We know the Head First series offers some of the most interactive tech books around, but there are limits to what we can feasibly do within the confines of the printed page. Much as we'd like to, we can't engage your auditory learning centers by having characters speak to you, or let you slide around our Code Magnets without having to slice and dice the page with a pair of scissors.
And that's why one of our big goals this year is to provide you with more interactive content online to get around the inevitable restrictions of the print medium.
In particular, we're really excited about the online materials we have for you online for Head First JavaScript. As you read the book and learn JavaScript syntax and programming principles, you can practice your new scripting skills right here at Head First Labs with Head First JavaScript: Hands On, a handy sandbox for you to play with JavaScript code.
And all of the cool sites you'll build as you make your way through the book (iRock, YouCube, Mandango) are now online, so you can enjoy the finished product. Just follow these links:
Anything else you'd like to see at the Labs for Head First JavaScript or other books in the series? Let us know...
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Hi, I am a programming teacher at a high school. I have found that one of the most frustraing things about teaching JS is that there are not good compilers out there (as there are in Java) that give errors and debuging tools. It can be extremely frustrating for the students who are complete beginners and have a hard time seperating a logical error for a syntax error.
You JS Sandbox, although a good tool for testing working code, does nothing when there is an error. Any suggestions?
- Linda
Hi Linda,
You may want to try Venkman (https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/216), an extension for the Firefox browser that adds a JavaScript debugger to your Tools menu.
Hope this helps,
Sanders
Hi there,
catching up on my feeds etc
Some other firefox extensions that may be usefull for developing and testing JS are:
Firebug 1.05 - Web Development Evolved
JSView 1.5 - View the source code of external stylesheets and javascripts.
Web Developer 1.1.4 - Adds a menu and a toolbar with various web developer tools.