Professional JavaScript Frameworks: Prototype,YUI, ExtJS, Dojo and MooTools

As the industry-standard, must-know scripting language, JavaScript is supported by all major browsers and is increasingly the foundation of new web development technologies such as Ajax and JSON. This book offers a selection of some of the most active and most used JavaScript frameworks available, replete with practical examples and explanations of what each framework does best. You’ll look at common web development tasks and discover how each framework approaches that set of tasks, as well as learn how to use the features of each framework and avoid potential pitfalls.

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.