1.4. JavaScript and Canvas

JavaScript, the programming language we will use to create Canvas applications, can be run inside nearly any web browser in existence. If you need a refresher on the topic, read Douglas Crockford’s JavaScript: The Good Parts (O’Reilly), which is a very popular and well-written reference on the subject.

1.4.1. JavaScript Frameworks and Libraries

There are many popular JavaScript frameworks that developers use to help get their JavaScript off the ground, including libraries such as jQuery, Processing.js, and others. We expect these frameworks to add robust support for Canvas in the next 6–12 months. In the meantime, we will focus on straight JavaScript to control the canvas. However, where appropriate, we will introduce you to frameworks and JavaScript libraries that will help augment Canvas development (e.g., Modernizr, JSColor, and WebGL).