Starting out w/ JS

[erickson_sce]

I have been developing/designing websites for about a year now, on a small scale, and have hit a creative wall. This wall is Javascript. I have reached a point where I am very skilled with HTML and CSS, but I now find myself limited in advancing what I can do with a website. Javascript is what I need, and the ability to build on things like jQuery.

The Question: If I want to start designing websites with fancy things like parallax scrolling, that incorporate some Java to accomplish a task… Where should I start in learning Java, and how to incorporate it into an HTML/CSS website?

Thanks in advance for the responses!

[TheDoc]

Just to make sure you don’t search for the wrong thing, there is a big difference between ‘Java’ and ‘JavaScript’ – make sure to only search for the latter!

You might want to check out jQuery. It’s a super simple and easy to learn JS library. (I think that’s the right term, “JS library”)

[mweldan]

I usually start with foundation, such as.. what is a variable.. what is a closure.. what can i do with it.. how to do this and that..

when i feel comfortable.. i jump on library or framework (depend on what i’m on)

i’m not really good with javascript, to be honest, i understand to manipulate html document by learning jQuery and mootools.

i recommend javascript guide from mozilla developer network.

https://developer.mozilla.org/en/JavaScript/Guide

[mweldan]

and by learning javascript i start to write code in object oriented . as always, i’m not really good with it. still learning.

[Taufik Nurrohman]

Start with document.write() :p
http://jsfiddle.net/tovic/WTAr9/941/
Btw, cool avatar :D

[Michael_bonds]

Hi, erickson_sce . Like one of the previous commenters suggested, http://www.codecademy.com/ really is a great resource if you are new to JavaScript! jQuery is a great JavaScript Library, but if you are in any way like me when I started, you will want to learn more! By far the best book that I have read is JavaScript the Definitive Guide. A little dry at times, but you will not regret the purchase if you are serious about JavaScript!

Learning JavaScript as a language should probably be a top priority of yours, but learning a popular JavaScript Library such as jQuery should be as well – You will see it everywhere!

The jQuery Documentation is great, and it will probably have almost everything you will need to get started with jQuery! http://docs.jquery.com/Main_Page.

When you start to get a decent understanding of JavaScript as a language and jQuery as a library, I highly recommend opening up the jQuery Development source code! http://code.jquery.com/jquery-1.7.2.js

What you can learn from the source of jQuery is really quite astonishing. But beware, at over 9000 lines of code, looking at the jQuery source for the first time can be a little intimidating!

Also, if you want to know a bit more about the difference between Java and JavaScript, here is a link to a small article, and who knows, maybe you will start programming in Java? http://www.htmlgoodies.com/beyond/javascript/article.php/3470971/Java-vs-JavaScript.htm.

-Mike

[JohnMotylJr]

@erickson_sce, I would strongly suggest that you go out to a local college or ebay to find programming books. Understand logic and how to incorporate javascript in your documents. And yea, java and javascript are different monsters. But, the cool thing is you can invoke javascript functions in java lol… Anywho, go buy some books and understand basic programming. Dont be one of those people who do this

$(function() {

// Code YAY!

});

NOW YOUR A PROGRAMMER :) ……………………NOPE!

Also, learn javascript before you learn jquery, it may be tempting because jquery has alot of easy shortcuts but javascript is a nice, weird, and bizzar object oriented language (even though some may disagree).

Goodluck

[TheDoc]

I don’t fully agree with you, @_John_. While I had some background in PHP, I went straight to jQuery and skipped learning the fundamentals of JavaScript. I feel like jQuery is super easy to understand after a few hours of fiddling around with it and it doesn’t take you too long to start writing it from scratch. My argument would be: Why spend the time learning JS if you’re only going to use jQuery?

[JohnMotylJr]

Without trying to stray too much off the original topic, i would have to say my rebuttal would be that ‘erickson_sce’ is coming from html and css, not object oriented programming. I guess it just comes to personal preference. I came from learning javascript first (among other languages), and that made learning $ so much easier. Maybe i wasn’t so much referring to the basics of javascript so much as i was trying to refer to programming in general. Trust me, i’m all about writing less code and creating efficient programs. So whatever works best i guess.

To me,

( Javascript === foundation && jQuery === shortcuts )

[TheDoc]

I totally agree with this:
( Javascript === foundation && jQuery === shortcuts )

I think it all depends on what you want to do. If you just need to add some flavour to your existing HTML/CSS skills, then jQuery might be all you need. If you want to build robust apps you should definitely be getting a proper foundation down.

[joshuanhibbert]

@TheDoc While I agree with what you have said, and have taken a similar path myself, I often wonder, when I’m writing jQuery, if I am loading the entire library for something that would be better written as vanilla JS. I guess what I am saying is: if you have the chance, learn JavaScript.

[JohnMotylJr]

@TheDoc, i can totally see that point you made. If you want to add little touches here and there to add some rich user experience than yeah, jQuery is all that AND a bag of potato chips. And those little touches are very simple to learn (or at least implement).

OP,
I know there are plenty of resources around the web, but this place is really nice to get free (good quality) eBooks.

Javascript:
http://www.wowebook.be/book/professional-javascript-for-web-developers-3rd-edition/

[Historical Forums User]

learning jQuery before you learn true Javascript, is like learning all the curse words when your just learning how to speak a language. All you are going to do is either make people angry or laugh at you. Just my opinion.

[Author]

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