If you wish to pave your career in the web development domain, learning JavaScript would be incredibly beneficial. This article will introduce you to the top 10 JavaScript books perfect for beginners to learn and professionals to master JavaScript.
JavaScript is the most common language that flashes through the mind when we hear web development. It is a text-based programming language used globally to develop interactive web pages. It is often abbreviated as JS.
Did you know?
According to W3Techs , JavaScript powers 98.6% of all websites.
Earlier, JavaScript was referred to as LiveScript. It is an interpreted and lightweight programming language for developing web pages. Along with HTML and CSS, it is one of the cornerstone technologies of the World Wide Web (WWW).
With HTML and CSS , developers can only structure a web page and style its elements. But they use JavaScript to add dynamic behavior to web pages. JavaScript converts any static web page into an interactive one.
This robust scripting language helps to enhance the user experience of web pages. In addition, JavaScript is not limited to web development but is also used for embedded hardware controls, game development, etc.
If you plan to become a web developer, learning JavaScript is necessary, and books are the best place to start. So, in this article, we will list some of the best and must-read JavaScript books.
10 Best JavaScript Books for Beginners and Professional Developers
The following list contains handpicked books that are must-haves for beginner and professional JavaScript learners. Let’s take a look at each of them.
JavaScript Books for Beginners
1. Eloquent JavaScript: A Modern Introduction to Programming
Highlights
- Author: Marjin Haverbeke
- Publisher: No Starch Press
- Paperback Print Length: 472 pages
- Latest Edition: 3rd Edition
- Available Formats : Kindle and Paperback
It is among the best JavaScript books for beginners and intermediate learners. It covers all the fundamental concepts and offers many detailed exercises and projects, helping you gain hands-on experience with JavaScript.
Initially, the book explains the language's basic syntax, control structures, data types, and functions. The next topics explained are errors-handling, asynchronous programming, bug fixing, etc.
Moreover, the author's interactive and conversational mode has simplified the learning process, making it more user-friendly. He had lucidly explained the challenging concepts, thus helping beginners to understand easily.
Key Features
- The author has explained how to create real-world applications with JavaScript.
- The latest edition has highlighted the current state of JavaScript and web browsers.
- It incorporated a set of new exercises.
- It thoroughly explains various important concepts, such as arrow functions , async functions, class notations, etc.
When you try to develop JavaScript projects mentioned in the book, such as a paint program, you will acquire in-depth knowledge of:
- Critical programming elements, like data, syntax, and so forth.
- Using functional programming and object-oriented concepts to organize your code effectively.
- Using DOM to carry out interactions with browsers.
- Building utilities and servers using Node.js.
2. JavaScript: The Good Parts
Highlights
- Author: Douglas Crockford
- Publisher: O’Reilly
- Paperback Print Length: 175 pages
- Latest Edition: 1st Edition
- Available Formats: Kindle and Paperback
In this book, the author has focused on lesser-known aspects of JavaScript, a popular web programming language. However, this book is not a perfect source of learning JavaScript for beginners. Instead, it is ideal for advanced and experienced programmers.
The best feature of this book is that it incorporates several interesting and new concepts that are hard to find anywhere else. In addition, the author has explained more specifically about various JavaScript elements and how to fully utilize them to develop robust web applications.
Key Features
- It primarily concentrates on rare and unfamiliar aspects of JavaScript.
- It helps readers understand that Java and JavaScript are different programming languages.
- The author has used comprehensive code snippets in the book, detailing the good and bad parts of JavaScript.
3. JavaScript: The Definitive Guide
Highlights
- Author: David Flanagan
- Publisher: O’Reilly
- Paperback Print Length: 1,100 pages
- Latest Edition: 3rd Edition
- Available in: Kindle and Paperback
This is yet another best JavaScript book for beginners. Many newcomers use JavaScript: The Definitive Guide to learn JavaScript fundamentals for developing interactive websites and web applications. It is a unified book that explains all the fundamental aspects of JavaScript.
Written by David Flanagan, this JavaScript book provides you with in-depth knowledge of the workings of JavaScript graphics, prototyping, and closures. Moreover, it consists of more than 1,000 pages, with all topics being grouped into separate sessions or units.
JavaScript: The Definitive Guide has been the best book for programmers that teaches core JS concepts along with the basics of client-side JavaScript APIs. Also, the 6th edition of this book introduces ECMAScript5 and HTML5. The author has also penned concepts of jQuery and server-side JavaScript.
Key Features
- This book is a comprehensive guide to JavaScript, jQuery, server-side JS, HTML5, and ECMAScript5 concepts.
- It is an ideal source for aspirants wishing to be an expert in JavaScript programming.
This JavaScript book comes only in a Paperback format.
You can buy this book from here .
4. JavaScript for Kids: A Playful Introduction to Programming
Highlights
- Author: Nick Morgan
- Publisher: No Starch Press
- Paperback Print Length: 336 pages
- Latest Edition: 3rd Edition
- Available in: Kindle and Paperback
As its name indicates, JavaScript for Kids: A Playful Introduction to Programming is a JavaScript resource ideal for beginners. This book provides an introduction to JavaScript fundamentals. Therefore, aspirants with no prior experience in programming can use this book to learn JavaScript.
The author of this book has explained JS concepts that are easily understandable. Also, the book offers numerous exercises to help you learn and practice JavaScript.
This book consists of three sections:
1. Fundamentals
This section talks about the fundamental aspects of JavaScript and covers various topics, including data types, functions, loops, and conditional statements. In addition, you will learn how to develop a text-based version of the Hangman game and simple HTML web pages.
2. Advanced JavaScript
This section teaches advanced JavaScript topics, such as object-oriented programming, code execution at intervals using timers, and responding to browser events. It also guides you through building a Find the Buried Treasure! game.
3. Canvas
As its name indicates, this section explains everything about HTML5 canvas elements. Moreover, you can learn how to animate drawings, draw canvas, and use the keyboard to control animations. In the end, you will find an exercise instructing you to develop a basic Snake game.
This book is available in Paperback and Kindle formats.
You can buy this book from here .
5. High-Performance Browser Networking
Highlights
- Author: Ilya Grigorik
- Publisher: O’Reilly
- Paperback Print Length: 404 pages
- Latest Edition: 3rd Edition
- Available in: Kindle and Paperback
High-performance Browser Networking is number 4 on our list of the best JavaScript books. It teaches you how to develop high-performance JavaScript applications. Since application performance plays a vital role, this book is a definitive guide to learning different approaches to enhance an application’s performance.
The author of this book, Ilya Grigorik, is a web performance engineer at Google. This book has mentioned unique and best practices to optimize performance for UDP, TCP, and TLS protocols.
In addition, the book discusses wireless and mobile network optimization requirements. The JavaScript book also introduces you to performance features of various technologies, like data streaming, HTTP 2.0, WebSockets, WebRTC, and DataChannel.
Key Features
- It helps you learn to develop fast and efficient mobile applications.
- You will learn how to speed up the network performance over 3G/4G networks.
- It allows you to get familiar with WebRTC transports to develop low-latency and video conferencing applications.
This book is available in Paperback and Kindle formats.
You can buy this book from here .
6. A Smarter Way to Learn JavaScript: The new tech-assisted approach that requires half the effort
Highlights
- Author: Mark Myers
- Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform
- Paperback Print Length: 256 pages
- Latest Edition: 3rd Edition
- Available in: Kindle and Paperback
This book is one of the finest and perfect JavaScript books for beginners. The author has penned this book concerning the two most common issues that every JavaScript beginner faces. These issues are retention and comprehension.
Also, he has explained all the basics of JavaScript in this book, where topics are grouped into brief lessons or units. After completing each unit or chapter, you can find 20 sample exercises that help you to test your knowledge. Only reading a book is not enough to gain JavaScript skills. Therefore, the author stresses that practice is a critical component of the learning process.
Key Features
- The author has explained all fundamental JavaScript concepts using a step-by-step approach.
- This book helps you become familiar with advanced JavaScript concepts, like prototypes and constructors.
- All concepts are explained in an easy and understandable manner, making it possible for aspirants to understand every concept in detail.
- Learning JS with this book does not require any prior programming experience.
You can get this book in Kindle and Paperback formats.
You can buy this book from here .
7. JavaScript & JQuery: Interactive Front-End Web Development
Highlights
- Author: Jon Duckett
- Publisher: Wiley
- Paperback Print Length: 640 pages
- Latest Edition: 3rd Edition
- Available in: Kindle and Paperback
JavaScript & JQuery: Interactive Front-End Web Development is a perfect source for aspirants wishing to build JavaScript and jQuery skills in parallel for developing robust web applications. It is among the best JavaScript books to learn jQuery. It discusses all the jQuery and JavaScript concepts from scratch. Thus, it is an ideal JavaScript book for beginners.
It is a 1200-page book, having all content organized and arranged deftly. However, the author has not incorporated exercises in this book. Nonetheless, it is still a highly popular resource among beginners to learn JavaScript and jQuery.
Key Features
- All fundamental concepts of JavaScript and jQuery are introduced precisely.
- You will get familiar with various JavaScript APIs and jQuery plugins.
- It follows a visual approach to explaining jQuery and JavaScript concepts.
This book is available in Paperback and Hardcover formats.
You can buy this book from here .
8. Learn JavaScript VISUALLY
Highlights
- Author: Ivelin Demirov
- Publisher: Nai Inc.
- Paperback Print Length: 164 pages
- Latest Edition: 3rd Edition
- Available in: Kindle and Paperback
Learn JavaScript VISUALLY is yet another best book to learn JavaScript concepts quickly. One of the most desirable advantages of reading this book is that it explains JS concepts visually. Therefore, even a beginner can understand JS concepts effortlessly.
The author has created this book analogous to a workbook, explaining all JavaScript aspects in the most straightforward and uncomplicated manner. Therefore, if you are a newbie and planning to learn JavaScript programming, this book can be the perfect pick for you.
Key Features
- As this book involves full-color illustrations, it becomes easier for you to retain the information.
- It incorporates multiple exercises, helping users practice and learn.
After finishing this book, you will be able to develop a firm understanding of JavaScript syntax , programming terminology, and the basics of object-oriented programming . This book is available in Kindle and Hardcover formats.
You can buy this book from here .
9. Effective JavaScript: 68 Specific Ways to Harness the Power of JavaScript
Highlights
- Author: David Herman
- Publisher: Addison Wesley
- Paperback Print Length: 240 pages
- Latest Edition: 3rd Edition
- Available in: Kindle and Paperback
Effective JavaScript: 68 Specific Ways to Harness the Power of JavaScript is one of the most popular JavaScript books to enhance your knowledge. In addition, this book guides you in choosing the best programming language depending on your project’s requirements.
To make concepts more precise, the author has penned his own technical experiences through examples. In addition, he also mentioned some best practices to follow while working with functions, arrays, API designs, objects, and libraries. 68 award-winning approaches encircle this book to help programmers write clear and better JavaScript code.
Key Features
- This book incorporates in-depth knowledge of JavaScript, enabling developers to build reliable and scalable JavaScript programs.
- It involves 68 best approaches to help you write code efficiently.
This book is available in Paperback and Kindle formats.
You can buy this book from here .
10. Programming JavaScript Applications: Robust Web Architecture with Node, HTML5, and Modern JS Libraries
Highlights
- Author: Eric Elliot
- Publisher: O’Reilly
- Paperback Print Length: 276 pages
- Latest Edition: 3rd Edition
- Available in: Kindle and Paperback
This book is one of the best books on JavaScript that is ideal for developers who want to create scalable web applications. Also, the JavaScript design patterns explained in this book will help you know how to build real-world enterprise-level applications.
The book also teaches programmers how to develop client-side and server-side applications and web apps featuring the potential of desktop applications. Along with covering various aspects of functional programming, the JS book also talks about the fundamentals of prototypes, JS best practices, and object composition.
Key Features
- You can learn how to develop self-describing hypermedia APIs using Node.js.
- This book enables you to learn about testing, integrating, and deploying software updates in quick cycles.
- In addition, you can gain expertise in organizing and reusing code.
This book is available in Paperback and Kindle formats.
You can buy this book from here .
Conclusion
JavaScript is one of the most popular programming languages in the world. In addition, JavaScript is a high-level interpreted language that is easily understandable. Learning JavaScript can be a great choice if you aim to develop your career in the programming domain.
Through this article, we tried to get you familiar with the top 10 JavaScript books that can make your learning more fruitful. Some of these are intended truly for beginners, whereas other JavaScript books are for intermediate-level and experienced developers who want to add JavaScript to their skillset.
So, depending on your experience level, you can pick a suitable book and start learning JavaScript. Good luck!
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