jQuery Reference Guide Review

jQuery Reference Guide Review

I. Introduction

Among the JavaScript library released, few have been recognized to be as effective as jQuery. This lightweight library has been the subject of different discussions since it was launched in 2006. Basically, jQuery has the ability to flawlessly string together JavaScript together with HTML. Because of its effectiveness, there have different types of lightweight applications and plug-ins launched using jQuery. Ajax based websites that offers simple interface would virtually work together using jQuery’s simple interface.

Because of language’s popularity several books have been published to cater to the need of the increasing popularity of the program. Even though the library is relatively young, the response is almost overwhelming. Budding developers looking for information online might end up reading a highly complex article that it almost confuses the developer where to start and where to end.

To answer this problem, a comprehensive guide to the basics of jQuery has been published entitled jQuery Reference Guide. Karl Swedberg and Jonathan Chaffer came up with this book in mid-2007 that outlines the use and basics of jQuery. Both writers have extensive experience in the field of web and application development and their knowledge in different languages including jQuery made them highly competent writers about the library. Developers will understand up close and piece by piece the each component of jQuery and how they will be implemented in different applications and formats.

The book is actually released in two formats: online in PDF version and printed edition. As expected the eBook version of the book is relatively cheaper compared to standard edition of the book. In this article we take a look at the different things discussed in this book. We will also discuss what could have been added so that the book will provide more knowledge to different developers worldwide.

II. The Book

jQuery Reference Guide book is divided into 11 chapters with two additional appendices.
http://www.packtpub.com/jquery-reference-guide-Open-Source/book

Chapter 1: Anatomy of a jQuery Script – In this chapter, readers will be given an actual example of a working site that was used with jQuery. This will become the actual example that will be discussed in most parts of the book. Each aspect of jQuery is scrutinized and identified in this chapter. 
Read Anatom of a jQuery Script Sample Chapter Online

Chapter 2: Selector Expressions – One of the most important aspects of jQuery, this chapter lists all possible selector so that developers will be able to find possible page elements.

Chapter 3: DOM Traversal Methods – A follow up of the previous chapter, instead of looking for the possible selector, the chapter lists all the methods on finding page elements.

Chapter 4: DOM Manipulation Methods – All possible methods to modify the HTML format of the page is listed there.

Chapter 5: Event Methods – Each event caused by jQuery is listed here. A must read chapter to enable client-side functions in different websites.

Chapter 6: Effect Methods – All possible effects that came from jQuery and could be added to the language is listed in this chapter.

Chapter 7: Ajax Methods – jQuery is a JavaScript library which is an essential component in Ajax. This chapter discusses all the possible Ajax functions. This chapter discusses the program extensively especially in asynchronous communication.

Chapter 8: Miscellaneous Methods – Other methods found in jQuery that were not discussed in the previous chapters.

Chapters 9 – 11 discuss the possibilities in using jQuery as a plug-in to different websites and applications.

Chapter 9: Plug-in API – The four types of web development that exploits the possibility of using jQuery as a plug-in. A sample plug-in is presented for better understanding.

Chapter 10: Dimensions Plug-in – Build a better plug-in using this tool. dimensions and actual measurements of plug-ins and its tool are discussed here.

Chapter 11: Form Plug-in – Learn to combine the power of Ajax and HTML in a powerful plug-in in this chapter.

Appendix A: Online Resources – Websites that offer supplemental knowledge about jQuery and other languages related to the library.

Appendix B: Development Tools – Websites that offers 3rd party programs that will help developers in building jQuery-based programs.

The last part of the book is the index of popular terms and words and where to locate them.

III. Practical Usage

The book is written in a well organized pattern. This book actually gives justice to those developers who have been involved in the program so much that they want to share their knowledge to the world. There are already books published that have completely and party discussed jQuery as a library and its valuable explanation however this book gives out a robust explanation on how can jQuery affect the general experience of the web users when the program is effectively implemented properly.

At first glance developers may think that the book could be used as an actual introduction of jQuery. That may seem to be the initial idea of the readers but closer evaluation will reveal some prior knowledge of simple languages and a little bit of jQuery. This presupposition stems from the fact that the book needs you to understand the program quickly and move on to other chapters. It gives out clear usage of the different aspects of the library but it expects the developer to understand the program fast.

Prior skills in JavaScript and HTML are required to use this book to its full extent. On a lighter fact, this book is a perfect addition for developers who might have too much to remember. This book is a perfect crash course in jQuery, revealing almost every aspect of jQuery in a precise and concise manner.

IV. Suggested Additional Topics/Review

There are additional things that could have been added in this book. The book might have added a discussion about jQuery source. If the source is discussed in this book, it would probably open up a lot of possibilities considering the formula in building this library is actually revealed. Based on that idea, the approach or method in creating this library should also have been added.

Developers will have a glimpse on how the library was actually built and maybe, get ideas on how to develop the library themselves. The more information we can get out of jQuery the better.

The book was also released when jQuery 1.1.2 is the latest version of the library. As of this writing jQuery is already in 1.2.2 which means some functions indicated in this book may not be already usable. However, this book is still usable in terms of its general functions. After all, only a few of the functions might not be found in the new version for example XPath selector is already dropped and in this latest version the .hover() function were split into two functions.

But even though it comes with small bumps and limitations, the book will forever be powerful and useful for any developers. It has covered all the basics that any jQuery developer should know. The limitations will always be there and the book has provided enough references so that developers could always cross reference what the book says about the specific function and the website.

Highly recommended by other developers, this book is a perfect addition to the growing library of books that could actually be read by developers. The online and the printed version is reliable source of ideas on how to properly execute jQuery. This book is definitely a worthy investment for any budding developer.