Re: JavaScript and tech writers

[Mary McWilliams Johnson <mary -at- SUPERCONNECT -dot- COM>]

I don't know what your clients want to use Javascript for, but it is useful
for quite a few things. The favorite use today is to create "rollovers" -
graphics that change to a different graphic when the cursor passes over them.

Anyway, you should be aware that Javascript and JAVA are quite different. 

- JAVA is a full-blown programming language, like C++, that can be used to
code very elaborate programs for both the PC and the Mac. The code must be
compiled, like other programming languages. If used on the Web, the code
resides on the server and cannot be seen or copied by a Web surfer.

- Javascript is a scripting language used ONLY on the Web. (It's much
easier to learn than JAVA, but that doesn't mean it's easy!) The code is
embedded in the HTML code, which means it's right there for anyone to copy
if they want to. Which also means that you can "borrow" code from any site
that you like.

I'd recommend you seek out a course at a local community college. But, in
the meantime, here are some online resources:

http://www.js-planet.com/tutorials/
        It includes an introduction to JavaScript, and then lists all of the
commands in JavaScript along with their syntax and what other ommands that
they can be used in conjuction with. 

http://www.javascripts.com/
        Free Javascript code, and they hire out to do Javascript and CGI. Shopping
carts, etc.

http://www.usats.com/learn/detection.shtml
        Excellent code and info about proper filtering code for Javascript

http://www.hotwired.com/webmonkey/javascript/code_library/
        WebMonkey's resource on Javascript

========================
If you are new to Web development, you may find some useful info on my Web
site - Mary's Tips on Designing Web Sites:
        http://www.superconnect.com/writershelp/

Cordially,

              ------------------------------º><º------------------------------
                                 Mary McWilliams Johnson
                               McJohnson Communications
                                  Documentation Specialist
                Web Site Design, Development and Graphics
                                  www.superconnect.com
              ------------------------------º><º------------------------------

At 01:17 PM 7/21/98 -0700, Elizabeth Kane wrote:
>     We have a new engineering dept. head who has said he'd like me to
>     learn JavaScript because we're going to be doing some Java-based
>     stuff, and a lot of Web/browser-based html stuff in general. I said
>     "Sounds great!" but I really know NOTHING about it.
>
>     Have any of you tech writers learned something about JavaScript? Can
>     you tell me what it is, and how it differs from, say, RoboHTML or MS
>     FrontPage? Have you taken a class in it? Is it fun to work with? And
>     anything else you'd like to throw in.
>
>     Thanks,
>     Beth Kane
>     Lone writer
>     bkane -at- artisoft -dot- com, Tucson
>