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JavaScript, ECMAScript, AJAX
Within the JavaScript, ECMAScript section you'll find helpful annotated links to articles, tutorials, scripts, and more related to JavaScript, ECMAScript, and AJAX (Asynchronous JavaScript + XML or Asynchronous JavaScript using XMLHttpRequest). You'll also find a listing of recommended books on JavaScript, ECMAScript, DOM, and AJAX.
Know of some good articles, tutorials, books, or resources related to JavaScript, ECMAScript, or AJAX? Recommendations are welcome and encouraged!
On this page:
- ECMAScript Language Specifications, Articles, and Tutorials
- JavaScript Tutorials, Scripts, and Cross-Browser Issues
- AJAX Tutorials
- Discussion Lists, and Newsgroups on JavaScript, ECMAScript
- Sites or Sections of Sites Devoted to JavaScript, ECMAScript
- Other JavaScript, ECMAScript, AJAX Links Resources
- Recommended Books on JavaScript, ECMAScript, AJAX
Related within Web Resources:
ECMAScript Language Specifications, Articles, and Tutorials
ECMAScript Language Specifications
- Standard ECMA-262: ECMAScript Language Specification
Third Edition, December 1999, directly from ECMA. Their site states that this ECMA publication is also approved as ISO/IEC 16262. [Specifications dated 12/1999 via ECMA International.] - ECMA - 262 Edition 3 (PDF)
Via Mozilla, the third and most recent revision of the ECMAScript standard (December 1999), and corresponds with JavaScript 1.5. [PDF file via Mozilla.org.] - ECMAScript 4 Netscape Proposal
Netscape's proposal to the ECMA TC39TG1 working group for the ECMAScript Edition 4 language. This document is updated continuously. [Proposal dated 06/30/2003 via Mozilla.org.]
ECMAScript Documentation, Support References
- ECMAScript Support in Opera
Opera's documentation for ECMAScript support. [Documentation via Opera Web site.] - Microsoft JScript User's Guide
Microsoft's documentation and user guide for its JScript and ECMA features support. - Mozilla: JavaScript 1.5 and ECMA
Documentation, FAQ, information. [FAQ via Mozilla.org.] - Mozilla JavaScript Language Resources
Information and links to Netscape's ECMAScript and JavaScript Proposals. [Documentation via Mozilla.org.]
ECMAScript Articles and Tutorials
- ECMAScript Menu System
Very well done article/tutorial with plenty of examples along the way, the code to go with it, and helpful explanations about what everything is, how to use it, and why. As the author states, “this article walks through the steps required to build an accessible, dynamic menu, with separate content, presentation, and behavioral layers.” [Article/tutorial dated 01/22/2005, by Gez Lemon, Juicy Studio.]
ECMAScript Interpreters
- FESI
Free ECMAScript interpreter by Jean-Marc Lugrin. Interpreter created by Jean-Marc Lugrin.
JavaScript Tutorials, Scripts, and Cross-Browser Issues
In addition to the JavaScript tutorials and scripts categorized below, see also Web Resources
JavaScript Tutorials JavaScript and Accessibility here at WebsiteTips.com.
JavaScript Tutorials
Image Replacement Techniques Using JavaScript
- Image Replacement
Peter-Paul Koch's tutorial about using JavaScript (no CSS, PHP, or Flash required) for image replacement. Includes instructions, explanation, browser compatibility, and other information for this accessible approach. [Article/tutorial dated 10/2004, by Peter-Paul Koch, Quirksmode.]
See also Typography Articles, Tutorials on Image Replacement Techniques for many more that include JavaScript, along with CSS, PHP, Flash, or a combination of these.
Mouse Rollovers, Mouseovers Using JavaScript
- Universal JavaScript Rollovers
WebReference.com's Doc JavaScript gives a detailed tutorial including these how to's: use the document.images object, make your rollovers backward compatible, create an instance of the Image object, combine several rollovers to create a menu, create multiple rollovers, ensure maximum "transition" quality, create nested rollovers.
Windows, Frames, and Popups and JavaScript
- JavaScript and Frames
WebReference.com's JavaScript Frames Tips Archive. Covers more than 20 tips and tutorials about JavaScript and frames. Some topics: forcing frames, breaking out of frames, manipulating frames, writing content to a new window, replacing a frame's content with JavaScript, Netscape 6 and frames, more. [Tips and tutorials via WebReference.] - Working with Windows
WebReference's Doc JavaScript provides an extensive and helpful tutorial on so many aspects of JavaScript and windows. Includes how to: name your windows and frames, open a new window, specify the features of a new window, utilize the window features, check if a window exists, close a window, manipulate a window, write content to a window, reference the opener, create a dialog box, create a popup window. [Tutorial via WebReference.]
JavaScript Scripts
Browser Sniffer Scripts
JavaScript browser sniffing is no longer the method of choice for Web site development. Below is information about the pros and cons. If you do need to do sniffing at this point, consider sniffing for DOM support.
- Browser Detection and Cross Browser Support
Detailed article via Mozilla.org that reviews “several approaches to browser detection, their usefulness in specific circumstances to arrive at a common sense approach to browser detection.” You'll find examples, links to more resources, more. Excellent. [Article/tutorial dated 02/03/2003, by Bob Clary, for Mozilla.org.]
See also PHP Tutorials Other PHP Tutorials for more on browser sniffing.
Mouseover, Rollover JavaScript Scripts
- The Mighty Mouseover Machine
by Charity Kahn. Have your mouseover image JavaScript generated automatically at this site. Helpful tool. [Article/tutorial dated 10/02/2003, by Charity Kahn, for Builder.com.]
Navigation Drop-Down Menu JavaScript Scripts
- CSS and XHTML drop-down menu (vertical and horizontal)
This drop-down menu uses a little JavaScript primarily to deal with IE6 issues, as explained in the tutorial accompanying the markup, CSS, and JavaScript. [Script, tutorial dated 08/2004, by Raphaël Goetter, AlsaCréations Tutorials.] - CSS Express Drop-Down Menus
Free CSS and JavaScript navigation menu with tutorial, instructions. Cross-browser, cross-platform friendly. For beginner-intermediate skills with CSS and markup fundamentals. [Script, tutorial dated 2006, by PVII (Project Seven).] - overLIB
Erik Bosrup's small popup information tooltips (not popup windows) JavaScript library. Free to use, popular, reputable. [JavaScript library by Erik Bosrup.] - Ultimate Drop Down Menu
“Fully-featured and accessible DHTML menu, that provides useable content to all browsers - including screen readers, search-engines and text-only browsers.” Well done. Version 4.5 updated for IE7 and Opera 9, too. Free for non-commercial, charity, or educational use, and fee for commercial use. [Script Version 4.5, 11th dated May 2006, and regularly updated as needed, by brothercake.]
Related within Web Resources:
Style Sheet Switcher Scripts with JavaScript
- A Backward Compatible Style Switcher
A helpful CSS style switcher that even works with Netscape 4. [Script, tutorial dated 02/08/2002 by Daniel Ludwin for A List Apart.] - Alternative Style: Working With Alternate Style Sheets
Popular cross-browser JavaScript style sheet switcher. [Script, tutorial dated 11/02/2001 by Paul Sowden for A List Apart] - Invasion of the Body Switchers
Inspired by Paul Sowden's script above, this one is extended to allow for multiple style sheets and improved accessibility. [Script, tutorial dated 11/19/2004 by Andy Clarke, James Edwards for A List Apart] - Stuff and Nonsense: Strategies for CSS Switching
Helpful tutorial, including the markup and scripts, for adding a style switching feature to your site using either JavaScript and CSS or PHP and CSS. This tutorial is an excerpt from chapter 8 of Professional CSS, by Christopher Schmitt, Mark Trammell, Ethan Marcotte, Todd Dominey, Dunstan Orchard. [Tutorial is an excerpt from chapter 8 of Professional CSS, by Christopher Schmitt, Mark Trammell, Ethan Marcotte, Todd Dominey, Dunstan Orchard. Via Digital Web.] - Text-Resize Detection
Tutorial with detailed instructions, along with the JavaScript code and example files. “We'll give you a way to detect your visitors' initial font size setting—and a way to find out whenever your visitor increases or decreases the font size. Why would you want to know these things? Because with this knowledge in hand, you can create a set of stylesheets that adapt your pages to the users' chosen font sizes, preventing overlapping elements and other usability and design disasters. (You can also do a lot of other interesting things...)” See also the comments and discussion on Text-Resize Detection. [Article/tutorial dated 09/12/2006, by Lawrence Carvalho, Christian Heilmann, for A List Apart.]
Collections of JavaScript Scripts
- JavaScript World
the companion site for JavaScript for the World Wide Web, Visual Quickstart Guide series, by Tom Negrino and Dori Smith. Scripts from the book that cover a wide range of needs, book excerpts, errata, resource links, more. [Scripts and information by Tom Negrino and Dori Smith.] - Top10 Most Useful JavaScripts
Good collection here. You'll find JavaScript scripts with instructions and tips for automatic breadcrumb trails, page last updated, today's date (with ending), countdown until, pull down menu, popup windows, rollover images, simple form validation, break-out frames, load-in frames, go back link, anti-spam email addresses for Web pages. In addition is a listing of resources to more. [Scripts and information by Stuart Young, for HyperDisk Materials. hat tip: thelist, evolt.org discussion list.]
Cross-Browser, Cross-Platform JavaScript Issues
While JavaScript continues to be better supported with each new browser version, you'll still find support issues and differences among browsers and platforms. Below are some resources to help you.
- IE 7 and JavaScript: what needs to be fixed?
Blog post with a helpful list of what to watch out for IE7 and JavaScript, what's been fixed, etc. [Article/tutorial dated 04/29/2006, by Peter-Paul Koch, Quirksmode.] - Quirksmode: JavaScript
Peter-Paul Koch's extensive and highly regarded information on JavaScript, including cross-browser, cross-platform issues and testing results. Fantastic resource. [JavaScript resource by Peter-Paul Koch, Quirksmode.]
See also the JavaScript Discussion Lists and Online Forums section below for more help on JavaScript issues.
AJAX Tutorials
- AJAX Tutorial
Helpful basics about AJAX, including an introductory tutorial, examples, AJAX Browser support, AJAX and JavaScript examples, AJAX and database technology examples, AJAX and XML files, and AJAX and the JavaScript XMLHttpRequest object. [Article/tutorial dated 2006, by W3 Schools.] - AJAX: What is it Good For?
Helpful introduction to what AJAX is and how it can be used in practical ways for websites. “At the heart of AJAX are the xmlhttprequest object and its Microsoft's ActiveX equivalent. It is this object that allows data to be transferred asynchronously. In case you are not clear what asynchronous means, it is the ability to handle processes independently from other processes. Synchronous which is the opposite of asynchronous, then means that processes are dependent upon other processes.” Also goes into what AJAX can do, basic XML formatting, scripting, and much more. [Article/tutorial dated 2006, by DHTML Nirvana.] - Take Command with AJAX
“Do you want to build more dynamic, responsive, desktop-like Web applications like Gmail and Google Maps? Then this article is for you. It guides you through the AJAX basics and through the process of building a simple AJAX application. That application is named WebConsole and, in essence, it's a browser interface for executing system commands for which you'd usually need shell access.” [Article/tutorial dated 10/14/2005, by Stoyan Stefanov for SitePoint.]
Discussion Lists, Online Forums, and Newsgroups on JavaScript, ECMAScript
Discussion Lists on JavaScript, ECMAScript
- Ask the JavaScript Weenie
Active discussion list for all levels of questions and discussion of JavaScript. [via Web Developers Journal.] - JavaScript List
Open for all levels, from newbies through professionals. Archives also available online. Good, active list with helpful, interesting discussions. [via LaTech.edu.] - JS-Jive
15-20 messages per day for newbies through professionals. Active list with over 1,800 subscribers as of February, 2006. [via Yahoo Groups.]
Online Forums on JavaScript, ECMAScript
- SitePoint Forum: JavaScript
Busy, active, popular forum on JavaScript. [Online forums via SitePoint.com.]
Newsgroups on JavaScript, ECMAScript
- comp.lang.javascript Newsgroup
JavaScript Usenet newsgroup. A helpful resource for JavaScript issues.
See also Discussion Lists, Online Forums, and Newsgroups for links to more on Web design and development topics.
Sites or Sections of Sites Devoted to JavaScript, ECMAScript
- Quirksmode: JavaScript
Peter-Paul Koch's extensive and highly regarded information on JavaScript, including cross-browser, cross-platform issues and testing results. Fantastic resource. - Danny Goodman's JavaScript Pages
Danny Goodman's Web site (author of JavaScript Bible). Site has JavaScript Mini-FAQ, info about his books, links to articles, more. - JavaScript Bible 5th Edition Quick Reference and Compatibility Guide
by Danny Goodman. (Previously known as Danny Goodman's Object Roadmap). - Doc JavaScript's Tip of the Day Archive.
at WebReference.com by Tomer Shiran and Yehudi Shiran, since 1997. Huge repository of tutorials, tips and articles. Great resource. - JavaScript Tutorials
Great, easy to follow tutorial for lots of useful JavaScript, by Jen Burroway. Includes instructions, demos, and codes for: browser type, new window, pop-up message, mouseover buttons, slide show, multiple frames, form validation. Links to resources, too. - JavaScript World
the companion site for JavaScript for the World Wide Web, Visual Quickstart Guide series, by Tom Negrino and Dori Smith. Scripts from the book series that cover a wide range of needs, book excerpts, errata, resource links, more. [Scripts and information by Tom Negrino and Dori Smith.] - The JavaScript Primers, 30 Steps that make JavaScripting fun to learn!
by Joe Burns, Ph.D. and Andree Growney. Detailed tutorials on a broad range of JavaScript, from handling errors to building a slide show, handling forms, loops, mouseovers, animation, opening new windows, prompts and variables, and much more. - JavaScript Repository
Claims to be the largest repository of JavaScripts on the 'Net. Has tutorials, trouble-shooting guides, lots of JavaScripts, good help. - JavaScript FAQTs
Dozens of questions and answers about JavaScript, links to many top JavaScript resources, too. Great resource. Part of FAQTs.com Knowledge Base.
Other JavaScript, ECMAScript, AJAX Links Resources
- AJAX (Asynchronous JavaScript + XML or Asynchronous JavaScript using XMLHttpRequest)
Fantastic listing of quality links to tutorials, articles, information about AJAX. [Links resources part of Web Design References, by Laura Carlson, for Information Technology Systems & Services (ITSS) Training and Workshops, University of Minnesota, Duluth. hat tip: Wise-Women Discussion List.] - JavaScript Tutorials
Well organized, fabulous listing of top-notch links to tutorials, articles, sites, and more related to JavaScript. Topics include: Tutorials: General, Accessibility of JavaScript, AJAX, Arrays, Debugging, Document Object Model, Events and Events Handlers, Forms, Functions, Objects and OOP, Operators, Regular Expressions, Unobtrusive Javascript / Progressive Enhancement / Graceful Degradation); Comprehensive Sites; Articles & Related Links. [Links resources part of Web Design References, by Laura Carlson, for Information Technology Systems & Services (ITSS) Training and Workshops, University of Minnesota, Duluth.]
Recommended Books on JavaScript, ECMAScript, AJAX
Read short reviews and find more book recommendations on Web site-related topics in our Recommended Books, Software section!
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