Over the past few years, there's been a small renaissance in JavaScript as a language. A variety of projects have sprung up to build reusable JS libraries and frameworks - and at this point, a good number of them have matured and shown staying power that they're worth taking a serious look at and relying on in professional projects.

JavaScript has grown in popularity in parallel with the Web and today is supported by all major browsers and new web technologies. JavaScript has been extended over time to deliver high-performing and incredibly impressive Web user experiences, using technologies including Adobe Flash, AJAX, and Microsoft Silverlight.

As JavaScript is used increasingly for "serious" development on the Web, the lessons that have been learned and the tools that have been invented along the way are being consolidated and shared by developers in the form of libraries and frameworks. However, since JavaScript is such a flexible and dynamic language, each framework can present very different approaches to the problems of web development - each with its own pros and cons.

Coverage of the individual libraries and frameworks includes:

Professional JavaScript® Frameworks

Prototype, YUI, Ext JS, Dojo and MooTools

As the needs and demands of developers have evolved over the years, so has JavaScript, which boasts a track record of delivering high-performing and exceptionally impressive web-user experiences. This flexible, dynamic programming language is increasingly used for serious development on the web, and several of its tools and projects are being shared in the form of libraries and frameworks. Packed with coverage of many of the most popular JavaScript frameworks, this authoritative guide examines how these frameworks can present unique and varying approaches to a variety of problems in web development—each of which has its own pros and cons.

This unparalleled team of authors has assembled some of the most active and popular JavaScript frameworks available and they walk you through common web development tasks addressed by each framework, while also examining how the framework approaches a particular set of tasks. In addition, practical examples and clear explanations demonstrate the many aspects of contemporary web development and exactly what the selection of JavaScript frameworks has to offer so that you can get up and running quickly.

What you will learn from this book

• The Prototype framework: handling cross-browser events, manipulating common data functions, simplifying AJAX and dynamic data, and more

• Yahoo! User Interface (YUI) library: using animation and drag and drop, building user interfaces with widgets, working with YUI CSS tools, and more

• Ext JS framework: talking with the server, using dataviews and grids, dealing with form controls and validation, and more

• The Dojo framework: manipulating the DOM, composing animators, deploying and expanding Dojo, and more

• The MooTools framework: enhancing development with MooTools, building user interfaces and using animation, and more

Who this book is for

This book is for web developers who are eager to explore the benefits of JavaScript frameworks. A working knowledge of HTML, CSS, and JavaScript is required.

Wrox Professional guides are planned and written by working programmers to meet the real-world needs of programmers, developers, and IT professionals. Focused and relevant, they address the issues technology professionals face every day. They provide examples, practical solutions, and expert education in new technologies, all designed to help programmers do a better job.