Re:Ask HN: How to learn Javascript and HTML for devs coming ...
by codedivine on Thursday October 21, 2010 @11:16AM
(#1815777)
Thank you! Ordered the "Designing w/Web Standards" book first.
Re:Ask HN: How to learn Javascript and HTML for devs coming ...
by malandrew on Thursday October 21, 2010 @11:41AM
(#1815915)
You'll enjoy it. It may be over 400 pages long but it's a really quick read. You should be able to read it all in 1-3 days.
Zeldman makes tons of link references throughout to a bunch of excellent resources, oftentimes the original sources explaining a new idea in web design. Make sure to check those links out, they add a lot of value and context, especially the A List Apart references.
The last chapter in the book ties everything together and walks you through building the Agenda from NY Mag in HTML and CSS first and then using JQuery to add behavior:
Re:Ask HN: How to learn Javascript and HTML for devs coming ...
by HiroshiSan on Sunday November 07, 2010 @12:00AM
(#1878620)
Wonderful book recommendation, I am half way through, knowing nothing about web-design. Reading this book puts a huge smile on my face, it is funny and an easy read!
The problem with HTML is that it is a pretty loose language and you can do a lot with it without getting your syntax right. On top of that you have a lot of confusion because of HTML 4.01, HTML5 and XHTML 1.0.
Because of all that you will find tons of HTML resources all over the web that may appear decent, but actually teach you bad habits and old hacks that are no longer best practice. Zeldman's book will give you some direction so you don't waste too much time and develop good habits from the beginning. If it's not the first book you read, it should at least be the second book you read.
I haven't read them yet, but Zeldman recommends the following JS books:
DOM Scripting: Web Design with Javascript and the Document Object Model
The Javascript Anthology: 101 Essential Tips, Tricks, and Hacks
For CSS, the best resources are Eric Meyer's "CSS: The Definitive Guide" and "CSS: Pocket Reference"
The current edition of The Definitive Guide is a 2006 edition. I asked Eric about a new edition and although there isn't a date set, he expects a new edition covering CSS3 sometime in 2011.