real-Life Examples IV

• Example 1: Manipulating a Java Applet
• Example 2: Creating JavaScript Dynamically
• Example 3: Using an ActiveX Control

Chapter 20   The Future of JavaScript

• Planned New Features
  • LiveConnect
• A JavaScript Wish List
  • Language Features
  • Interactive Forms
  • Graphics and Multimedia
  • User Interfaces and Frames
  • Java and Plug-Ins
• New Applications for JavaScript
• JavaScript Development Environments
• Alternatives to JavaScript
  • Java
  • CGI
  • SSI
  • LiveWire: Server-Side JavaScript
  • Shockwave
  • ActiveX
  • VBScript
  • HTML Enhancements
• Workshop Wrap-Up
  • Next Steps
  • Q&A
    
  • Conclusion

appendix A   JavaScript Structure and Objects Reference

• Built-In Objects
  • Array
  • String
  • Math
  • Date
  • navigator
• The JavaScript Object Hierarchy
  • window
  • location
  • history
  • document
• Creating and Customizing Objects
  • Creating Objects
  • Customizing Objects

appendix B   JavaScript Statements, Functions, Operators, and Keywords Reference

• JavaScript Statements
  • Comments
  • break
  • continue
  • for
  • for...in
  • function
  • if...else
  • return
  • var
  • while
• JavaScript Built-In Functions
  • eval
  • parseInt
  • parseFloat
  • isNaN()
  • escape()
  • unescape()
  • taint()
  • untaint()
• JavaScript Operators
• JavaScript Keywords

appendix C   Online JavaScript Resources

• JavaScript
  • Newsgroups and Mailing lists
  • Web Sites
• HTML and the Web in General
  • HTML Information
  • Browser Manufacturers
  • Other Sites
• Java
  • Sun's Java Site
  • Gamelan
  • The Java Man
  • JavaWorld
• Plug-Ins
  • Netscape's Plug-In Guide
  • Plug-In Plaza
  • Shockwave
  • Adobe's Acrobat
  • QuickTime
  • Live3d
  • ncompass
• CGI and SSI
  • ncSA's CGI Documentation
  • CGI FAQ
  • Tools for Aspiring Web Weavers
  • Perl Information
  • Newsgroups
• MSIE, ActiveX, and VBScript
  • Microsoft's Pages
  • JScript
  • The ActiveX Arena
• Miscellaneous Resources
  • VRML
  • GIF Animations
  • Web Security