The reduced set of differences
between browsers meant that smaller code libraries could be developed to reduce the complexity
of cross-browser development. Smart programmers also took advantage of JavaScript
in ways that few had done before. JavaScript??™s resurgence is here!
Google demonstrated that JavaScript-powered applications were ready for the mainstream.
Google Maps (http://maps.google.com/) and Google Suggest (www.google.com/
webhp?complete=1) were just two of many applications that showed the power, speed, and
interactivity that could be achieved.
CHAPTER 1 n THE STATE OF JAVASCRIPT 2
JavaScript Meets HTML with the DOM
Although this discussion is about JavaScript and its evolution, it??™s the DOM (which has evolved
immensely from its early days) that takes center stage in the browser. Netscape, back in version
2 when JavaScript was invented, enabled you to access form and image elements. When
IE version 3 was released, it mimicked how Netscape did things to compete and not have
pages appear broken.
As the version 4 browsers were released, both browsers tried to expand their capabilities
by enabling ways to interact with more of the page; in particular, to position and move elements
around the page. Each browser approached things in different and proprietary ways,
causing plenty of headaches.
The W3C developed its first DOM recommendation as a way to standardize the
approach that all browsers took, making it easier for developers to create functionality that
worked across all browsers??”just like the HTML recommendations.
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