Modern JavaScript : develop and design / Larry Ullman.

Enhanced descriptions from Syndetics:

It's time for a current, definitive JavaScript book, and in this comprehensive beginner's guide, bestselling author Larry Ullman teaches the language as it is implemented today. Larry demonstrates how to build upon JavaScript's ease of use, while demystifying its often-cryptic syntax, especially for those who have not programmed before. This book enforces modern JavaScript's best practices and embraces key Web development approaches such as progressive enhancement and unobtrusive scripting. The author demonstrates loads of real-world code and makes it available for download.

You'll learn about JavaScript itself and the relationship between JavaScript and HTML. Next you'll explore variables, common operators, and control structures. Then you'll create functions, handle events, and do more with HTML forms. You'll master Ajax, work with frameworks, and use JavaScript with PHP to create a complete example. The result is a book that helps you not just tinker with JavaScript but to thoroughly comprehend it.

This book includes:
Easy step-by-step instruction, ample illustrations, and clear examples Real-world techniques to build your skills
Insight into best practices from a veteran Web expert
Emphasis on strategies for creating reliable code that will work on all of today's browsers and devices, even those without JavaScript

Table of contents provided by Syndetics

• Introduction
• About This Book
• What You'll Need
• About the Author
• Getting Support
• Part 1 Getting Started
• Chapter 1 (Re-)Introducing JavaScript
• What is JavaScript?
• JavaScript Versions and Browser Support
• JavaScript Programming Goals
• Chapter 2 JavaScript in Action
• Choosing a DOCTYPE
• Introducing HTML5
• Embedding JavaScript in HTML
• JavaScript Approaches
• Cobbling Together Some Code
• A Framework Approach
• Steal This JavaScript
• Chapter 3 Tools of the Trade
• The Great Debate: Text Editors vs. IDEs
• The Browser: Your Friend, Your Enemy
• Executing JavaScript
• Debugging Fundamentals
• Online Resources
• Part 2 JavaScript Fundamentals
• Chapter 4 Simple Variable Types
• Basic Variable Syntax
• Common Operators
• Working with Numbers
• Working with Strings
• Other Simple Types
• Performing Type Conversions
• Generating Dates and Times
• Chapter 5 Using Control Structures
• Conditionals
• What is true?
• Logical Operators
• Comparison Operators
• Preventing Bugs
• Performing Iterations
• Chapter 6 Complex Variable Types
• Working with Arrays
• Working with Objects
• Arrays as Objects
• Comparing Types
• Chapter 7 Creating Functions
• Defining Your Own Functions
• Passing Values to Functions
• Returning Values from Functions
• Understanding Variable Scope
• Anonymous Functions
• Nested Functions
• Functions Acting as Classes
• Function Prototypes
• Nested Functions
• Chapter 8 Event Handling
• Event Phases
• Browser Events
• Keyboard Events
• Input Device Events
• Accessible Events
• Assigning Event Handlers
• Creating an Event Assigner
• Referencing the Event
• Preventing Default Event Behavior
• Chapter 9 JavaScript and the Browser
• DOM Manipulation
• JavaScript and CSS
• Alerts and Prompts
• The Window
• Chapter 10 Working with Forms
• Handling Form Submissions
• Form Validation
• Using Regular Expressions
• Handling File Uploads
• Chapter 11 Ajax
• Understanding Ajax
• Providing Dynamic Content
• Form Validation
• Ajax Performance Tips
• Working with Other Data
• Chapter 12 Error Management
• Simple Debugging Errors
• Handling Problems Gracefully
• Creating Informative Errors
• Creating Useful Errors
• Throwing Exceptions
• Part 3 Next Steps
• Chapter 13 Frameworks
• Choosing a Framework
• Introducing jQuery
• Introducing ExtJS
• Introducing YUI
• Chapter 14 Advanced JavaScript
• Unit Testing
• Profiling
• Closures
• Prototypes
• Namespaces
• Minifying
• Chapter 15 Putting It All Together