New book: Start Here! Learn JavaScript

We’re pleased to announce the availability of the new book Start Here! Learn JavaScript, by Steve Suehring, the author of several other JavaScript-centric books for Microsoft Press. Learn the fundamentals of modern programming with JavaScript—and begin building your first apps for the web. This book introduces must-know concepts and techniques through easy-to-follow explanations, examples, and exercises.

With the importance of web development skills growing every day, and the ever-increasing importance of JavaScript as a development language, for both the web and now for Windows Store app development as well, there’s a growing need for books that provide an entry-level path into JavaScript programming, and that beginner audience is the target for this book. Readers will acquire a fundamental knowledge that they can build on not only in JavaScript programming for the web, but also gain an introduction to programming Windows Store apps using JavaScript.

The full table of contents appears below. You can purchase the book here: http://shop.oreilly.com/product/0790145348821.do, and read a sample chapter here: http://cdn.oreilly.com/oreilly/booksamplers/msp/9780735666740_sampler.pdf.

Start Here! Learn JavaScript

Chapter 1 : What Is JavaScript?

A First JavaScript Program

Where JavaScript Fits

Writing Your First JavaScript Program

Summary

Chapter 2 : JavaScript Programming Basics

JavaScript Placement: Revisited

Basic JavaScript Syntax

JavaScript Variables and Data Types

Looping and Conditionals in JavaScript

Summary

Chapter 3 : Building JavaScript Programs

Functions

Objects in JavaScript

Debugging JavaScript

Summary

Chapter 4 : JavaScript in a Web Browser

JavaScript Libraries

Getting jQuery

Getting jQuery UI

The Browser Object Model

The DOM

Retrieving Elements with JavaScript and jQuery

Summary

Chapter 5 : Handling Events with JavaScript

Common Events with JavaScript

Handling Mouse Events

Validating Web Forms with jQuery

Keyboard Events and Forms

Summary

Chapter 6 : Getting Data into JavaScript

AJAX in Brief

AJAX and JavaScript

Retrieving Data with jQuery

Using JSON for Efficient Data Exchange

Sending Data to the Server

Summary

Chapter 7 : Styling with JavaScript

Changing Styles with JavaScript

Working with CSS Classes

Advanced Effects with jQuery UI

Putting It All Together: A Space Travel Demo

Summary

Chapter 8 : Using JavaScript with Microsoft Windows 8

JavaScript Is Prominent in Windows 8

A Stroll Through a Windows 8 Application

Building a Windows 8 App

Summary