How about some tutorials for the newbs. JSON, Constructors, js objects etc?

[jay@moduscreate.com]

OK, a lot of folks are using ext by example. I'm guessing that lots of them are just using examples and what not, but not really understanding what things like JSON, etc.

Do you guys think it would be fruitful to have a basic JavaScript 101 set of tutorials for the users who are learning to use javascript?

I know there are tons of DIY's on the web, but i think it may be good for EXT to have it's own docs.


Thoughts? :)

[brian.moeskau]

It's definitely in the plans. As you can see, we're a bit busy at the moment... :) We plan on offering a full range of tutorials and examples for every level of user once we get some time. Contributions are definitely welcome...

[cklester]

I know there are tons of DIY's on the web, but i think it may be good for EXT to have it's own docs.

Make it so.

[tad_scsi]

IMHO anyone seeking to use any library effectively is much better off if they can at least get a clue as to what's going on under the hood. You don't need to be as expert or as quick as Jack or even know the specific details, but you should have some appreciation of how a library can even begin to accomplish what it does.

This does not have to be all that painful, but it does require some time investment. I had begun to work with JS in a very object oriented fashion in the late 90's but was drawn off the path by other demands, particularly with some desktop based CNC automation projects.

I found the following books to be very useful in bringing myself up to a reasonable level of comprehension over the past few weeks:

"DOM Scripting - Web Design with JavaScript and the Document Object Model"
by Jeremy Keith is an excellent introduction to essential DOM scripting.

Follow that up with John Resig's more recent "Pro JavaScript Techniques", wherein more advanced routines are explained with pointers on the sorts of 'gotcha's' that still plague modern browsers, and you'll have a good idea of how Jack might be going about his magic, only he has tons more experience. Resig is the primary person behind JQuery.

Finally, if you are relatively new to JavaScript, carefully studying "JavaScript - the Definitive Guide, 5th Edition" will do you wonders too.

Armed with the insights provided by the first two books (assuming you have good programming experience in at least some sort of respectable language) you can easily imagine, at least at a fundamental level, how libraries work.

If you've never programmed in ANY language before to any great extent, spend some time with tutorials from places like http://www.w3schools.com/
Make sure you have a strong grasp of CSS and HTML before you try any of the tomes mentioned above!

If you plan on building truly useful sites and you are a total neophyte - you're going to need to know at least one server side language like Php and also the fundamentals of database design. Postgres and Mysql both provide reasonable tutorials for the most rudimentary database tasks. You just have to Google or otherwise search for their sites.

[jack.slocum]

The book I found most useful for OO development patterns:

Patterns in Java: A Catalog of Reusable Design Patterns Illustrated with UML
http://www.amazon.com/Patterns-Java-Catalog-Reusable-Illustrated/dp/0471227293/ref=sr_1_12/102-4118921-9136105?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1175492105&sr=1-12

(Note the Volume 1, the other volumes are not as good)

Although it is obviously based on Java, it is easy to follow (like Java) even for those who don't know Java. Sleep with it, eat with it and beat these concepts into your head and it is guaranteed to help you in your development career. :)

---
If you really want to learn why and when to use patterns and can read c/c++ code, the GOF (Gang of Four, grandfather of design patterns books) is a must read:

Design Patterns: Elements of Reusable Object-Oriented Software
http://www.amazon.com/Design-Patterns-Object-Oriented-Addison-Wesley-Professional/dp/0201633612/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/102-4118921-9136105?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1175492368&sr=1-1

[jay@moduscreate.com]

Make it so.

unfortunately my time is limited w/ a 1yrold, full time job and supporting the wife's company (bebekisses.com) as well as performing tasks for my own company. :s

[jay@moduscreate.com]

The book I found most useful for OO development patterns:

Patterns in Java: A Catalog of Reusable Design Patterns Illustrated with UML
http://www.amazon.com/Patterns-Java-Catalog-Reusable-Illustrated/dp/0471227293/ref=sr_1_12/102-4118921-9136105?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1175492105&sr=1-12

(Note the Volume 1, the other volumes are not as good)

Although it is obviously based on Java, it is easy to follow (like Java) even for those who don't know Java. Sleep with it, eat with it and beat these concepts into your head and it is guaranteed to help you in your development career. :)

---
If you really want to learn why and when to use patterns and can read c/c++ code, the GOF (Gang of Four, grandfather of design patterns books) is a must read:

Design Patterns: Elements of Reusable Object-Oriented Software
http://www.amazon.com/Design-Patterns-Object-Oriented-Addison-Wesley-Professional/dp/0201633612/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/102-4118921-9136105?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1175492368&sr=1-1


Thanks Jack! I'll definitely look @ these books. I hate reading fictional material. For me, these tech docs is where it's at!

[shaun]

Maybe some small guides on things like basic javascript would be fine - basic javascript, then basic Ext JS examples. Nothing big is needed, google is all it takes to find thousands of tutorials on javascript. And ofcourse you have books, thousands of books on javascript as well..

[efege]

And ofcourse you have books, thousands of books on javascript as well..

... but the good books on JavaScript are only a few.

[exo]

Everyone needs to watch Douglas Crockfords videos.

http://video.yahoo.com/video/play?vid=cccd4aa02a3993ab06e56af731346f78.1027823
http://video.yahoo.com/video/play?vid=cccd4aa02a3993ab06e56af731346f78.1027832
http://video.yahoo.com/video/play?vid=cccd4aa02a3993ab06e56af731346f78.1027854

[jay@moduscreate.com]

Crockford is the man