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Chapter 1
Where Does JavaScript Fit In?
CONTENTS
Navigator Is More Than a Web Browser
Frames
Technology
Interactivity with Java and Java Script
JavaScript's Place in Navigator
JavaScript Programs Are Built into Web Pages
JavaScript Gives Programmers Access to Browser Properties
Java and JavaScript: Compare and Contrast
Using Java-A Complex, Complete Object-Oriented Programming Language
Using JavaScript: A Simple, Object-Based Scripting Language
The Current State of JavaScript
Under Development
Supported by Sun
Endorsed by Many Companies
Potential Use in Different Products
JavaScript Today: Scripting for the Netscape Web Browser
What Is JavaScript?
JavaScript Is a Scripting Language
Designed for Simple, Small Programs
Performs Repetitive Tasks
Designed for Programming User Events
Easy Debugging and Testing
The Java Glue
JavaScript Is Object-Based
JavaScript's Object Model
A Comparison with Procedural Languages
Working with Objects in JavaScript
Built-In Objects
Strengths of JavaScript
Quick Development
Easy to Learn
Platform Independence
Small Overhead
Weaknesses of JavaScript
Limited Range of Built-In Methods
No Code Hiding
Lack of Debugging and Development Tools
Summary
Q&A
Navigator 3.0 is the most powerful version of Netscape's Web browser.
Besides bringing together a collection of useful Internet-access
tools, such as a mail client, a news reader, and improved support
for the developing HTML 3 standard, Navigator 3.0 adds several
features that enhance the ability of Web authors to develop complete,
platform-independent applications deployed and executed in the
Netscape browser. Going beyond the Web browser, Navigator Gold
adds editing and development tools to the package.
These capabilities include an applications programmer's interface
(API) for plug-ins.
Plug-ins are program modules that dynamically extend the capability of Navigator to handle new types of data and information, along with JavaScript and Java, which allow the addition of flexible programmability to Web pages.
JavaScript is also incorporated into Netscape's servers, such
as LiveWire, which allows it to be used to develop server-end
programs instead of the traditional CGI-BIN interface used in
today's Web servers. In addition, Microsoft Internet Explorer
3.0, the latest Web browser for Windows 95 and Windows NT from
Microsoft, incorporates numerous features found in Navigator 3
including JavaScript.
In this chapter we take a detailed look at the main features and
aspects of JavaScript, as well as review the major strengths and
weaknesses of the JavaScript language and its suitability to particular
tasks.
We then dive deeper into objects and how they work and take a
look at properties and methods-the building blocks of objects.
We also look at the built-in objects in JavaScript and what they
offer the programmer.
In this chapter we take a broad look at Navigator and consider
how JavaScript fits into the puzzle. You'll learn about the following
topics:
Frames: The ability to divide a window into multiple, independent
sections
Plug-ins: Third-party add-ons for Navigator that extend the
browser's ability to handle new data and information
Java: An object-oriented programming language for distributed
applications
JavaScript: A simple, object-based programming language incorporated
into Navigator 3.0 (and the subject of this book)
The similarities and differences between Java and JavaScript
JavaScript as a scripting language
Objects, properties, and methods
The Navigator Object Hierarchy and other built-in objects
Strengths and weaknesses of JavaScript
Navigator
Is More Than a Web Browser
Although Netscape Navigator started out its life as a basic Web
browser, as it has grown increasingly popular, it has become much
more.
Unlike earlier browsers and today's basic Web applications, Navigator
now provides authors with numerous tools to step beyond the traditional
constraints of HTML. Instead of simply combining text, pictures,
sound, and video, authors now have finer control over document
layout, fonts, and color; they are able to extend the functionality
of the browser using plug-ins and Java; and they can produce interactive
applications using JavaScript.
A quick look at the Netscape Web site shows that today's Navigator
can do so much more than previous versions-even without special
programming by Web developers. With freely available plug-ins
from leading software companies, Web authors can include native
CorelDRAW! graphics or Microsoft Word files in their documents,
as well as view VRML (Virtual Reality Modeling Language) worlds,
and view documents formatted in Adobe's device-independent Acrobat
format.
On top of all this, Navigator provides several tools that Web
page developers and authors can take advantage of to enhance their
documents and add dynamic interaction with the information they
provide on the Internet.
Frames
Frames are the most visually noticeable extension of HTML in Navigator
2.0 and 3.0. Using frames, authors are able to partition the screen
into multiple rectangular sections. Each section is independent
of all the others, and a different URL is loaded into each frame.
In addition, links in one frame can be used to update another
frame, without disturbing any others.
Frames are being used today to produce fixed, bannerlike mastheads
for Web Pages, for menus that always stay on the screen and don't
need to be reloaded or redrawn, and for forms-based searches where
the form is always available.
In addition to the obvious visual appeal of frames technology,
this extension to HTML may have an added benefit in that it reduces
the amount of data that may need to be requested from the server
and sent to clients. On the increasingly congested World Wide
Web, this may prove to make Web browsing slightly more efficient
and reduce some of the load on over-burdened Web servers.
Figure 1.1 shows an example of how frames can divide a screen
and provide both a fixed masthead and a permanent menu next to
several frames of dynamic information. Figure 1.2 shows how a
menu selection updates a section of the screen.
Figure 1.1 : Using frames provides fixed and dynamic elements.
Figure 1.2 : Using a menu to update one frame.
Technology
By providing an open application programmer's interface for plug-ins,
Netscape has made it possible for third-party software vendors
to provide the ability to view a wide range of data and documents
in the Navigator browser window. Netscape refers to objects displayed
by plug-ins as Live Objects.
Netscape integrates plug-ins-and Java applets-into the browser
environment using LiveConnect. LiveConnect provides mechanisms
for plug-ins, Java applets, and JavaScript scripts to communicate
with each other and to share information with each other.
To date, a significant number of vendors including Corel, Paper
Software, and Adobe have produced plug-ins for their own formats.
(Figure 1.3 shows one such company.) Many of these will likely
be extended to support JavaScript, enabling JavaScript programs
to interact with plug-ins directly and further enhancing the power
of JavaScript in future versions of Netscape Navigator. At the
present time there are no tools for doing this.
Figure 1.3 : Paper Software's WebFX plug-in enable Navigator 2.0 to browse VRML worlds.
Tip
The number of available plug-ins is constantly changing. Netscape provides an up-to-date list of available plug-ins at this site:
>http://home.netscape.com/comprod/products/navigator/version_2.0/
plugins/index.html
Interactivity
with Java and JavaScript
Using JavaScript and Java, Web developers have come up with further
enhancements to Web pages beyond the ability to load multiple
documents in separate frames and view new file formats.
Some of the common Java applets available today include the following:
Note
The term applet has come into common use since Sun Microsystems introduced Java to the Web community in 1995. Applets are small applications that are included in Web pages and downloaded on demand to be executed by the client browser. Although the
term technically only refers to the type of Java programs described here, with the introduction of JavaScript, the term is now being used by some people on the Web to describe the type of integrated scripts developed with JavaScript.
Scrolling text applets: Java is being used to add marquees
to Web pages.
Live data feeds: Current examples include a live stock ticker,
such as the financial portfolio demonstration by Sun Microsystems'
Jim Graham, shown in Figure 1.4.
Figure 1.4 : This Web page demo by Sun Microsystems 'Jim Graham user Java to include live data feeds.
Search engines: Java applets can be used to build database
queries, which are then sent to remote databases.
Adding protocols to Web browsers: One of the potential possibilities
offered by Java is that, as protocols are developed on the Internet,
Java can be used to add functionality to Web browsers on demand.
New file formats: Java allows Web browsers to display new
file formats by downloading applets to display the files as needed.
The widespread popularity of Java means that the range of uses
will increase in the future, but today Java is being used primarily
for cosmetic enhancements to Web pages.
By comparison, JavaScript is used to produce scripts designed
to react to user and environment events-as well as in the future
being the glue to hook Java applets more seamlessly into Web pages.
The following are some examples:
An interactive color picker for Web developers to test different
background and text colors in their documents.
Calculators: Examples on the Web include a unit conversion
calculator and loan interest calculators.
Dynamic output based on the current environment and the user's
previous surfing history.
Forms verification: JavaScript can be used to ensure that
form data is entered properly before sending it to the server,
rather than relying on the server to verify form content after
it is submitted. Figure 1.5 illustrates the form verification.
Figure 1.5 : JavaScript prompts the user for correct information before a form is sent to a sever.
Building URLs: JavaScript is used to build custom URLs based
on user choices in forms.
JavaScript can be used to replace many CGI scripts for client-side
processing, easing bandwidth demands, and decreasing server load
for busy Web servers.
Newsgroup-like discussion groups can incorporate sophisticated
features such as threading.
JavaScript's
Place in Navigator
JavaScript is one of the least-used components of Netscape's suite
of interactivity tools (although that is quickly changing), but
it could be the most significant. Not only does it bring interactive
programming within the reach of the average Web author with no
formal programming experience, it can also be used to move much
of the processing away from over-burdened servers to increasingly
powerful client workstations.
JavaScript Programs
Are Built into Web Pages
As opposed to the independent application files used to deliver
Java applets to Web browsers, the actual source code for JavaScript
scripts can be included directly in Web pages. This is distinct
from Java applets, which exist independently of the HTML Web pages.
JavaScript Gives
Programmers Access to Browser Properties
JavaScript is integrated tightly into HTML and the Navigator browser.
Developers have available to them a wide range of tools and information
to interact with the currently loaded HTML document, as well
as the current browser session.
JavaScript exposes properties related to the document windows,
the history list, the loaded documents, frames, forms, and links
to the programmer. In addition, JavaScript can be used to trap
user events, such as changing form values or pointing at links,
so that appropriate programs can be developed for each event.
Java
and JavaScript: Compare and Contrast
Given the tremendous popularity of Java since its introduction
in 1995, it is important to take a look at the differences between
Java and JavaScript. Although they are related-JavaScript borrows
most of Java's syntax, for instance-they are fundamentally different
and serve different purposes. They are complementary rather than
competing with each other.
Using Java-A Complex,
Complete Object-Oriented Programming Language
Java is much more than a language for developing Web-based applications.
It is designed to compete in a market of full-fledged, general-purpose
programming languages such as C, C++, Pascal, and FORTRAN. Unlike
its predecessors, Java's claims to fame include the fact that
it is platform-independent and that it can be used for both applications
development and the development of in-line applets, or small applications,
for Web pages.
Like C++ and Smalltalk, Java is object-oriented and relies heavily
on the syntax and style of C++. With this comes the steep learning
curve of a high-end object-oriented programming language.
A Compiled Language
Unlike most other general-purpose programming languages, Java
is not compiled in the traditional sense. Instead of compiling
to native machine code, the Java compiler converts source code
into Java byte codes (known as architecture-neutral byte-codes)-a
platform-independent representation of the Java program code-which
are then run on a machine-dependent runtime interpreter. In this
way, developers only need to develop and maintain one set of source
code and compile it once, and the code can then be run using the
runtime interpreters for any machine.
Like all compiled languages, though, this adds the complexity
of a compilation cycle to development and especially to debugging.
However, to a certain degree like other compiled languages, an
efficient runtime engine means that Java should offer better performance
than general-purpose, interpreted scripting languages.
Fully Extensible
A fundamental feature of true object-oriented languages is that
they are extensible. That is, programmers can create their own
classes-or groupings of objects and data structures-to extend
the basic classes that are part of the programming languages.
A class is a term used in object-oriented programming to refer to a set of related objects that share common characteristics. Classes, and the ability to create new classes, are what make object-oriented programming a powerful and flexible
programming model.
Java is no exception to this rule. Java programmers routinely
create their own extensions to the base set of tools or classes.
Steep Learning Curve
As mentioned before, object-oriented programming languages tend
to have steep learning curves, especially for nonprogrammers.
Java is not exempt from this difficulty.
The general consensus among beginning programmers is that learning
Java is a formidable task, especially considering the complexity
of the available on-line documentation on the Internet.
Enables Client-Server Interaction
The base set of classes that comes with the Java distribution
make it ideally suited to client-server interactions. The ability
to work with URLs and talk to HTTP servers already exists. The
support for applets adds the ability to interact with user events
in the client Web browser.
In addition, HotJava, the demonstration browser from Sun Microsystems,
demonstrates how Java can become the means by which browsers dynamically
learn to handle new protocols as that ability is needed.
Note
Sun developed HotJava when Java was still in alpha development to demonstrate the potential of Java for distributed applications on the World Wide Web and to show how browsers could dynamically learn to handle new protocols and file types. HotJava is
available for Solaris and 32-bit Windows (Windows NT and Windows 95) from the Java home page at http://www.javasoft.com/.
Developing Stand-Alone Applications and Applets
Java is famous because it can be used to develop applets that
are delivered on the World Wide Web and executed in client Web
browsers. However, Java can also be used to develop complete,
platform-independent GUI applications using the Java runtime interpreter.
Offers Sophisticated Security
Because of the extremely open and public nature of the World Wide
Web, security is a major issue for Java and Java applets. After
all, allowing application code from unknown remote machines to
be downloaded and executed on your computer system is potentially
dangerous. Not only is there potential for applets to contain
viruses, but they could simply be malicious applications intent
on destroying your data and rendering your computer inoperable.
To address this, Sun implemented tight security features from
the earliest stages of Java development. These features include
verification of bytecodes (to ensure they don't violate access
restrictions and more), as well as configurable network security
that ranges from disabling network access to limiting access by
an applet only to the host where the code originated, all the
way to completely free network access.
There have been reports of security holes in the Java environment,
but both Sun and Netscape have been responsive to these reports
and concerns. With each release of Java, security should be improved.
Distinct from HTML
Even though applets are a feature of the World Wide Web and are
included as in-line applets in HTML files, they are distinct and
separate from HTML and HTML files. New HTML tags force a Web browser
to initiate a new connection to the server and tell the browser
where to display the applet's output on the Web page, but beyond
that, applets are separate and distinct from HTML.
Using JavaScript:
A Simple, Object-Based Scripting Language
In contrast to Java, JavaScript joins the ranks of simple, easy-to-use
scripting languages. JavaScript promises an easier learning curve
than Java along with powerful tools to add interactivity to Web
pages with little effort.
Derived from Java
JavaScript owes a lot to Java. Its syntax and basic structure
are similar to Java, even if the range of functions and the style
of programming can differ greatly. JavaScript started life as
Netscape's own scripting language with the name LiveScript, but
in late 1995, Sun endorsed the language, and it became JavaScript.
JavaScript keeps more than just the basic syntax and structure
of Java-it also borrows most of Java's flow constructs and implements
some of the same security precautions, such as preventing applets
from writing to the local disk.
An Interpreted Language
Unlike Java, JavaScript is an interpreted language. Whereas in
Java, source code is compiled prior to runtime, in an interpreted
language, source code files are executed directly at runtime in
JavaScript.
Interpreted languages offer several advantages-as well as several
drawbacks. Interpreted languages such as JavaScript are generally
simpler than compiled languages and are easy to learn. It is often
easier to develop, change, and trouble-shoot programs because
the need to recompile with each change is removed.
On the negative side, the need to interpret commands as the program
is run can produce a performance hit with some interpreted languages.
In the case of JavaScript, this doesn't seem to be a problem.
JavaScript scripts are compiled to byte codes (similar to Java)
as the script is downloaded and evaluated, and for most scripts,
performance feels quite snappy.
Not Fully Extensible
Unlike Java, JavaScript is not fully extensible. The JavaScript
model is one of a limited set of base objects, properties, methods,
and data types, which provide enough capabilities to create client-side
or server-side applications.
While users can create their own objects and write functions,
this is not the same as the classes and inheritance offered in
Java and other object-oriented programming languages.
Since JavaScript is an object-based scripting language, this book
will be devoted to learning about the objects, properties, methods,
and data types available in JavaScript.
Limited Client-Server Interaction
JavaScript in its current form is not designed for complete client-server
interaction. Beyond analyzing, building, and invoking URLs, JavaScript
can't talk directly to servers or talk different protocols. Essentially,
JavaScript is well suited to handling client-end activity.
Still, there are indications that future versions of JavaScript
will support protocols such as HTTP and ftp, but several security
issues surrounding client-server interaction through JavaScript
need to be addressed by Netscape before it implements these features.
In addition, JavaScript is part of the LiveWire Web server offered
by Netscape. LiveWire is aimed at groups and organizations developing
interactive Web applications. In this role, JavaScript provides
an alternative to traditional CGI scripting for server-end programming.
In this sense, JavaScript can be used for client-server interaction.
Integrated into HTML
Where Java is only loosely tied to HTML, JavaScript is tightly
integrated into HTML files. Typically, entire scripts are in the
same files as the HTML that defines a page, and these scripts
are downloaded at the same time as the HTML files.
The
Current State of JavaScript
In undertaking the task of learning JavaScript, it is important
to keep in mind the current status of the language and where its
development appears to be headed.
Under Development
Both Navigator 3.0 and JavaScript are under intense development
and are constantly evolving. So, JavaScript is, by definition,
a language under development (as are most programming languages).
In practical terms, that means that the complete language specification
is not implemented yet.
In a very real way, JavaScript is a moving target. From Navigator
2.0 to Navigator 3.0, the feature set has been expanded greatly
and changed noticeably. In addition, some existing methods and
properties have been altered. There is no reason to believe that
this development and changing won't extend into future versions
of Navigator.
On top of this, Microsoft's implementation of JavaScript differs
subtly from Netscape's, and there is no guarantee that these differences
won't persist or change over time.
Supported by Sun
In late November 1995, LiveScript became JavaScript in a joint
announcement by Netscape and Sun that Sun would be supporting
JavaScript as the Java-based open scripting standard for the Internet.
Given this support, there is little doubt that JavaScript will
continue to resemble Java and that it will become the choice tool
for gluing Java applets into Web pages, at least in the Netscape
environment.
Essentially, this endorsement from Sun breathed life into a scripting
language that very few people were paying attention to, but which
is now the hot topic on the World Wide Web.
Endorsed by Many Companies
Sun Microsystems isn't the only company to support JavaScript.
At the same time as Netscape and Sun made their announcement,
more than 28 companies including America Online, Apple Computers,
Oracle, Silicon Graphics, Architext, and SCO announced that they
would also be endorsing JavaScript as the open scripting standard
for the Internet, and many indicated they were considering licensing
the technology to include in their own products.
Potential Use in
Different Products
In addition to including JavaScript in its Navigator Web browser,
Netscape is including JavaScript in its server-end application
development environment called LiveWire.
This makes it possible that the momentum for CGI programming using
Perl and Bourne or C shell may shift toward JavaScript, which
would provide a consistent development environment at both the
client and server ends.
In addition, the endorsements from numerous companies mean that
JavaScript will start to appear in products from companies other
than Netscape and in products other than Web browsers and servers.
As mentioned earlier, JavaScript is already supported in Microsoft's
Internet Explorer.
In addition, Netscape has proposed JavaScript as a scripting standard
for the World Wide Web.
JavaScript Today:
Scripting for the Netscape Web Browser
In this book, we are focusing on using JavaScript in the Navigator
Web browser because this is where most JavaScript development
is taking place and because this is the easiest environment in
which to learn and practice JavaScript. JavaScript is also available
in Microsoft's new Internet Explorer version 3. Internet Explorer
also includes another scripting language VBScript based on the
company's Visual Basic programming language. VBScript is not covered
in this book.
What
Is JavaScript?
By now, you probably have some idea of what JavaScript is and
what it isn't, but let's look more closely at the features you'll
be learning and using throughout the course of this book.
JavaScript Is a Scripting
Language
Scripting languages have been in use long before the Web came
around. In the UNIX environment, scripts have been used to perform
repetitive system administration tasks and to automate many tasks
for less computer-literate users. In addition, scripting languages
are the basis of much of the CGI-BIN programming that is currently
used to add a limited form of interactivity to Web pages.
Examples of scripting languages include Perl, well known in CGI
programming, Awk and SED (designed for intensive text processing),
and even HyperTalk which, like JavaScript, is an object-oriented
scripting language.
Of course, this still doesn't tell you what the main advantages
of scripting languages are. Like all scripting languages, JavaScript
is interpreted, which provides an easy development process; it
contains a limited and easy-to-learn command set and syntax; and
it is designed for performing a well-defined set of tasks.
Designed for Simple,
Small Programs
Because JavaScript is a scripting language, it is well suited
to implementing simple, small programs. For instance, JavaScript
would ideally be suited to developing a unit conversion calculator
between miles and kilometers or pounds and kilograms. These tasks
can be easily written and performed at acceptable speeds with
JavaScript and would be easily integrated into a Web page. A more
robust language such as Java would be far less suitable for the
quick development and easy maintenance of these types of applications.
By contrast, JavaScript would not be well suited to implementing
a distributed CAD document display and manipulation environment.
While eventually JavaScript will be a tool for integrating this
type of Java applet or plug-in into a Web page, to attempt to
develop the actual applet in JavaScript would be at best, difficult
and inefficient and, more likely, would be impossible.
Of course, this doesn't mean that sophisticated applications can't
be-and aren't being-developed with JavaScript. Nonetheless, scripting
languages are generally used for smaller tasks rather than for
full, compiled programs.
Performs Repetitive Tasks
Just as JavaScript is suited to producing small programs, it is
especially well designed for repetitive, event-invoked tasks.
For example, JavaScript is ideal for calculating the content of
one field in a form based on changes to the data in another field.
Each time the data changes, the JavaScript program to handle the
event is invoked, and the new data for the other field is calculated
and displayed.
Designed for Programming
User Events
Because of the way in which JavaScript is integrated into the
browser and can interact directly with HTML pages, JavaScript
makes it possible to program responses to user events such as
mouse clicks and data entry in forms.
For instance, a JavaScript script could be used to implement a
simple help system. Whenever the user points at a button or a
link on the page, a helpful and informative message can be displayed
in the status bar at the bottom of the browser window.
This adds interactivity to Web pages, makes forms dynamic, and
can decrease the bandwidth requirements and server load incurred
by using forms and CGI programming.
Easy Debugging and Testing
Like other scripting languages, JavaScript eases development and
trouble-shooting because it is not compiled. It is easy to test
program code, look at the results, make changes, and test it again
without the overhead and delay of compiling.
The Java Glue
When Netscape announced JavaScript, it referred to the language
as the tool to "glue Java applets into Web pages." With
Navigator 3.0 this has become possible. JavaScript can trigger
events in Java applets, and Java applets can call JavaScript methods
and functions.
JavaScript
Is Object-Based
Object-oriented is a term that has been overused by the
media and marketing arm of the computer and software industries.
Nonetheless, the fact that JavaScript has a limited object-oriented
model is an important distinction.
JavaScript's Object Model
In order to understand what it means for JavaScript to be object-based,
we need to look at objects and how they work.
Fundamentally, objects are a way of organizing information,
along with the methods for manipulating and using that information.
Objects provide a way to define specific pieces of data related
to the item in question; these pieces are known as properties.
In addition, these are supplemented by tasks that can be
performed on or with that information, known as methods.
Together properties and methods make up objects.
Because of the general nature of objects, specific instances can
be created for each case where they are needed. For instance,
a car object could then have several instances for Toyotas, Fords,
and Volkswagens.
A Comparison
with Procedural Languages
Defining objects in this way differs greatly from the way in which
information is handled in traditional procedural programming languages
such as FORTRAN and C.
In these languages, information and procedures (similar to methods)
are kept separate and distinct and are not linked in the way that
objects are. Also, the concept of creating instances isn't as
well developed in procedural languages.
Working
with Objects in JavaScript
JavaScript includes built-in objects to work with elements of
the currently loaded HTML document, as well as performing other
useful tasks, such as mathematical calculations. It also offers
the programmer the chance to create her own objects.
Built-In Objects
JavaScript offers a set of built-in objects that provide information
about the currently loaded Web page and its contents, as well
as the current session of Navigator. In addition, these objects
provide methods for working with their properties.
The Navigator Object Hierarchy
Most of the built-in objects in JavaScript are part of the Navigator
Object Hierarchy. The Navigator Object Hierarchy is built from
a single base object called the window
object, as illustrated in the following outline.
Navigator
Window
Location
History
Document
Forms
Anchors
Table 1.1 highlights the major JavaScript objects.
Table 1.1. Overview of the Navigator Object Hierarchy.
ObjectDescription
navigator
The navigator object provides properties that expose information about the current browser to JavaScript scripts.
window
The window object provides methods and properties for dealing with the actual Navigator window, including objects for each frame.
location
The location object provides properties and methods for working with the currently open URL.
history
The history object provides information about the history list and enables limited interaction with the list.
document
The document object is one of the most heavily used objects in the hierarchy. It contains objects, properties, and methods for working with document elements including forms, links, anchors, and with applets.
Other Built-In Objects
In addition to the objects in the Navigator Object Hierarchy,
JavaScript provides several objects that are not related to the
current windows or loaded documents. Table 1.2 outlines the major
features of these objects.
Table 1.2. Other built-in objects.
ObjectDescription
string
The string object enables programs to work with and manipulate strings of text, including extracting substrings and converting text to upper- or lowercase characters.
Math
The Math object provides methods to perform trigonometric functions, such as sine and tangent, as well as general mathematical functions, such as square roots.
Date
With the Date object, programs can work with the current date or create instances for specific dates. The object includes methods for calculating the difference between two dates and working with times.
Extending JavaScript: Creating Your Own Objects
In addition to a wide range of built-in objects, as a JavaScript
programmer, you can create your own objects to use in your scripts.
Properties
For example, if you need to build an object in JavaScript to represent
the different types of airplanes sold by an aircraft manufacturer,
you would have several pieces of information related to the airplane
that you would want included in the object, including the following:
Model
Price
Normal seating capacity
Normal cargo capacity
Maximum speed
Fuel capacity
Properties are like variables in traditional languages, such as
C and Pascal. Variables are named containers which are used to
hold pieces of data, such as numbers or text. Variables are discussed
in more detail in Chapter 3, "Working
with Data and Information."
So, in JavaScript, if you call your object airplane,
these properties might be referred to as:
airplane.model
airplane.price
airplane.seating
airplane.cargo
airplane.maxspeed
airplane.fuel
Note
As you will learn later, in JavaScript, the properties of objects are referred to by the structure object-name.property-name.
Methods
Of course, having this information isn't worth much without ways
to use the information. For instance, in this example, you want
to be able to print out a nicely formatted description of the
aircraft or be able to calculate the maximum distance the plane
can travel based on the fuel capacity.
In object-oriented terminology, these tasks are known as methods.
Like properties, your methods might be referred to as:
airplane.description()
airplane.distance()
Objects within Objects
Objects can also include other objects in much the same way as
properties and methods. For instance, the airplane manufacturer
may want to include an object inside his object definition to
handle information about the number of planes in use worldwide,
who is using them, and their safety records. This information,
along with methods for working with the information, could be
combined into an object called airplane.record.
This object could then include properties and methods such as:
airplane.record.number_in_use
airplane.record.crashes
airplane.record.newscale()
Instances
What you have created is a general description of an object that
defines the information you want to work with and the ways you
want to work with it. These general descriptions of objects are
known as classes. In object-oriented programming, then, you can
create specific instances of the class as needed.
Note
In object-oriented programming, creating specific copies of classes is known as creating instances. JavaScript itself is classless, but provides mechanisms to create instances of objects (thus providing the same basic functionality). We cover the details
of creating objects and instances in Chapter 4, "Functions and Objects-The Building Blocks of Programs."
For instance, in this example, the airplane manufacturer might
want to create an instance of the airplane
object for its newest aircraft, the SuperPlane. If this instance
were created, then a program could assign specific values to the
properties of the new instance by referring to superplane.price,
superplane.model, and so
on. Likewise, a description of the new plane could be printed
out using superplane.description().
Strengths
of JavaScript
JavaScript offers several strengths to the programmer including
a short development cycle, ease-of-learning, and small size scripts.
These strengths mean that JavaScript can be easily and quickly
used to extend HTML pages already on the Web.
Quick Development
Because JavaScript does not require time-consuming compilation,
scripts can be developed in a relatively short period of time.
This is enhanced by the fact that most of the interface features,
such as dialog boxes, forms, and other GUI elements, are handled
by the browser and HTML code. JavaScript programmers don't have
to worry about creating or handling these elements of their applications.
Easy to Learn
While JavaScript may share many similarities with Java, it doesn't
include the complex syntax and rules of Java. By learning just
a few commands and simple rules of syntax, along with understanding
the way objects are used in JavaScript, it is possible to begin
creating fairly sophisticated programs.
Platform Independence
Because the World Wide Web, by its very nature, is platform-independent,
JavaScript programs created for Netscape Navigator are not tied
to any specific hardware platform or operating system. The same
program code can be used on any platform for which Navigator 2.0
is available.
Small Overhead
JavaScript programs tend to be fairly compact and are quite small,
compared to the binary applets produced by Java. This minimizes
storage requirements on the server and download times for the
user. In addition, because JavaScript programs usually are included
in the same file as the HTML code for a page, they require fewer
separate network accesses.
Weaknesses
of JavaScript
As would be expected, JavaScript also has its own unique weaknesses.
These include a limited set of built-in methods, the inability
to protect source code from prying eyes, and the fact that JavaScript
still doesn't have a mature development and debugging environment.
Limited Range of Built-In
Methods
Early versions of the Navigator 2.0 beta included a version of
JavaScript that was rather limited. In the final release of Navigator
2, the number of built-in methods had significantly increased,
but still didn't include a complete set of methods to work with
documents and the client windows. With the release of Navigator
3, things have taken a further step forward with the addition
of numerous methods, properties, and event handlers.
No Code Hiding
Because the source code of JavaScript script presently must be
included as part of the HTML source code for a document, there
is no way to protect code from being copied and reused by people
who view your Web pages.
This raises concerns in the software industry about protection
of intellectual property. The consensus is that JavaScript scripts
are basically freeware at this point in time.
Lack of Debugging
and Development Tools
Most well-developed programming environments include a suite of
tools that make development easier and simplify and speed up the
debugging process.
Currently, there are some HTML editors and programming editors
that provide JavaScript support. In addition, there are some on-line
tools for debugging and testing JavaScript scripts. However, there
are really no integrated development environments such as those
available for Java, C, or C++. LiveWire from Netscape provides
some development features but is not a complete development environment
for client-side JavaScript.
Summary
JavaScript is one of several key components in Netscape Navigator
designed to help Web developers produce interactive applications
on the Internet. Other features include support for plug-ins,
frames, and of course, Java.
Where Java is compiled, object-oriented, complex, and distinct
from HTML, JavaScript is interpreted, object-based, simple to
use and learn, and tightly integrated with HTML.
JavaScript exposes properties of the current browser session to
the programmer, including elements of the currently loaded HTML
pages, such as forms, frames, and links.
In this chapter we also took a look at the implications of the
fact that JavaScript is a scripting language, took a close look
at what objects are and how they are used in JavaScript, and took
a broad look at the built-in objects in JavaScript.
You learned that, while JavaScript offers many benefits including
a quick development cycle and platform independence, it still
has drawbacks.
In the next chapter, you will begin taking a look at the specifics
of developing JavaScript scripts and will work on your first script.
Q&A
QI've used only visual programming tools for making Web pages. Can I learn JavaScript? How will knowing JavaScript make my home page better?
AWhile it's true that programming in JavaScript is more similar to programming in C than using a visual programming tool, most JavaScript programming is simple enough to make it easy for the complete beginner.
In addition, the development of interfaces to JavaScript programs almost entirely involves the use of HTML and HTML forms, which can be developed in a visual environment using several HTML development tools, including Navigator Gold from Netscape.
If you learn JavaScript, you will be able to add interactivity to Web pages. For instance, if a user enters data in a form, a result can be calculated and displayed for the user. Similarly, if the user moves the mouse over a link or button, help
information can be displayed in the status bar of the Navigator window.
QI want to add interactivity to my Web pages. Should I learn Java or JavaScript?
AJava and JavaScript are not competitors. They are complementary programming languages which both extend the functionality of Web browsers-in this case Netscape Navigator.
You will find that Java is suited to a set of tasks different from JavaScript. For instance, a viewing tool for CAD documents would need to be developed using Java applets while an interactive HTML form could only be developed using JavaScript.