Week 5 Apirl 9

DOM, Javascript

This is where we switch gears from design to implementation. We'll start with client-side programming using JavaScript, which is used for everything from simple rollovers to complex calculators.

To make JavaScript work consistently, you need to understand the Document Object Model, or DOM, that the browser uses to represent objects to be manipulated (images, form fields, etc).

Readings on DOM and Basic Javascript

* Thau's JavaScript Tutorial, Lessons 1-3

* You know that some tags are inside of others in an HTML webpage. In terms of a tree diagram, those tags would be considered "children" of the first tag. Take a look at this LINK and sample code

Reference Sources:

* DevGuru Javascript Quick Reference Guide
* Visibone Javascript Reference

Images
* DOM
* HTML Tree
* Widow Document HTML

DOM Tutorials

DOM stands for the Document Object Model, and it's a way of representing a document using Object Oriented programming. It basically allows you to have access to any part of the document you want by calling functions. Within the Document Object Model (DOM), all page elements are placed in a treelike hierarchy. Every HTML tag is a node within this tree, with subnodes and parent nodes. Also, every text portion is its own DOM node. Dynamic HTML, an extension of HTML that enables, among other things, the inclusion of small animations and dynamic menus in Web pages. DHTML code makes use of style sheets and JavaScript. Learn what is Dynamic HTML (DHTML), how it can be applied to web page elements and how you can use it to create interactive Web pages.