Javascript Introduction

AUDIENCE: Developers who wish to write dynamic, interactive applications in Javascript.
PREREQUISITES: Some knowledge of HTML coding is essential. Previous experience of programming, especially object-oriented or ''visual'' programming, would be useful but is not essential.
DURATION: 2 days. Hands on.

OBJECTIVES: JavaScript is a programming language designed to make HTML more dynamic and interactive. This course aims to show you how JavaScript interacts with the various HTML elements, including forms, frames, images and other embedded objects, and the main browser window. With the techniques learned on this course delegates will for example be able to make mouse ''rollovers'', validate forms before they are submitted and control the main browser window.



COURSE CONTENT:
Formal Introduction
Javascript origins and progression
Javascript and browser versions
Javascript and related standards
Embedding client-side javascript in HTML

Basics
Basic syntactical structures
Basic output and input methods
Datatypes and variables
Expressions and operators

Control Structures
Relational expressions and if tests
Array basics
Some built-in arrays
Looping techniques
Function basics

Object Basics
Creating objects and new keyword
Accessing values of an object
Constructors
Object methods

Core Built-in Objects
Boolean object, properties and methods
Number object, properties and methods
String object, properties and methods
Math object properties and methods
Date and time handling

The Document Object Model
DOM standards and versions
DOM built-in objects and arrays
The Event model
Browser considerations

Form Validation
Form properties
onSubmit() and onReset() functions
onClick with multiple buttons
Validation: email address and phone number examples

Cookies
Cookie property of documents
Cookies for user preferences and security

Frames and Windows
Window and document object and properties
Launching and controlling new windows
Frame-specific techniques, such as multiple links and rotating pages
Links and anchors objects and properties

Image Handling and Swapping
Image object and images array
Preloading and caching images
Image techniques with javascript: rollover, billboard and banner effects, animation and cycling
Controlling image maps

Interacting with Stylesheets
Netscape approach
Internet Explorer approach
Layers and positioning: Netscape approach (as appropriate)
Internet Explorer positioning and clipping (as appropriate)
Cross-platform positioning considerations

Interacting with Applets and Java
applets[] array, start() and stop() methods
APPLET tag and MAYSCRIPT attribute
Generally working with Java

Other Embedded Elements
Plugin-related objects
Scripting around missing plugins
EMBED tag and MAYSCRIPT attribute
ActiveX components and ActiveXObject objects