JavaScript--the powerful, object-based scripting language that can be embedded directly into HTML pages--has earned its place in the web developer's toolkit, to the extent that it's now considered required knowledge for web developers. You can use JavaScript to create dynamic, interactive applications that run completely within a web browser. JavaScript is also the language of choice for developing Dynamic HTML content. Because its syntax is based on the popular programming languages C, C++, and Java, JavaScript is familiar and easy to learn for experienced programmers. At the same time, it's an interpreted scripting language, providing a flexible, forgiving programming environment for new programmers. The JavaScript Pocket Reference, 2nd Edition, provides a complete overview of the core JavaScript language and client-side scripting environment, as well as quick-reference material on core and client-side objects, methods, and properties. The new edition has been revised to cover JavaScript 1.5, and is particularly useful for developers working with the standards-compliant web browsers, such as Internet Explorer 6, Netscape 7, and Mozilla. Ideal as an introduction for beginners and a quick reference for advanced developers, this pocket-sized book is easy to take anywhere and serves as the perfect companion volume to the bestselling JavaScript: The Definitive Guide, 4th Edition. O'Reilly's Pocket References have become a favorite among developers everywhere. By providing a wealth of important details in a concise, well-organized format, these handy books deliver just what you need to complete the task at hand. When you've reached a sticking point and need to get to the answer quickly, the new JavaScript Pocket Reference is the book you'll want close at hand.

Amazon.com® Reader Reviews (Ranked by Helpfulness)

Average Amazon.com® Rating:  Based on 20 Ratings

Where's the rest? - 2006-03-22
Reviewer Rating:
I realize it's a pocket reference, but this is a brief guide to syntax and then the DOM for the rest of the book. It doesn't cover any of the API stuff like the Date class. It'd be nice to have more information at the price of needing slightly larger pockets.

Moderately good. - 2006-02-01
Reviewer Rating:
I am not a big fan of these 'Pocket Reference' books by O'Reilly. Although I have 8 of them, I find them too brief to be very helpful as a reference. Usually they come up short on many parts of the language.

Recently I needed a refresher in JavaScript, and turned to Flanagan. I read the first part of the book to the API Reference on page 52. This seemed like a concentrated and intense refresher. For that one purpose, I think I received good value for my time. I would never use it as a real reference because each subject is just barely mentioned, not covered in any kind of detail. There is no index, plus examples are too few and short to learn from it. So for my limited purpose, I liked it, but would never consider it as a learning tool or actual reference. If this meets your need, fine. Otherwise do not expect too much from this book.

This is an un-paid real opinion. Not all ratings and opinions are honest or unbiased. Some are bought and paid for. Follow the 'See all my ...' and judge for yourself. Learn the industry secret when you see many such high score opinions from one person particularly right after the dates of publication. Educate yourself before you rely on someone who has been paid to deceive you.

Lacks an index - 2009-10-06
Reviewer Rating:
The book is really good as a quick review of JavaScript and the topics are well-explained, but not having an index, if even a computer-generated one, is unforgivable! It is hard to find certain functions if you are not sure what object it belongs to.

O'Reilly JavaScript Pocket Reference - 2009-09-09
Reviewer Rating:
Very nice addidion to the reference book. I work at both home and at the office, and instead of carrying all of my reference books with me each day, I find the pocket references very usefull when I need information at the office. Not only this title, but other pocket reference books that I also own from O'Reilly. I would highly recommend this reference.JavaScript Pocket Reference

Well-written pocket reference - 2008-03-08
Reviewer Rating:
I've been learning JavaScript off and on, with some success, for three months. In doing so, I've skimmed about a half-dozen books and tried the following three, so far, "graded" below:

Learning JavaScript (Powers B-)
VQS JavaScript and Ajax (Negrino & Smith C+)
O'Reilly JavaScript Pocket Reference (Flanagan B)

It's hard to find good books on JavaScript and no one should expect a pocket reference to be an instructional book. Despite that, I found this reference guide to be surprisingly helpful at times as I searched for clear explanations of the underlying concepts in learning JavaScript.

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