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Dynamic HTML: The Definitive Reference (Dynamic Html)

by Danny Goodman
Released 2006-12-27
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Buy it from AmazonNew for $37.79

159 Reviews

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5 stars You wanted DHTML? You got DHTML!

2000-02-24     211 of 213 found this review helpful

I've purchased several books (Javascript: the Definitive Guide, Netscape ONE Developers Guide, etc) relating to Javascript and Web development. I recently became interested in the functionality that DHTML provides and although I have several books on Javascript, I had nothing which directly references DHTML techniques. This is the book if you want to learn BOTH Javascript AND DHTML - the two are linked inextricably as you'll find if you purchase this book.

On the cover, you'll see in smallish lettering "A Comprehensive Resource for HTML, CSS, DOM & JavaScript" - they're not kidding.

Section one contains Applying Dynamic HTML information and covers everything from cross-platform techniques to actual scripting of dynamic events on your webpages.

Section two contains all the reference sections - HTML, Document Objects, Style Sheet Attributes, and a Javascript Core Language reference. This provides everything from supporting browser versions to reference examples, properties and methods for each element - it is exhaustive.

Section three provides cross references so you can find objects or HTML attributes and what elements support them. Ever want to know exactly which objects support the ONCLICK event handler? - here's where you'd go...

Even the 4 appendixes are useful and include a table of color names and RGB values, HTML character entities (special characters), a listing of keyboard events and their character values (useful for initiating code when specific keys are pressed), and finally a reference area for Internet Explorer commands not specifically covered by the document object model.

This is a must buy book for any HTML developer out there - even if you're not at the DHTML level yet.

5 stars Great manual on portable modern HTML

2000-06-01     37 of 38 found this review helpful

While this book may be a bit intimidating for first-time web authors, it is an incredibly useful manual for those who know the basics of HTML and need a reference to newer features and standards.

The first section is an extremely well-written overview of modern HTML: the history and philosophies behind CSS, javascript, the Document Object Model, and the designs of the two major browsers, as well as some excellent examples of writing portable code to access these features from different platforms and browsers. The clarity of the writing here is a very pleasant surprise from what is really just a reference manual and simply doesn't need to be this good. This section alone is probably enough to bring most "tag-only" authors up to date on the newer dynamic technologies.

It is the reference sections, however, for which most readers will buy this book, and they are excellent. There are comprehensive listings of HTML tags (including rendering behavior as well as scriptable attributes), javascript primitives, and DOM structures. Most importantly, every entry in the reference section is labelled very clearly with which browser and/or standards versions support it, a crucial piece of information to cross-platform authors which is left out of many similar books.

All in all, this book may be the only reference a developer really needs on his bookshelf for writing dynamic HTML. The only major complaint I have is that the author is (understandably) very script-centric, and never sufficiently discusses the down side of using heavily scripted pages when static pages or server-side scripts may suffice.

5 stars Every Web Author Should Have One!

2000-01-03     31 of 32 found this review helpful

As a "reference" book (that is, not a tutorial or manual or *dummies* book) is meant to be used by people already familiar with what they are doing and need a comprehensive source to look something up, this book is the perfect model of a great reference work and belongs on every web deleloper's desk. It offers detailed info on HTML elements, DOM, CSS, and JavaScript. As this is a DHTML reference, the Javascript section is sorely lacking, though. A great feature is that for each element, property and attribute, it tells you which versions of Netscape and IE supports that element. Descriptions and examples are also provided for each entry. It also briefly explains how to use DHTML and cross-platform problems. Another consideration is that since this is such a large reference, it takes a little time to get used to its organization and how to look things up. But this is the one web book I keep referring back to all the time.

5 stars An amazing book!

2004-07-23     25 of 26 found this review helpful

I bought this book to learn how to create a new menu system for a web site that I'm working on, and I certainly don't regret the choice. Danny Goodman's book does a very good job of covering Dynamic HTML (DHTML), HTML (Hypertext Markup Language), CSS (Cascading Style Sheets), DOM (Document Object Model) and even JavaScript.

The amount of information in this book is incredible. 1400 pages! (Not 1500, as currently indicated at Amazon.com, incidentally, but 1400 is sufficient.)

Mr. Goodman explains the current situation, where Microsoft's Internet Explorer follows one "standard" and the other browsers follow the W3C standards to varying degrees. He also indicates which version of MS IE first began to support each feature, allowing you to decide whether you want to use some feature that some of your clients' older browsers may not support. This kind of information is invaluable if you want to make your web site cross-browser compatible, including support for Macintosh, Unix, Linux, etc., as well as Windows.

My only criticism is that the book is unfortunately becoming a bit dated. It was published in Sept. 2002 so it obviously can't contain any information about the latest versions of web browsers. On the other hand, Microsoft has not released any new version of IE for over two years, so it's only information about the latest versions of Netscape and other browsers that is missing.

One additional thing I liked about this book was that Danny Goodman sometimes uses an almost poetic English, something rather unusual in a technology book. A couple of examples from page 19: "... can be a challenge unto itself." "If the inexorable flow of new browser versions..."

Highly recommended if you are making web pages that require the use of Dynamic HTML.

Rennie Petersen

1 stars Out of date and overpriced.

2001-06-30     24 of 29 found this review helpful

The reason this book ranks so high is that it's a thick, expensive, convoluted cookbook of singular examples without any real coverage of the subject matter.

In other words, its a marketing dept's dream!

This book hasn't been updated since 1998, and hasn't kept pace with technology.

..., the last chapter on DHTML is entitled "Looking Ahead to HTML 4.0" We're beyond HTML 4.0 and on to XHTML, XML, etc.!

The fact that this chapter ends on page 163 should tell you something. The Book is 1073 page long! The remaining 910 are poor references for HTML 3.2, Javascript 1, and CSS 1. All of which are out of date. And where is the analysis of the Document Object Model? Oh, I forgot, it gets 2 pages! The DOM IS WHAT MAKES DHTML POSSIBLE...

5 stars Every Web Author Should Have One!

2000-01-04     23 of 25 found this review helpful

As a *reference* book (that is, not a tutorial or manual or *dummies* book) is meant to be used by people already familiar with what they are doing and need a comprehensive source to look something up, this book is the perfect model of a great reference work and belongs on every web deleloper's desk. It offers detailed info on HTML elements, DOM, CSS, and JavaScript. As this is a DHTML reference, the Javascript section is sorely lacking, though. A great feature is that for each element, property and attribute, it tells you which versions of Netscape and IE supports that element. Descriptions and examples are also provided for each entry. It also briefly explains how to use DHTML and cross-platform problems. Another consideration is that since this is such a large reference, it takes a little time to get used to its organization and how to look things up. But this is the one web book I keep referring back to all the time.

5 stars Web Developers need to worship this Bible

2002-11-28     21 of 21 found this review helpful

Simply put, this book is amazing. It is a complete reference for HTML, CSS, and much of JavaScript (focusing on DOM). If you are looking for a more complete JavaScript reference, I highly recommend Flanagan's JS book, also in the O'Reilly series. Let's face it... It's hard to remember every CSS property, HTML tag, and DOM attribute. Sure, you could do what I used to do and haul 3-4 books around everywhere, or you could get this one book and save yourself the trouble.

What I found most amazing about this book is that it has *every* CSS-2 property that exists. Some of them aren't even supported by Netscape or IE, but they are part of the W3 CSS standard and this book includes them, and even explains their purpose. I find this most amazing. Hopefully Micro$oft and NS will get off their behind and make a fully compliant CSS-2 web-browser :).

Let me tell what this book is not. It is not a tutorial, how-to guide, or system of wonders for those just starting out in web-development, DHTML, or CSS. Although it does have a brief tutorial section (about 180 pages), the core of the book (the remaining 1000 or so pages) is the most concise DHTML reference I have ever seen. This book measures a whole inch thicker than the old version and it's fresh with content, supporting the lastest CSS-Level 2 browsers (Netscape 6+ and IE 5+). The author makes it clear in the beginning of the book that many of the techniques and references presented here are not backwards compatible with Version 4 browsers; as he cleverly mentions, since browsers are free to download, there is no reason for anyone to still be using an older browser. If you're looking for V4 support, he recommends his previous edition. It is nice to know this edition wasn't bogged down with dated material that most of us will never need. V4 compatibility is a pain in and of itself.

When CSS-3 makes its debut in the next year or two (wishful thinking :)), I'd be happy if Mr. Goodman's next version of this text will be half as good as this one. Hopefully it won't take 4 years to come out, though. I do think this current version was needed about 1-2 years ago. It's nice to have it now. This one gets an A+++ in my book!

4 stars The title says it all: THE Definitive Reference

2000-12-08     20 of 22 found this review helpful

If you're looking for a beginner's guide to HTML, JavaScript or CSS, this is NOT the book for you. It's not a tutorial, or a "how to" book.

If, on the other hand, you're a journeyman web developer, this is *the* reference for client-side technologies. It covers HTML (through HTML 4), JavaScript (through IE & NS 4), the Document Object Model (DOM Level 1) and CSS (including CSS-P and CSS2) in exhaustive detail, with syntax, usage, DOM references, and browser/platform support notes for every tag, attribute, property and function, all in one book.

My only complaints are:

A) the layout is dense, so it takes a little time to learn how to make full use of it;

B) there are a few minor editorial errors in this edition;

C) it's a 1998 edition, so it doesn't specifically cover IE5 or Netscape 6.

All in all, a remarkable reference work. I use it literally every day. I just hope my current copy doesn't fall apart until the 2nd edition is available!

5 stars Excellent Resource - add it to your bookshelf!

2000-03-31     17 of 17 found this review helpful

Though not the place you should go to learn DHTML outright, any web developer with an idea of how HTML, CSS, and JavaScript work will greatly benefit from this book.

The first pages contain a decent overview of how to use each aspect of DHTML featured in the book, so even if you're not familiar with something, you can get a good basis from where to start.

The book's main function is in its role as a reference. I absolutely LOVE this book. Every time I run across something I don't understand, a quick peek in the index and a complete explanation, including examples, is there to guide me.

Obviously this isn't a book to read cover-to-cover (unless you really wanted to), look at it as a DHTML encyclopedia, bearing a wealth of information. It is indexed very intelligently with both tabbed sections for HTML, DOM, CSS, and JavaScript, as well as a full alphabetical index in the back.

Whether you are new or old to web development, this book will definitely benefit you. Get it for your bookshelf, you'll find yourself flipping through it all the time. Not to mention there's a cute flamingo on the cover, who can resist a flamingo? :)

5 stars Best. Reference. Evar!

2004-12-01     12 of 12 found this review helpful

As a web applications developer, I am constantly enveloped in DHTML.

This book is a lifesaver. This book is not just recommended for all UI developers, it is an absolute *necessity*. The book itself is not so significant in what you learn from it. Goodman only spends 186 pages on the practice of DHTML, but the rest of this 1343 (not including index) behemoth is dedicated to pure, unadulterated information.

Yeah, lots of books have lots of information. What makes this book unique is:

1. The excellent organization of this information
2. The depth of this information
3. The accuracy of this information
4. The relevance of this information (even though the second edition came out in 2002)

This book is an absolute necessity, even more so for anyone doing cross browser DHTML. One of the great things about this book is how Goodman has gone out of his way to emphasize compatability of elements, CSS, and JavaScript between the two major browers (Netscape and IE).

Like others have mentioned, this book is *not* meant for newbies. It is *not* designed to help you learn HTML, JavaScript, or CSS. It is what it is: a reference book. This book can be used by newbies, but should only be used as a companion reference to more accessible books (try HTML Goodies by Joe Burns). For seasoned DHTML programmers, this book is the best of its kind and an absolute necessity.

5 stars Best all-around reference

1999-12-08     12 of 12 found this review helpful

This book has been invaluable to me in my business of building web sites for the internet and intranets. I buy one for every new employee who works in development. It's clear, unfluffy, comprehensive and EXTREMELY well organized, as so many other reference books aren't (including others by O'Reilly). There are a few minor inconsistencies here and there but these are nothing compared to other so-called reference books I've read.

You will get not only the DOM model and a great html reference, but clear understanding and syntax for cascading style sheets (not the easiest thing in the world to catch on to), container concepts, and an introduction to Javascript.

If you only buy one web reference book - buy this one. I've been doing this work full time for a year and a half and I still pull this book off the shelf before any others.

5 stars Exceptionally good

2005-01-03     11 of 11 found this review helpful

Goodman must have invested an astonishing amount of grunt work in compiling the reference material, but it's not just the content that sets this book apart; the layout and index are also excellent.

This is among the very best reference books I've ever used, but don't mistake it for anything else. It's not a tutorial.

My only caveat is that the book's coverage of JavaScript is rather superficial.

5 stars Absolutely the best

2000-02-03     11 of 12 found this review helpful

I've been developing web pages for some time now, and have found this reference to be indespensable. Absolutely, positively the best html reference book out there. Extremely thorough coverage of HTML tags, DOM and CSS, and a decent Javascript refernce to boot. If you already know some HTML, and are looking for a difinitive reference (not a tutorial), then this is an absolute must-have.

5 stars Invaluable Reference

2003-03-04     10 of 10 found this review helpful

Certainly not a cover to cover read! After owning and using this book, I have to agree with the cover when it brags to be the Definitive Reference. Despite its immense size, information is so well organized that I have yet to have difficulty finding exactly what I need in a quick and efficient manner.

The book provides complete references for HTML, XHTML, DOM, Events, CSS and JavaScript/Jscript. It is a shame that the Table of Contents is not presented as that truly shows how complete this title is. Luckily, the TOC is presented on the publisher's web site and I recommend a visit there to see for yourself. Each element reference is complete with information on properties, methods, examples and explanations in a straightforward arraignment. Beyond the references are sections dedicated to explaining how to use the technologies. These sections are not designed as a learners guide, but do provide the information necessary to implement the technology.

I could not imagine my web development without this title. It has been a constant presence on my desk since the first release.

5 stars The ONE "Go To" Book - FOUR great references in one

2002-10-30     10 of 10 found this review helpful

This isn't a "how to" book, it's the "GO TO" book when you have to find the details on HTML tags, attributes, settings, JavaScript calls, DOM attributes, CSS settings etc. It's one you don't outgrow since it's the complete "one stop" reference.

This is the ONLY web book that's never on the shelf since I keep by my computer contantly since "it's all in there." My old copy has a frayed cover, numerous bookmarks and dirty page edges since I use so often. When I saw the 2nd ed. was out I ordered it immediately since I've been waiting for it for years --even though the 1st ed. really isn't out of date (if you're building cross-platform).

Bottom line is that it's FOUR reference books in one: HTML (now with XHTML), DOM, CSS, & JavaScript --and now includes Event Handling. There's also all the appendices you need with codes, character entities, and more. It has the details, simple examples, and short overviews you need even if you've been doing web development for years (as I have).

3 stars Dynamic HTML The Inaccurate Reference

2000-01-30     10 of 21 found this review helpful

The good point of this book is the three sections providing complete cross-referenced information on HTML, DOM, and Javascript. The big weakness is the front sections describing application of DHTML to web pages.

The purpose of a book such as this is to instruct readers in how to apply DHTML to design of web pages. As such, accuracy of information presented and examples given is absolutely critical.

Too often the information presented is a best misleading, and at worst just plain wrong. To cite a specific example consider Figure 4-5 and the associated HTML code on page 71. The author implies that this simple element positioning will work in both Netscape 4+ and Internet Explorer 4+. Yes in so far as it goes for that example exactly as written. But just try something as simple as duplicating the same code twice on a single web page (changing tag ids of course so the tag ids are not repeated) and see what happens in Netscape!

This is just one specific example of many I found where the author states or implies that a certain procedure will work for both browsers, but in fact unpredictable problems or failures will arise. This sort of error is deadly for a book that purports to be the definitive reference.

5 stars If you buy just 1 web-authoring book, this should be it!

1999-10-28     10 of 10 found this review helpful

I've had this book for about a month & have opened it for reference many times without disappointment. I haven't opened the HTML or CSS books I have since I got this one, haven't needed to. I was skeptical about buying another book covering the same subjects, but it has been well worth it. I wish I had bought this book before the others - I would not have needed to buy them at all.

5 stars The authoritative reference

2005-12-18     9 of 9 found this review helpful

This hefty volume is not for the beginner, but for the working professional who needs to know exactly what features are available to them and what browser versions they will work with. It's the only book of its kind with this version information. It also includes the exact official specification of HTML, the DOM, and Javascript -- uncovering just how poor a lot of browser support is for much of these technologies (especially CSS declarations for audio, for example). I recommend this book to my upper level web development students as the last word on web development usage. The only real flaws are logistical -- the difficulty of managing a traditionally bound 1500 page book, getting it to stay open, spines splitting, that sort of thing. But the information is unparalleled. With CSS3 on the way, I anticipate another revision in the near future, and I'll be the first in line to buy another one.

5 stars DHTML and Much, Much More!

2000-12-18     9 of 10 found this review helpful

Before reading this book I had a basic knowledge of HTML, but beyond that, I was clueless. I bought this book because I was getting more involved in web design and needed to know more than just a little HTML. This book has met every expectation I had of it and more. The title is a bit deceiving, it is much more than just a reference for DHTML. It is a book with extremely thorough reference sections on HTML(292 pages to be exact), DOM (375 pages), CSS (72 pages), and JavaScript (68 pages), each of which is cross referenced. A reference book must have a good index, and this book certainly does. The author does a great job in the first section on applying DHTML at introducing you to the concept of DHTML and how to apply it to your web pages. It does a great job at distinguishing between the two major browsers (IE and Netscape) and how to program around their differences. I found this book to truly be the "definitive reference" for all my web design needs.

- Count

5 stars Most definitely definitive

2000-02-01     9 of 9 found this review helpful

In scholarly works, the word definitive often gets used with the frequency and permanence of a political promise. In this case however, it should be capitalized, underlined and bolded, because it fits. Of all the hundreds of books that I own concerning web development, this one gets used as much as all the others put together. I can count on my fingers the number of times I found something in another source after failing to find it in this one. It is the only reference book that I have ever required my students to buy, and is the only book where I purchased two copies, just in case.

4 stars Beginners beware but great for the more experienced

2003-08-09     8 of 9 found this review helpful

If you don't already know basic HTML, a little JavaScript, and a little CSS, might I suggest starting somewhere else? "Web Design in a Nutshell" perhaps is a better place to start.

However, if you've been slinging the around for a while and aren't afraid to nest tables using nothing but a text editor, this is the book for you. Quite comprehensive, it'll sling through just about every facet of HTML a browser can recognize, a few doesn't (but should), and several more that it shouldn't (but does). A light sprinkling of CSS and JavaScript help put the D in DHTML here.

The positive points here are for the comprehensiveness and the sheer VOLUME of this volume. It's a dense reference with some good chapters on basic programming (vis a vis DHTML, of course) and best practice techniques. It covers backwards-compatibility but focuses on future-forwardness with a special emphasis on the DOM and W3C standards.

The point comes off because all that comprehensiveness can make it a little daunting to sift through it. You really need to have a pretty good idea of what you're looking for in the first place. Which is fine for intermediate and advanced users ... which is who this book is for anyway. (So that's really only half a point.) The other half point comes off for the CSS/JavaScript stuff -- it's a bit thin -- but then again, this book is already thicker than Flanagan's JavaScript Guide which was the thickest book on my shelf until this arrived. So there's coverage but it's general. But the HTML coverage is right on.

In short: Great resource for intermediate to advanced developers but a bit too daunting for the novices. Or the faint of heart.

5 stars Truly an Excellent Offering from O'Reilly

2003-02-19     8 of 8 found this review helpful

Not that it's any great surprise, but O'Reilly has put out another great reference. This book has everything. It covers Microsoft, Mozilla, and W3C DOM, CSS1, CSS2, CSS-P, JavaScript and ECMA-Script...the works. This book gives special attention to what works in different browsers and different versions, giving you all the tools you need to create great cross-browser web sites.

This book departs from the first edition in that it no longer claims any support for Netscape 4, which, for all intents and purposes, is a dead platform. The DOM that Netscape tried to work in to version 4 never got accepted by the W3C, and then when Netscape 6 came out, they made the absolutley correct decision to kill the old DOM and move toward the standard. Having said that, this book does still provide adequate coverage of Netscape 4. I say, in doing that, Goodman has gone above and beyond the call of duty.

In short, I wanted to build a website that took advantage of what DHTML has to offer, and having been frustrated by the lack of quality tutorials and references on the web, I bought this. I found it to be very well written and comprehensive to the extreme, and I was up and running with a cross-browser site in no time. If you are going to do web UI development, grab this book.

5 stars "Definitive" is the operative word...

2000-08-10     8 of 8 found this review helpful

Anytime I ventured into DHTML territory, I ended up spending hours searching online to find the answers to my questions, which usually related to the differing DOM implementations in NS and IE. I finally got so sick of it, that I decided I'd shell out money for a reference book, if such a book existed. Well, that book exists, and it's exactly what I wanted. It is a comprehensive, definitive guide to DHTML...or, more accurately, the technologies that combine to form this concept we call DHTML. HTML, CSS, DOM, and JavaScript are all in here in detail. It is not a book for beginners, mind you, but if you spend a lot of time coding, and you're sick of beating your head against a wall because you can't get your cross-browser DHTML to work right, then this is the book to buy. Danny Goodman, thanks for doing all the work so we don't have to!

3 stars Got Milk?

2000-03-10     8 of 26 found this review helpful

Well, you ain't got cookies with this book. Cookies are an oft used mechanism for a server to store information on a browser machine. They are used by Netscape and IE, but nary a mention of how to implement and use cookies can be found in this book. I would not make this negative comment if the publishers did not claim "It contains everything you need to create functional cross-platform web applications...". It is otherwise a good reference for HTML and JAVA, but if you need to know about cookies, you'll have to look elsewhere, like the HTML Source Book, 3rd Edition, by Ian S. Graham. +pb

1 stars Worst book by Goodman _or_ O'Reilly ever

1999-03-11     8 of 9 found this review helpful

I have been a fan of Danny Goodman's books since the heyday of HyperCard, and a fan of O'Reilly & Associates since I first played with Perl many years ago. But this book is far below the standards both have set with their previous works. I have found it to be nearly useless in practice: the index is a vestigial afterthought; the organization of the core reference sections is unwieldy and counterintuitive; the page layout and navigation elements (such as guide entries and section headings) give local information only and don't help the reader maintain a sense of where in the (deep and byzantine) section hierarchy they are. I'm sure a large part of the blame should rest on the chaotic subject itself, but the reputations attached to this book lead to the expectation that it will make sense of a muddied topic, and it just doesn't. This is the first Goodman or O'Reilly book for which I really just want my money back.

5 stars throw out the other books - this is the DHTML bible

1999-11-07     7 of 7 found this review helpful

I am now on my 3rd copy of this book - 1 at home, 1 at work, 1 at my former employer. Very unbiased - it didn't have that 'netscape is great!' or 'IE is great!' bull you get in other books in the genre. Please, Please Danny Goodman, update this book for IE5, Opera, and Mozilla!

5 stars Let's clear the fog!

1999-09-10     7 of 7 found this review helpful

I believe the difference between those who loved this book and those who hated it is this: how often do you work on web design? For "in-my-free-time" developers or beginners I say this, "when you have gotten a fair background in development and want to finally move into serious application, buy this book." For professional web developers like myself I say this, "add this to your library right now!" I have retired my Javascript and HTML books and I don't care if I ever see them again. Now the only books in my library that I use with regularity are this one and "ASP in a Nutshell" and "Developing ASP Components" -- all from O'Reilly. I carry this book with me EVERYWHERE!! BOTTOM LINE: If it's a hobby, it might not be a very useful or exciting read, if its your job then give yourself a break, buy this book now!

5 stars 5 (or so) Books in One

2003-08-08     6 of 6 found this review helpful

This book was recommended to me by a peer. The first day I had it on my desk I was impressed by its ability to take up desk space and stand uprgiht of its own accord. This book is thick. The next 7 days running, the book was open and in use. It is simply invaluable... though I'm glad the pricing doesn't reflect this. If you're using CSS or DHTML or Javascript or HTML, this book will help you no end. The author is exceedingly thorough, every entry is noted as to browser compatibility and has a nice standard layout so you can quickly ascertain properties, methods, implementation and DOM useage.

Wonderfully useful. Buy two, one for you and one for your friend. Don't let your boss see it though... best he thinks you know all this stuff already...

5 stars Excellent work!!! (2nd Edition)

2002-10-11     6 of 6 found this review helpful

This book (2nd Edition) is a must have for all people working with DHTML. First part of the book is like a tutorial explains the basic concept of DHTML and the esssentials you need to know, and the second part of the book is a complete reference of HTML, DOM, CSS, and JavaScript. I spent two days reading the first part from knowing nothing about DHTML to become well knowledged to start my project. This book also covers the latest browsers including IE 6.0 and Netscape 7 and provides some guidelines and suggestions regarding cross-platform support. This helped me a lot when dealing with events since IE and Netscape behaves quite differently in this area. I'd definitely recommend this book to everyone!

5 stars ***** Get Your Red Hot DOM Here *****

2002-09-20     6 of 6 found this review helpful

...This is a whole new book -- and it is about time!

The scripting gurus of yesteryear are finally moving away from their obsession with Netscape 4 hacks and moving to the still mysterious but powerful W3C DOM-based scripting. I was convinced to buy this book after studying a chapter from this edition which was published at webreference.com. I found what Goodman had to teach in that chapter (on browser events and cross-browser normalization) to be both understandable and immediately practical.

This book is the real deal for those Web workers who are continually asked to get browsers to do more -- and do it in a more complex environment. If you have to deal with the various whimsies and treacheries of IE5, IE6, Netscape 7, Mozilla, and Opera, this is the reference you want.

4 stars Very Good But Dated

2001-02-07     6 of 6 found this review helpful

This is a very good reference for HTML, DOM, CSS, and JavaScript. I find the indications about which browsers each entry were introduced in particularly useful. The first sections have a good, brief explanation of the components of DHTML. Two flaws, though: 1) it only covers through IE4 and NN4, leaving me looking for a similar but newer reference that covers IE 5.5 and NN6; and 2) it needs more in the way of even short examples illustrating the entries.

2 stars Not as good as it seems

2000-05-22     6 of 13 found this review helpful

Well here is the story:

My friend and i work as web designers. Well we desided to learn some dhtml and starting looking through books, then we desided to buy 2 books, so that when we'd finish them we could exchange. Well I bought this book and my friend got "DHTML and JavaScript". I was really excited, because i wanted to learn some DHTML and learn how to use layers. CSS was not really my concern because i already read many online pages with tutorials and i know it pretty well(SO as javaScript). Well, when i opened the book i was really disappointed beacuse the book dosn't even talk about layers. Just CSS and JavaScript which was complete waste for me. Well when i looked at my friend's book, that book really got me interesting it has a very good coverage of both Layers and how to use them combined with css and js...

The book also included a very good reference table for css commands. I think that "DHTML and JavaScript"(isbn: 0130863343 ) book is a much better deal.

5 stars Definitely keep this one handy

1999-12-18     6 of 6 found this review helpful

I received this book as part of a class I took through Outsource Labs, and it was an excellent supplement to the course materials. I learned plenty about CCS Platforms and still reach for this one as I manage Web page content for my group at work. All of the tags, from to are described clearly and completely. If you're confused about event handlers, this book makes them clear with examples and lists of attributes. If you have Kennedy & Musciano's HTML: The Definitive Guide and this book by Goodman, your Web page management library is just about complete until you venture into Java. A worthwhile buy.

5 stars A most excellent "definitive reference".

1999-10-14     6 of 6 found this review helpful

I started taking a serious interest in web design and development just two months ago and was overwhelmed by the storm of web technologies that hit me right up front: HTML, Dynamic HTML, JavaScript, DOM, CSS etc. This book laid a solid foundation for me. I can confidently say that I now understand how HTML, JavaScript, CSS and DOM combine to produce powerful, interactive and dynamic web pages. In fact, the coverage of JavaScript itself (in the many examples used throughout the book) was so comprehensive that I am now breezing through 'JavaScript: A Definitive Guide'. 'Dynamic HTML' by Danny GoodMan surely delivers on its promise as a definitive reference and then much more.

4 stars Still excellent, worth the upgrade, but the text sections have been moved online

2007-01-15     5 of 5 found this review helpful

Version 2 of this book was an invaluable reference that never left my desk. However, it was getting crufty with age. As soon as I found that version 3 was available, I ordered it.

Previous versions of this book had two sections. The first section was an excellent writeup of DHTML techniques, specifically how to use CSS and JavaScript to create interactive web pages. The second section was a complete reference of all HTML, DOM, CSS, JavaScript, and event types, and attributes.

When I received the new version, I was surprised to find that only the second section is included in the book. The first section is still available, but as an online PDF download. It is because of this that I am rating the book 4 stars; if the first section were still included in the book, it would get 5 stars.

The reference section has been updated to include modern browsers, including IE7, the Mozilla family (including Firefox, Camino, and Netscape), Safari, and Opera. New features, such as XmlHttpRequest have been added.

The DHTML discussion (now available online) has been significantly rewritten as well. It is still an excellent discussion of DHTML techniques, which I would recommend reading even if you are familiar with the subject and have read the previous versions. It may be too terse though for a beginner.

I would highly recommend this book for anyone doing serious HTML and/or JavaScript programming. While I was disappointed to not have the first section as part of the book, I still recdommend the book highly.

5 stars 3rd Edition of an essential reference on Dynamic HTML

2006-12-31     5 of 6 found this review helpful

The third edition of Danny Goodman's classic reference on dynamic content was just released in November 2006. Thus, all reviews older than that are referring to a previous edition. Unlike previous editions of this book, the third edition has deleted the tutorial section entitled "Applying Dynamic HTML", and is now pretty much a pure reference book. However, there is now an extensive 221 page online supplement at the book's website that is an advanced introduction to creating dynamic web content that addresses the cross-platform compromises inherent in web page design. This supplement includes the demonstration of the use of cascading style sheets, element positioning, dynamic content, and scripting events, and is very helpful. There is so much new material here it is definitely worth upgrading if you have the previous edition. If you are a complete newcomer to the idea of both HTML and dynamic content and you need a pure tutorial before you get into the minute details presented in this book, might I recommend "Head First HTML with CSS & XHTML". That book is a great introduction and learning tool, but you'll still need this for a reference. The following is the detailed table of contents for the third edition.

Part I. Dynamic HTML Reference
1. HTML and XHTML Reference
Attribute Value Types
Shared HTML Element Attributes
Shared Event Handler Attributes
Alphabetical Tag Reference
2. Document Object Model Reference
Property Value Types
About client- and offset- Properties
Default Property Values
Events
Static W3C HTML DOM Objects
Shared Object Properties, Methods, and Events
Alphabetical Object Reference
3. Event Reference
Alphabetical Event Reference
4. Style Sheet Property Reference
Property Value Types
Selectors
Pseudo-Element and Pseudo-Class Selectors
At-Rules
Conventions
Alphabetical Property Reference
5. JavaScript Core Language Reference
About Static Objects
Mozilla Get and Set Methods
ECMAScript for XML (E4X)
ECMAScript Reserved Keywords
Core Objects
Operators
Control Statements
Miscellaneous Statements
Special (Escaped) String Characters

Part II. Cross References
6. HTML/XHTML Attribute Index
7. DOM Property Index
8. DOM Method Index
9. DOM Events Index

Part III. Appendixes
A. Color Names and RGB Values
B. HTML Character Entities
C. Keyboard Event Character Values
D. Editable Content Commands
E. HTML/XHTML DTD Support
F. The Mozilla Browser Version Trail

5 stars Great, single source reference

2005-10-06     5 of 5 found this review helpful

I use this book as my first point of reference for all those technical details regarding HTML, Cascading Style Sheets (CSS), JavaScript, and the Document Object Model (DOM). What I really like about this reference tome (1000+ pages) is how every element, tag, attribute, etc. clearly denotes which browser/browser version supports the item. It's nice to be able to carry around a single book that can answer so many questions. Highly recommended.

5 stars Indispensible

2004-05-06     5 of 6 found this review helpful

This has proved to be the most valuable reference book I own, and I develop software in a number of languages. The title is a little misleading--if you are doing any web page development, you should buy this book. If I could own just one book about JavaScript, for example, this would be it. At my last place of employment, a coworker had this book, and we wore it out. When we both left, I had to rush out and buy my own copy. I'd have bought it at double the price--it's that good.

5 stars O'Reilly has a good rep for a reason.

2003-02-16     5 of 6 found this review helpful

This book's title is just what it says: The Definitive Reference.
I also have JavaScript: the Definitive Ref. Don't get both unless you really are using DOM for DHTML and also using JavaScript for other scripting. These two books are at least 1/3 redundant information. They are both EXCELLENT books and I recomend both highly... just not together.
This is all you really need to do DHTML, don't buy dummies, don't buy the big red book; all you need is this one. It's a doorstop, but has enough info to get you up to speed in using DOM and any JavaScript that you're likely to need.

5 stars excellent reference of HTML, CSS, Javascript and DOM

2001-12-30     5 of 7 found this review helpful

Although things change quickly on the Internet, this book is still the best reference and resource on web site building that I have come across. The book contains a complete reference divided in sections on HTML, the Document Object (DOM), Style Sheet Attributes and the JavaScript Language. All attribute entries include a description and example. The versions of Internet Explorer and Netscape that support it are mentioned with it. The extensive DOM reference also includes the properties and methods.

The appendixes describe HTML character entities, color names and RGB values, keyboard event character values and specific Internet Explorer commands.

The book starts with a section describing all these features of Dynamic HTML in general and how to apply them. For example, absolute versus relative positioning is explained in detail, followed by an explanation of positioning attributes.

The book is my inseparable companion when I'm working on my web site.

5 stars Wonderful DHTML Reference

2001-11-10     5 of 5 found this review helpful

Even though this book is a bit out of date, the information presented is still of great value to any web developer who knows how HTML, CSS, and JavaScript work. The book's first few chapters describe how to use DHTML, adding style sheets, scripting events, and also discusses different browser compatibility issues. However, the book's real value is in the Reference section, which takes up most of the book. Extensive reference chapters on HTML, DOM, Style Sheet Atributes, JavaScript information are where this book's real value lies.

While definitely not a book for beginners, it is most likely the best DHTML reference book available.

5 stars Mission Accomplished!

2001-01-02     5 of 5 found this review helpful

In the Preface, Danny Goodman says that he wrote this book for selfish reasons, because (I'm paraphrasing) he was tired of having to go to several different sources to find information that should have been compiled together, and that he couldn't keep track of all of the contradictions and exceptions and browser specific features that were out there. He wanted...he needed...a book that had it all together in one handy package. So he set out to make that one handy package.

To that, I say "Mission Accomplished!"

I couldn't begin to count the times I have had to find the appropriate reference to see if a particular attribute could be used in a particular tag. Once I found what I was looking for, seldom would there be any additional information, like what other attributes I could use as well. The DOM Model was a dark mystery to me. Finding objects my workmates had used was the extent of "useful" information I had found in bulk.

Mr. Goodman's book has changed all of that. It is the closest I've found to a "definitive" reference on any programming topic. It covers HTML, the DOM, and CSS very well, including browser-specific information for both IE and Netscape. It includes the versions of said browsers compatibility with specific tags, attributes, etc. It also includes a JavaScript reference. The last four chapters of the book contain Cross References for HTML Attributes (look up an attribute to see what tags it can be used in), and DOM Properties, Methods, and Events.

One thing to note: This book is NOT going to teach you HTML/DHTML. It is strictly a reference, and the author makes no bones about that. Most examples in the book are one-liners, focusing on correct syntax as opposed to actual usability. If you have an understanding of HTML, this book can be useful for formatting, etc. To get much out of the DOM section, I believe you have to have a very good understanding of web page scripting in the first place.

Overall, I can say I'm certain that this is one book that will travel with me to every worksite I go to.

5 stars Don't let "Dynamic HTML" title fool you... it's got more!

2000-07-05     5 of 5 found this review helpful

The most important thing I can stress in my review is that this book is a reference. If you are new to programming, I would suggest getting more of a tutorial-based book. If you've done any work with HTML, scripting languages, and/or object-oriented programming, you won't believe how handy this book is.

This book is not just Dynamic HTML. The text is divided in to 5 different reference sections: Applying Dynamic HTML, HTML reference, DOM (Document Object Model), CSS reference & JavaScript reference. In fact, I'm trying to learn JavaScript and I almost feel that the JS reference contained within this book is so good, I don't need O'Reilly's JavaScript Definitive Guide.

One of the great things about this book is the treatment of IE vs. Netscape. For example, in the HTML reference, the author points out code syntax differences for each tag for both browsers. In the JavaScript reference, the author uses a consistent method of telling you after which browser version the specific object, property, and method is supported. Sorry if this is slightly confusing, the main thing is the solid treatment of browser support.

This book is sensational. For me, being a VB programmer but newbie web/JavaScript programmer, there are enough code examples within and the book is written well enough that I can use this immediately in my job. Highly recommended

5 stars Amazing HTML reference, and then some!

2000-05-05     5 of 5 found this review helpful

I use this book primarily because I can't remember all of the HTML tags and all of the attributes you can use with each. This alphabetizes and gives a complete explanation of exactly how each HTML entity can be used, including more details than you'll ever need concerning the different attributes (parameters).

This book not only gives the complete HTML specification, but it also describes whether each feature is supported by IE or Netscape (and which version). It discusses how different browsers will handle the same code, which is a big plus in my eyes.

And, HTML is not all of it; it covers CSS, DOM, and JavaScript:

CSS: This also describes how you can alternatively use CSS (cascading style sheets) to model the objects in your web pages, which often gives you more control over how it looks. (This involves setting the STYLE attribute of a tag.)

DOM: This describes how you can modify HTML objects, even *after* the page has been loaded, by accessing the objects' properties inside your scripts, whether it is JavaScript or VBScript or whatever.

JavaScript: It gives a reference for the core language.

So, at the very least, if you ever want to know all the cool things possible with HTML, this is an incredible reference, with brief examples. Five stars!

5 stars Best Reference for HTML out there

2000-01-18     5 of 7 found this review helpful

If I could have given this book 6 stars, I would have. This is by far the best book on the subject matter. Not for use with GUI type programming of web pages, but for the serious programmer who still knows what a 'tag' is.

5 stars Coffee stains and Spine Creases

2000-01-12     5 of 5 found this review helpful

Buy this book if you need any DHTML reference. It is clear, concise, and well organized.
I have now had this book for 5 months. As a professional Web developer who writes online applications, I was amazed at the amount of information that this book has given me! Cross browser development in this non-standardized world has led to interesting and curious solutions to my DHTML problems. This book has been an invaluable tool! Thank you, O'Reilly, for actually publishing a Definitive Reference that truly is!

5 stars This book just keeps getting better

2007-06-04     4 of 4 found this review helpful

Each iteration of this book gets better and better. This third edition has been expanded with an amazing CSS reference, updates for AJAX, and now includes information on IE, Netscape, Mozilla (e.g. Firefox), Safari, Opera, and the HTML DOM. By far, this is the most comprehensive version of this book to date.

One of the biggest gripes I had with previous editions of this book was that it felt very IE-centric. In prior editions, the Mac was completely ignored as was Opera and pretty much anything other than IE and Netscape. This has all changed in this latest update.

If you have never seen a copy of this book before, it is divided into 9 sections: a standard HTML reference, an alphabetical HMTL reference, standard and alphabetical DOM references, a Javascript language and event reference, an outstanding CSS reference, and appendices. The book is designed in such a way so as to be easy to quickly find material on the HTML tag, CSS attribute, or Javascript method desired.

Of particular note in this edition is the update for AJAX. In the Javascript section, the reader will now find nearly 50 extra pages dedicated simply to handling and processing XML in Javascript.

Hands down, this was--and still is--the absolute best dynamic HTML reference available today. While each edition gets better and better, I think this edition in particular is a real standout. The expansion of the CSS reference section, the addition of documentation related to AJAX, and the expansion of the reference sections to cover Mozilla, Safari, and Opera make this book a must buy.

5 stars Worth every cent

2004-06-08     4 of 5 found this review helpful

I bought the first edition of this book a few years ago, and found it the best reference book I every had. In the first chapters, Danny Goodman has an excellent way of explaining the differences between browser versions and the history/reasoning behind them. These chapters in the second revision of the book are a must-read for those who want to clear up their confusion about the "old" Netscape/IE differences and the new standards that Netscape 6+/IE/w3c are finally starting to comply with.

For someone into editing HTML/css/JavaScript, I haven't come across a better reference book yet. It is also one of the few books that gives practical hints on creating pages that work on all browsers AND platforms. I admire Danny Goodman for taking on the enormous challenge that writing this book imposed.

5 stars The DHTML manual! The client-side encyclopedia!

2003-12-22     4 of 4 found this review helpful

Not for the beginner. If a text editor is your web-design tool of choice then this is the manual that should accompany it. Very comprehensive and detailed and has yet to let me down. Detailed information on each CSS attribitue, HTML tag and tag properties, JavaScript Methods, Control Structures and w3c DOMs. This book is how that vastly unorganized sorry excuse for a site, a.k.a. w3c website, *should* be structured and organized and provide information.

However, be warned, if you are a beginner this book will likely frustrate you and leave you pulling out your hair. Perhaps a wise investment to accompany a begginer's book, to see what is possible with this or that tag, JS method, CSS attribute, etc. But this book is a reference (as the name implies) and does *almost* nothing as far as teaching is concerned. To be more to the point its a nuts and gears book but doesn't include a diagram that shows you how to put the nuts and gears, etc together.

And now for what I didn't like about it, could show more examples of this or that tag, property, method, etc. in action. Didn't see any examples of CSS short-hand.

5 stars Truly definitive, well written and laid out

2003-08-06     4 of 4 found this review helpful

Many years ago I learnt my AppleScript skills from a book by a gentleman by the name of Danny Goodman and I was happy to find him tackling the subject of dynamic HTML in Dynamic HTML: The Definitive Reference. Indeed this is the second edition and seems supremely up to date.

Goodman has tackled a complex subject. With changing standards and even quicker changing browser compatibility it can be a nightmare trying to get a dynamic web site working across disparate browsers and operating systems. A guide that tells you exact syntax and exact compatibility can be invaluable, but is only as good as the research behind it, an area where I cannot fault Goodman.

This volume covers XHTML, CSS and DOM with a large smidgeon of JavaScript. It's not an easy book to get into and consume in large chunks as it does little hand holding but as I was prepared to knuckle down and work at the topics, I found it perfect for me. Goodman has recently released JavaScript & DHTML Cookbook which I have found to be a marvelous volume to assist the process of understanding these technologies.

The target audience would be best summed up as those who have done a fair amount of HTML hand coding and some work in dynamic HTML. The book also adds that you should have "the basics of client-side scripting in JavaScript" and I would agree, when I first acquired this book my JavaScript skills were exceptionally primitive (mainly at the 'plug in example' stage) and found the latter sections of this book heavy going and not much help; now that I am a better JavaScript programmer I find these parts much easier to understand and use.

The book is divided into four parts, 'Applying Dynamic HTML', 'Dynamic HTML Reference', 'Cross References' and 'Appendixes'. I found the first Part particularly helpful when converting my old site across to a more dynamic CSS based site as it helps with various strategies for making sure your content works across browsers and various methods for making sure that visitors with older browsers and search engines can still retrieve valid pages. Goodman's approach of increasing complexity through this Part also suited a movement from a straight HTML site to one using XHTML and CSS. This is also where Goodman's writing can shine, it's an excellent guide to all the technologies and acronym soup. The appendices are marvelous, from 'A', a list of colour names with their RGB value, through a list of character entities to a 50 page list of all HTML tags, their attributes and if they are supported in the two HTML 4 and three XHTML 1 standards.

The reference Parts are well structured with extensive notes on browser support and which particular standard (DOM 1, DOM 2, CSS 1, CSS 2, or none) the tag or attribute comes from. For example, in the DOM section the reference gives you the object name, which versions of Navigator and Explorer support it, the DOM version (if any), a short explanation, then an object reference example, list of properties, methods and event handlers. For each of the properties it gives an example, the type and if it is read-only or read/write. For methods it gives the return value and parameters. This sort of attention to fine detail is throughout the book. You end up with a book 1343 pages long and a 51 page index. Goodman mentions in his Preface that the book now encompasses 'more than 15,000 unique instances of properties, methods and event handlers', a figure I'd believe.

I found this a hard book to review, as are most references. The questions I asked were: one, does the book cover all the material; two, is it correct; three, is it easy to find the entry you want and four, are the entries laid out in an easy to understand manner? In these criteria this volume rates well, with the added bonus of some good material in the first section for understanding the nuances of dynamic HTML in multiple browser, multiple operating system world.

If you are doing a lot of work in Dynamic HTML then this book is probably an essential. While I don't consult it every time I start working on HTML when I run into trouble it is the first place I turn to make sure my syntax and browser compatibility are straight. This book ain't cheap, and it ain't small but I'd recommend it for your desk if you're working with web sites.

2 stars Definitive Reference?

2000-07-20     4 of 14 found this review helpful

This book is suppose to be "The Definitive Reference for Dynamic HTML." If that's what it's suppose to be, then why are there only 126 of 1100 pages devoted to DHTML? If I were you I would pass on this book if you're looking for a help with DHTML. You'll end up spending more time searching on the web for answers and references rather than this book.

The book does cover DOM, HTML, JavaScript, and CSS. But what I was looking for was straight DHTML. The title really threw me off. Theres more pages devoted to DOM then there are for DHTML.

5 stars Excellent, Comprehensive Reference

2007-04-24     3 of 3 found this review helpful

Looking for a single reference for all your web development needs? Well, Dynamic HTML: the Definitive Reference isn't quite that, but it comes awfully close. It's not simply a DHTML reference; there's detailed reference info on XHTML, CSS, DOM, and Javascript -- all of which are necessary to create good DHTML.

Most of the book is divided into five sections, including the above mentioned references, as well as a section on Events. The references are easily navigated, clearly explained, and provide nice examples. The most valuable bits of information for many web developers are probably the compatibility info provided for each entry in the reference sections.

The remainder of the book offers handy cross-references and appendices. The cross references include: an HTML/XHTML Attribute Index, and DOM references by Property, Method, and Event. The appendices include info on colors, special characters, ASCII key codes, editable content commands, elements/attributes available in W3C standards, and the relationships between various Mozilla based browsers.

Of course, this is a reference book, so there's limited cohesion in the examples. There is no theme to follow and re-create a full-featured DHTML web site. But the book is intended to be a reference. There are other books for step-by-step DHTML development.

Likewise, this is a comprehensive reference, and therefore quite a thick book. There are separate CSS and JavaScript references available (also very handy), but this single volume packs a lot of punch.

5 stars Best DHTML Reference book!

2007-01-25     3 of 3 found this review helpful

This 3rd edition of the well-known JavaScript reference book by Danny Goodman, includes all the latest web browser (IE 7, Firefox 2.0, Opera 9, Safari, etc.) updates and with the DOM, BOM and JavaScript core functions (ver. 1.7), plus Ajax implementations as well. The book is well over 1200+ pages but actually is close to 1500 if you include the 200+ online PDF that includes the non-reference sections that show the reader how to use all the great information in the book.

The previous edition (2002), included that section as part of the book [...] This book includes at least 20-30% more material, not including the implementation sections, so you know something had to go (to prevent this going to hardback). The link to the PDF is in the preface (page x) and basically makes this book one of the most important books that have come out covering JavaScript. It covers everything you could practically need on knowing about any object, any method or any property that has to do with JavaScript or the browser (BOM).

I just hope people realize that there is an extra 200+ of very important content that is NOT in the book that they can get. That extra part makes this book complete. Though if you are only looking a complete reference book then that extra material will be a bonus.

The topics that re covered in the PDF are:

Online Section II, Cross-Platform Compromises
Online Section III, Adding Cascading Style Sheets to Documents
Online Section IV, Changing Page Content and Styles
Online Section V, Adding Dynamic Positioning to Documents
Online Section VI, Scripting Events
Online Section VII, XMLHttpRequest and Ajax

This material itself can be its own book comparing it to other JavaScript books that have just been coming out the past year. So if you need a complete book on JavaScript or want to learn the specific browser differences or are an Ajax developer then this is the only book you will want to get. It should be part of your library.

5 stars Best book on HTML front-end work

2003-12-14     3 of 4 found this review helpful

This is the book to own when it comes to developing for the HTML front-end. It covers everything, Javascript, HTML, DOM, Dynamic HTML, the whole lot. It does it well, which is amazing given the amount of coverage. It's a little miracle of authorship and editing in what must be a five pound package. While other books of the same heft are loaded with worthless screenshots, this book is packed with meaningful, well organized, information.

5 stars This book saved my sanity

2001-07-03     3 of 3 found this review helpful

Ok, picture this: You get off an airplane after a 10 hour flight. Get 2 hours of sleep because you are jet lagging so bad you feel like you have been smoking ... all day. You are then informed that what you thought was a routine API programming assignment is now a Cross Browser support nightmare. I mean I had to create Javascript that would work with both Netscape 4.X - 6.X and IE 4.X - 5.X and in many ways mimic Server Side error handling on the Client. Frantically searching the web for references and materials for some form of stratedgy to start coding I came across this book. I have read Danny's Javascript Bible and decided to give this book as shot. In terms of DOM reference and listing what does and does not work in Netscape and IE I was able to develop a pretty decent API in 5 days.

This is not a HOW to BOOK. This is not for beginners. Will have to know how to code. This is a DHTML reference with some decent generic code examples. Combine this with the Javascript Bible and you got all the weapons you need to tackle Cross Browser DHTML. A must have for anyone forced to support various versions of browsers.

5 stars A reference for serious web developers

2001-01-11     3 of 3 found this review helpful

This book is magnificant reference work that combines lucid explanation with comprehensive reference. However, as one previous review mentioned, this is not a Dummies book. This book is for someone already familar with HTML and web design. It will take your skills to the next level, incorporating the latest javascript, DHTML, and CSS technology. The book's greatest advantage is that it can function as a total reference book--it has a complete listing of commands and functions--but also as a introduction to these topics; the beginning chapters on the various technologies are excellent overviews of key ideas. Overall, a must-have book for the intermediate web developer.

3 stars Not suitable as an introduction, but a good reference.

2000-12-05     3 of 4 found this review helpful

This is not the book for you, if you are new to dynamic HTML and scripting (JavaScript or VB Script). I made the mistake of buying it too soon, before I learned the basics. This book seems like a good reference, but I suspect it will become out-of-date soon, due to the nature of browser wars.

5 stars Perfect...with a little beforehand knowledge

2000-08-04     3 of 4 found this review helpful

I had previosuly read the Webmonkey tutorials on CSS, JavaScript, the DOM and the dHTML and without those, I would have probably been lost in this book, but with those, its a great REFERENCE, not a tutorial..

5 stars Great Book...A Must Have for Developers.

2000-07-24     3 of 4 found this review helpful

Great book! Plenty of clear, concise info regarding all of the elements that make up DHTML. Beginners beware...this isn't for people new to web development. A good background in HTML (at the very least) is almost a must. Otherwise, it's a solid book for the audience it was intended (as with all O'Reilly books).

To the reviewer who only gave it 2 stars due to lack of DHTML content: DHTML is a concept enabled by JavaScript, VBScript, the Document Object Model (DOM), layers, and Cascading Style Sheets (CSS). What part of that did the book not cover?

5 stars excellent!

2000-06-02     3 of 3 found this review helpful

The title is a little misleading -- it is MORE than just a reference book, it actually teaches how to create DHTML pages. Whether you are a novice or a veteran in web page development, this is the book for you. In addition to the book, the online support is also very good. Many errors in the book are corrected.

3 stars Keep this on your desk

2000-05-29     3 of 3 found this review helpful

Although a little dry, it *is* a reference you know. And as far as references go, this is a good, dependable one. This is one of those books that I keep going back to, whenever I need help with my DHTML and even CSS. It offers a clear and concise explanation of the DOM, and everything you need to manipulate it.

5 stars The Talmud of Dynamic HTML

2000-05-01     3 of 4 found this review helpful

Last week, working on some web page design that relied heavily on style sheets, JavaScript, and DHTML, I came across *the best HTML reference* I've ever seen. It's called Dynamic HTML: The Definitive Reference, by Danny Goodman. This is the Talmud of Dynamic HTML. It's 1000 pages long. It covers HTML, DOM, CSS, and JavaScript in staggering detail. The best part is that the author has tested everything on Netscape and IE, and provides a detailed cross reference of what works where. As soon as I started using this book instead of the shoddy, disorganized, unindexed 'documentation' that Microsoft provides, I became a significantly happier person. You will too.

5 stars About as good as it gets

2000-03-10     3 of 5 found this review helpful

Simply the definitive reference for serious HTML, DHTML CSS, Javascript etc. Very strong on cross-browser isssues. Clear, concise, absolutely definitive.

This book is referred to constantly in my web-development company. We've used it to create some impressive and original web-applications.

Recommended unreservedly for serious web-programmers. If all you know is Front Page, you'll be in trouble though.

5 stars Can't wait for the next edition

1999-10-23     3 of 3 found this review helpful

I'm on my second copy of this book!

After a year of use I've dog eared almost every page; stuffed it with Post-It notes; stained it with beer, coffee, and soda-pop; and accidentally tore about a third of the pages. It's felt my hands touch every page, and seen my face staring at it for hours at a time. My only complaint is that the paper and binding are not indestructable.

If you need a reference manual, this is the one to have.

5 stars Simply a must-have reference for any advanced web design

1999-10-08     3 of 3 found this review helpful

If you want to do anything more than just plain HTML, this book will help you a lot! Javascript, DOM, DHTML, and Style Sheets are all covered in excellent detail here. This is the best book on the subject I have seen yet.

4 stars Fantastic Reference. Highly recommended.

1999-06-07     3 of 3 found this review helpful

The book serves as a complete HTML, Javascript, and CSS reference; eliminating the need for separate references. I don't care that spiders are building their own webs on my other books.

While not a tutorial, it has a handful of examples which I've found very useful. The reference sections conveniently document which commands/tags are supported by which browser (IE vs. Netscape).

My only suggestion to improve this book would be to have code suggestions to accomplish the same action in the alternate browser for the commands/tags which are browser-specific.

5 stars O'Reilly Dynamic HTML

2006-04-20     2 of 3 found this review helpful

An indespensible reference for everything client-side web development. Consise and handy; this book should sit beside the keyboard of any serious web developer.

2 stars Good Reference

2004-02-13     2 of 37 found this review helpful

I own Danny Goodman's JavaScript Handbook from circa 1996. That has nothing to do with this review other than to say this guy has been doing this stuff for a long time. This is a great reference book to have handy and has good examples of each tag, element, or keyword in HTML, DOM, CSS, and JavaScript.

3 stars Disappointed

2002-10-25     2 of 22 found this review helpful

...I purchased this book. I thought it would be a how-to book but it isn't. I feel as if I wasted (Money)because the book is useless to me since it's way over my head.

5 stars Simply the Best

2002-10-01     2 of 2 found this review helpful

The title describes exactly what you get (a rare event with technical books these days). While the books only covers the specifics of 4.0 and earlier browsers, it is still a tremendous assest to anyone involved in making web pages. I have found it to be a one stop reference for HTML and CSS, as well as JavaScript and DOM.
Likewise, it is one of the best formatted and easiest to use references that I have ever come across.
I wish O'Reilly would release an updated edition!

5 stars Can't do the cool stuff without it

2002-05-09     2 of 2 found this review helpful

This book is essential for the Web Designer wishing to do more with the web. Start using it as a learner and before long it becomes your most used reference. Notes on how to access any part of the HTML document programmatically from HTML text, to layers, to form behaivoir. Use this book and you'll be programming not just web pages but web applications. One thing to note, IE allows you to do infinately more with less code so this book has an IE slant. But if you're willing to put your own effort into cross-browser compatibility this book opens the door to accessing things you never thought you could.

3 stars Good reference at the time, but now outdated...

2002-04-10     2 of 7 found this review helpful

This is not a book for a beginner, but for the more experienced developer. This book is packed with information. If I had purchased this book when it was first published, I would have given it 5 stars. However, the book was published in 1998, and the content is getting dated -- enough so that I mildly regret buying this book, thus the 3-star rating. Even so, if an updated edition comes out, I will buy it, for an up-to-date reference of this calibre would be a well-thumbed book on my shelf.

5 stars Most essential book for web developers

2002-02-02     2 of 2 found this review helpful

I'd call this book "most essential" because there isn't another one that you could substitute for it. It has all the information you need on HTML, DOM, CSS, javascript and browser compatibility - all rolled into one book. What's surprising is that it's been around for several years now and no one else has even tried to write a better book. This is the essential reference for web developers - it's always found in our office open on my desk - unless my collegue has it on his!

5 stars Best web developers reference ever!!

2001-12-05     2 of 2 found this review helpful

I was lucky. As I started developing for the web, my boss placed this book on my desk. Others say it's not for beginners; but a beginner can easily get overwhelmed without having some reference book to find out how to do things. From this book I learned both HTML and Javascript. It is simply fabulous and I still open it all the time.
Buy it!!

4 stars Great reference, but still looking for a better one.....

2001-11-08     2 of 2 found this review helpful

This is a great reference on DHTML, it has great coverage of DHTML and DOM. Great for programmers making DHTML for both IE and Netscape (for versions 2.0 and up). Very compact explanations at times -- but then again, this is a reference. It's a great book for intermediate to advanced web developers.

The reason I only gave it 4 star, is because I'm SURE there must be a better reference out there. I had a VERY HARD time finding info on some topics for Netscape 4 (but we're takling some very specific details.... which I later concluded was a bug in Netscape... but either way, coverage was scarce)

Either way, if you only have ONE DHTML/DOM/(maybe even JS) reference on your book shelf, make it this one.

5 stars A Webmaster Must Have!!!

2001-03-28     2 of 2 found this review helpful

I can not tell you how many times I go to this book, especially for the CSS reference. It allows you to quickly see what is browser compatible and what is not - even with insight to work arounds or recommendations for implementation. This is not a book to learn DHTML, so if you are not familiar with HTML, Javascript, DOM, and CSS, don't expect to learn it from here. This is for reference only (like the title says).

This book is outstanding and consolidates all your references for DHTML under one cover. Since I bought this book, I find myself less and less going to the W3C site and other popular refence sites searching for information I need quickly.

When the app guy comes to me and asks me a question about the client side browser, I can quickly give an answer without delaying his production and my work.

Thank you Mr. Goodman and O'Reilly for this wonderful book. Now, can you just get Netscape to get compatible, that would be something!!!

5 stars Well organized reference

2000-02-09     2 of 4 found this review helpful

Anyone who needs a well-organize, straight to the point reference for writing DHTML that works in both IE and Netscape would find this book very helpful...maybe a little big to carry around all the time, but still great to have!

1 stars Good for IE, not for NS

1999-08-01     2 of 19 found this review helpful

Im a semi-professional DHTML developer, and i have tons of books from Microsoft on IE, i dont need another one, i want NS, lots of it, and while it has some, its mostly IE. Thats what makes this book stupid. How can it include DOM stuff, when its always changing. Way below O'Reillys standard. Hope they learn

3 stars Good reference guide, but lacking in detail

1999-05-25     2 of 2 found this review helpful

Pros:

+ Pretty easy to look up a specific style property, object property, Javascript property, etc.

+ Each property shows whether it is compatible with Netscape, IE, DOM, CSS, etc.

Cons:

- Often lacks necessary detail: "Not all event types assigned a constant value are yet implemented as events in Navigator 4." (OK, which ones??)

- Very subtle differences in typefonts between major headings (i.e. HTML tags) and sub-headings (properties for a tag), making it easy to get lost .

5 stars Awesome - my BIBLE

1999-05-14     2 of 2 found this review helpful

I am a professional DHTML developer and this book is my BIBLE. No other work has so comprehensively and thoroughly documented *cross-browser* Javascript, DOM, HTML, and CSS in one place. It very clearly tells you what is available and what will and will not work on various browsers and versions -- something that is otherwise extremely difficult to cull from widespread sources.

The reviewers here that have given this book a low rating because it isn't a concise tutorial are silly. It's not a tutorial -- it's an excellent, comprehensive reference meant for people who already are somewhat familiar with the basic concepts of DHTML. Once you learn the basics and encounter the nightmare of cross-browser scripting, you will surely appreciate the scope and magnitude of this truly definitive work. This is THE single DHTML reference to have.

5 stars No hype; this is the one!

1998-11-10     2 of 2 found this review helpful

The other reviewers are correct; this is an indispensable desktop resource. It has instantly become my primary reference source for web-related projects. This is an important and very accessible work. The layout of the material into chapters is so straight-forward and logical that you don't even need the index; you just flip though to the heading you need and then get back to work. It is meant to be accessed randomly and frequently. This book is the architype for all reference works.

Be forwarned; this is not a cookbook, tutorial, or introductory text. The examples are the minimum necessary to convey useage. If you need introductory texts, I have been very impressed with the inexpensive "Visual Quickstart Guides" by Peachpit Press.

The title of this book is almost misleading; I would have called it something more like "The Web Authors Complete Reference." (and then I probably would have ignored it because of the presumptuous title!) Anyone who creates content for the web on any level will be pleased to have access to such a complete reference for this little slice of time. I can only hope and pray that Goodman/O'Reilly issue prompt rewrites as new versions of Netscape and Internet Explorer are released.

3 stars Book Index sucks

2007-11-27     1 of 2 found this review helpful

I used to have the previous edition. I could quickly find objects and properties in the books index and just go to what I wanted. This new edition doesn't even have the event handling properties such as onmouseover and such. Its also missing some minor properties for css or html. I know the big ones, its the minor ones that i need help on. Its great that it takes into account safari, mozilla and opera compatibility, but they really did a crappy job on the index. Apparently they wanted to safe paper and removed some things from it. so, now I use the old edition and new edition. A big inconvenience.

5 stars The Bible, Third Edition

2007-09-17     1 of 1 found this review helpful

The finest review of this book I can give is simply this: I bought the first edition in 1999, the second edition in 2003, the third edition in 2007, and as long as Danny Goodman and O'Reilly keep up the good work, I'll buy the fourth edition in 2011. There is no more indispensible book available for the Web GUI professional.

One caveat: This book is not for beginners. If you don't already know how to build a modern DHTML/CSS/JS/Ajax interface, this book will likely be a waste of money. Moreover, if you're looking for how-tos and recipes, look elsewhere. This is a comprehensive encyclopedia of the DHTML universe, nothing more and nothing less.

5 stars Plenty of supplementary reference material suitable for the most sophisticated web page builds.

2007-04-10     1 of 1 found this review helpful

Danny Goodman's DYNAMIC HTML: THE DEFINITIVE REFERENCE is likely to be the only in-depth reference you'll need for years down the line on the subject: web programmers working in Javascript and libraries strong in basic advanced computer references will find over 1,000 pages packed with details on the latest web specs and browser featured, covering HTML, XHTML, CSS and more. Handy cross-references allow for instant lookup of attributes and interrelated items, while appendixes offer plenty of supplementary reference material suitable for the most sophisticated web page builds.

5 stars A true web designer/developer reference

2007-04-02     1 of 1 found this review helpful

This is one book in my library that I turn to whenever I have an HTML/CSS/Javascript question. Anything you can possibly imagine having to ask is completely covered in this book. It's a shame that they took out the original "Part 1" which contained a discussion of the CSS box model, Javascript techniques, etc. It as been moved into a PDF which is available for free from O'Reilly's website.

5 stars Far better than any online reference

2007-01-18     1 of 2 found this review helpful

For years I have relied exclusively on online references for tag & object references. Like Danny Goodman's introductory commentary on finding these references - even the official ones - often lacking and typically inaccurate on practical browser compliance.

Definitive reference fits this title to a "T". Every tag is covered in detail, providing practical description for both the tag and every property along with a practical example. This is most definitely a must have for any developer dealing with dynamic HTML, which is increasingly an important part of site development.

If you are a beginner, don't look for this to teach you how to get started; this is a reference not a primer. That said, find yourself a great introductory title and absolutely purchase this along with it. As you start writing code, you will need this to understand the new tags you are using as well as know how to deal with browser compatibility issues.

5 stars Indespensible For Web Developers

2006-08-30     1 of 2 found this review helpful

This book truly is a definitive resource for DHTML development. I originally read this book when Ajax was taking off as an acronym and a movement. I am VERY glad that I read this book to set a solid background in the Javascript and XHTML underpinnings of Ajax - moving on to Ajax topics has been straightforward after digesting Dynamic HTML: The Definitive Reference.

This book is VERY hefty but the time taken to read it in detail will definitely pay off for you. I cannot think of a relevant topic that was not covered in great detail.

Highly recommended!

5 stars The Bible

2003-12-03     1 of 1 found this review helpful

This is, simply, the only reference you must have to understand modern web authoring. As other reviewers have noted, it does assume that the reader has a decent base of knowledge about HTML to begin. Expand that base to an intimate understanding with this tome (it's massive) and amuse your friends at parties by rattling off syntactically correct JavaScript functions, and discoursing wisely on how a DIV's z-index affects neighboring IFRAME elements.

5 stars EXCITINGLY DYNAMIC

2003-01-27     1 of 2 found this review helpful

Brimming with authoritative information, this edition of "Dynamic HTML: The Definitive Reference" harbours all the relevant ingredients that programmers would need in order to keep pace with the latest advances in the field. These include: HTML 4.01, CSS2, JavaScript 1.5 and DOM Level 2.
Also, there are comprehensive coverage on both Internet Explorer 6 and Netscape Navigator 6. The chapters of this versatile text are excitingly dynamic. All those editorial errors which featured in the previous edition have been rectified. This book is an impressive reference source. It is one of the most precious volumes that web authors and developers should keep at hand.
Each of the entries it illustrates has a sample example, which helps the reader to assimilate the gist. Again, the book included information on which version of Netscape or Internet Explorer that is compatible with each element.
It is a superlative text, which is worth every cent that buyers spend on it.

5 stars Best HTML reference book

2002-11-16     1 of 2 found this review helpful

I have the first edition so it is a bit old, but it is by far the best book I have ever bought. Unlike most books, this one isn't for dummies, so therefore useful to people who know computers. It serves as a great cross-reference to the browsers and allows you to know what functions work with what versions of what browers. I'm tempted to get the updated version.

This is not for those who use HTML editors and do not know a thing about coding. This is for developers mostly and is a reference guide.

5 stars the definitive reference for HTML

2002-04-09     1 of 1 found this review helpful

For me the most useful part of this book is the 100 or so pages of HTML specification. It specifies the elements, attributes and values accepted by HTML 4.0, IE and Netscape browsers. This is worth the price of the book.

The CSS/DHTML sections are somewhat harder to use. I sometimes have to look several places to find what I am looking for. It is a better reference than guide or tutorial. If I was going to work on a complex DHTML project I would look for another (perhaps newer) reference.

There is also a large Javascript/DOM reference section that I never use. I prefer "Javascript the Definitive Guide" for this subject.

5 stars Fabulous book

2002-03-22     1 of 2 found this review helpful

From the beginner to a well-seasoned programmer, this book adds a lot of value to your collection. The book gives you great examples and reasoning behind the different techniques that should be observed while creating any website. Plus, there are very detailed chapters devoted to HTML, DOM, CSS, and JavaScript references. I would definately recommend this book.

4 stars Great reference

2002-01-06     1 of 1 found this review helpful

This book is a great reference for DOM, CSS and HTML. Although there are some errors in information.(small errors though) e.g [it says on page 821 that the screen object won't work in NN but when you check page 706 it says the it works on NN] and things like that. But its a great book...especially if you want to make your scripts cross-platformable.

3 stars Excellent Reference for HTML and JS Compatibility

2001-09-02     1 of 1 found this review helpful

Although there are many topics on DHTML in this book (some useful, some not, some inaccurate), this books strength is as a reference to browser compatibility. It's somewhat dated now and could use an update, but should still prove useful for browsers up to early 4 versions. This is also an excellent HTML and JS reference, offering many useful details on each.

This book is an essential book for every web developer-the perfect complement to an existing library.

5 stars Definitive doesn't say enough!

2001-08-23     1 of 1 found this review helpful

Danny Goodman has out done himself with this book. It is one of the simplest reference manuals to use, and the most comprehensive. I am an experienced developer and this is a great resource, although it definately too much for beginners. I will always rate this book as a must have in any web developer's personal library!

5 stars Essential for XMLers and scriptwriters

2001-07-19     1 of 1 found this review helpful

Dynamic HTML doesn't leave my desk. I get a panic attack if anyone borrows it without asking.

It's divided into four parts - offering definitive information on html4, css, javascript and the html dom.

Although the examples could be slightly fuller, it's particular strengths are:

* browser compatibility * listing all events associated with all elements * listing all methods ditto * listing all properties ditto

For designers interested in code, it's one of those books that they would find useful. For me, an XMLer who converts 1000s of pages at a time and uses dhtml extensively in internet/extranet apps, it's absolutely essentially.

5 stars The web-designer's dictionary!

2001-06-02     1 of 1 found this review helpful

This book is a little tricky to learn to use (especially for those of us still trying to get familiar with everything). I would suggest picking up a beginners guide before even looking in this book's general direction.

So why do I still give it five stars? Because when it finally does start making sense, it is a priceless resource! This is the book to have when you get familiar enough with HTML to need a "Just show me how to fix this thing, already!" reference.

This tome has been a valuable resource to my collection, and I know it will be the same to yours!

4 stars Very good but you may be disappointed...

2001-05-23     1 of 2 found this review helpful

As far as covering everything involved with Dynamic HTML, I definitely think this is the best book available. Many reviewers have already said that and if I listed everything good about it I'd just be repeating. So instead I'm going to explain why I gave it 4 stars rather than 5. The first 160 pages or so explain how everything ties together under Dynamic HTML and this was the content I was really looking for when I bought this book. But the next 800 pages or so are just individual references of HTML, CSS, DOM (document object mdoel), and JavaScript. I was a little let down as I already had thorough references on all of those topics except DOM which is the least useful of the four. I actually reccomend seperate books on each topic because they will go more in-depth on the topic and include neat extras that this book doesn't have. But if you want/need a comprehensive reference of the big 3 (HTML, CSS, JavaScript) all in one place, this is definitely your best choice. The question isn't whether or not this is a good book because it certainly is. The question is whether or not this book is worth spending $36. That all depends on personal preference and your existing library.

5 stars Great Reference

2001-02-28     1 of 1 found this review helpful

This is a great reference manual. It is definately not a how-to book. A must for anyone that needs to generate multi browser support for DHTML pages.

5 stars Great reference for Javascript, CSS, and HTML

2001-02-23     1 of 1 found this review helpful

This is not for true beginners, but it is a handy reference for those pesky HTML attributes or javascript functions that are so unforgiving if a comma, quote, or case is wrong. I refer to this very often. Do not buy this if you are looking for examples of complete code; this is just for reference.

5 stars One Complete source

2001-02-16     1 of 1 found this review helpful

If i needed to choose just one HTML-DHTML book to use as a reference and as a guide this would definitely be it. The book is complete very accurate and very through. Also extremely helpful was the comparison of IE and NN throughout the reference.

5 stars Definitive is the operative word

2000-06-18     1 of 1 found this review helpful

I teach Many web based courses and this is the text I never leave at home.

Whenever I encounter a bug in a javascript in class Danny always has the answer.

You cannot be considered a real JavaScripter if you do not own a copy of this book.

The only bad thing is that it is a very dry read. I just consider it to be the best reference book around for JavaScripting.

3 stars Good for sophisticated users, but lacks thoroughness

2000-03-28     1 of 8 found this review helpful

It has a good amount of detail, but lacks many features thatare now quite commonplace. END

5 stars superb

1999-10-09     1 of 1 found this review helpful

I develop DHTML all day every day, and this baby is my bible - in addition to its excellent survey of the DOM and a very nice JavaScript reference, has an excellent reference on style sheets.

5 stars Another valuable O'Reilly resource

1999-10-09     1 of 2 found this review helpful

I wouldn't have graduated college without O'Reilly. I wouldn't have gotten my last job without this reference.

Not the best study text, but as always an authoritative, unbiased reference with loads of clear and useful cross-platform info.

5 stars Great for beginners learning DHTML who know JavaScript.

1999-10-05     1 of 1 found this review helpful

I found this book to be a fantastic introduction to DHTML. Starting with a solid understanding of JavaScript, it was easy to move into style sheets and dynamic positioning of elements.

5 stars Don't leave home without it

1999-08-12     1 of 1 found this review helpful

Even though this book is about 1000 pages, I carry it with me if there's even a *chance* I'll be doing any DHTML. A quick look in the book saves hours of trying to "figure out" how to access an object or which events I can use. It is mounds of priceless minutea, conveneintly organized and well indexed.

5 stars Great Guide for HTML/Javascript

1999-07-13     1 of 1 found this review helpful

O'Reilly delivers another good book in Dynamic HTML.

This book is a good reference for combining HTML, Javascript and Style Sheets to produce dynamic pages.

However, there are times when you may want to delve deeper into Javascript. For that I'd recommend the book "JavaScript: The Definitive Guide" ISBN 1-56592-392-8

5 stars This is THE book that I have been searching for

1999-06-24     1 of 1 found this review helpful

This book is not meant as a tutorial, but if you understand some DHTML, then this is the book you should buy. It has HTML, DOM, JavaScript, and CSS. It also shows which tags and DOM properties are compatible with which browsers (that alone is worth the purchase price.) I have purchased other HTML, JavaScript, and DHTML books and this is by far the BEST and most complete reference.

4 stars Great Reference - Not for those looking for tutorials

1999-06-11     1 of 1 found this review helpful

It's a good book - just not meant for individuals looking for a series of tutorials.

1 stars Its Too Big

1999-04-09     1 of 4 found this review helpful

Once upon a time I got annoyed with huge computer books. Acres of text signifying nothing but a cop-out manual listing. This was Goodman's book on HyperCard.

Now he's done the same to O'Reilly, a series I cherish for their completeness of coverage, brevity and quality of index.

This is a monster of a book, but this doesn't tell me about DHTML, it enumerates the subject, a task performed far better in Webmaster in a Nutshell, or Web Design in a Nutshell, or the individual texts on HTML or JavaScript from O'Reilly.

I have to carry texts with me, this one won't travel.

4 stars Very useful for a -SERIOUS- web developer

1999-01-15     1 of 1 found this review helpful

If you are doing professional quality pages this book is a must. But be aware that this book is NOT a "how-to" style book like most of the O'Reilly HTML series. It is a great recourse, but shouldn't be used by someone who doesn't already have a fair understanding of DHTML.

5 stars Excellent

1999-01-06     1 of 1 found this review helpful

This book is like getting 5 books in one, because it has an HTML 4.0 reference, a DOM reference, a CSS reference, a JavaScript reference, and a section on how to use DHTML (which ties it all together). It doesn't have a lot of flashy pictures, but it is an excellent desktop reference.

3 stars Frustrating

2008-05-01     0 of 0 found this review helpful

A generally good reference book, but lacks a thorough index, and the page headings lack detail. Plan on spending lots of time flipping through the "input" and "document" pages looking for the page you want.

The book notes browser compatibility for each item, but its hard to not feel drowned in the clutter of useless "IE n/a NN n/a Moz n/a Saf n/a Op 9 DOM n/a" entries.

What I really wish I had was a "DHTML Best Practices" book where the primary useful, portable, and recommended tags/classes/events/whatever were highlighted and the deprecated/incompatible stuff was just summarized in a secondary section.

5 stars Awesome

2007-10-30     0 of 0 found this review helpful

The ONLY DHTML reference you need. This book has everything covered from Javascript, HTML, CSS, DOM, Ajax, Web 2.0. This is the only book that I always have by my side while developing.

1 stars unfortunately Very Fat book ,but Not For Beginners

2007-09-03     0 of 6 found this review helpful

I bought this book , and i wait it about 1 month for arrive to me , but i am not lucky , the book contains more than 1300 pages , but i didn't find any thing benefit for me .
I advise any one in beginner Level to keep away from this book .you must save your money .


5 stars Dynamic HTML: The Definitive Reference

2007-07-19     0 of 0 found this review helpful

If you do any sort of web design, whether as a do-it yourself novice or as a professional web designer, Dynamic HTML is a must have resource. This all inclusive guide includes a myriad of features for design elements, objects, and styles organized in several easy to understand and easy to use sections: Alphabetical HTML Reference, Shared DOM Reference, Alphabetical DOM Reference, Event Reference, CSS Reference, and Java Script Reference, Cross Reference. All of these examples include actually bit of code that the reader can use as well as associated attributes and their code to tailor that element, object, or style to your desired specifications. This aspect allows the reader to follow through virtually step by step taking a new concept from inception through to a professional look and feel.

I can already tell that Dynamic HTML is going to be one of those desk references that I keep close by my computer. The book is already plastered with a number of post-it notes in places that I need to fix on my existing web pages, concepts that want to experiment with in the future, or ways that I could make my websites more accessible. Having a good book with these aspects all in one place is a boon.

Still, where I will probably gain the most valuable use of this book is in the comparative aspect of the entries. Along with each of the detailed entries in all of the categories, the author has included information about how each feature translates in the different browsers (Internet Explorer, Netscape Navigator, Mozilla, Safari, Opera, and W3C HTML). Anyone who has spent weeks making their website just perfect only to have their best buddy with a different type of browser say that it's all wonky knows that a good detailed cross reference resource is invaluable. Having one as well organized and intuitive as this one is nothing short of amazing.

5 stars Also useful as a doorstop

2007-03-16     0 of 0 found this review helpful

This book is a comprehensive, well organized, reference for the various technologies that make up Dynamic HTML. Its not for beginners -- it won't teach you how to use the technologies and its not a cookbook of step-by-step examples -- but it will tell you everything you want to know and a lot that you didn't know you needed to know. You probably won't need to refer to it all the time but you'll be very glad to have it around when you need it.

5 stars Great reference for everybody

2007-02-22     0 of 1 found this review helpful

In 8 years of profession web development I destroyed the previous release due to massive use.
One of the few books I can not work without

5 stars I have this book always on my side

2006-08-26     0 of 0 found this review helpful

I have this book always on my side, and when I started to learn DHTML I used a lot. Now I used less often but I still using it every once in a While. Actually I need to buy a second copy because the first one is so wear out that it started to lose pages.

5 stars Sometimes, the big bulky book IS the best choice

2004-01-07     0 of 0 found this review helpful

Members of our team own many of the smaller books about DHTML, including the Visual Quickstart and Prentice Hall's "Essential" book. All are generally good for jumpstarting you when learning DHTML, but as author Danny Goodman says, there are too many contradictions and misleading information floating around out there. So we all thank Danny for putting together a real encyclopedia of all the right stuff. None of us goes back to our little books anymore when we want authoritative information, especially cross-browser issues. We all go to the source. Based on our experience with this book, we are definitely going to order Goodman's Javascript and DHTML Cookbook, too!

5 stars Great Reference

2003-02-19     0 of 1 found this review helpful

This ia a great reference for any tags that you are unsure of how to use, if it's supported, what attributes are available. I highly reccomend it as reference material, if you're looking for anything else like how to do web design then you're in the wrong place. This is meant for the experienced HTML coder.

5 stars New edition just released

2002-09-27     0 of 7 found this review helpful

I just got this book, so haven't had enough time with it to offer a good opinion. BUT, I can say that the book has been completely updated. So the previous negative reviews dated 2001 don't really apply any more.

5 stars Easy Read

2002-06-20     0 of 0 found this review helpful

Great for those who know HTML and who don't. I didn't know the first thing about HTML until I started working in Dreamweaver and then I purchased this book to help explain what and , etc. was and it's been a great help and resource!

4 stars loved it, but a little dated now

2002-04-16     0 of 0 found this review helpful

I have used this book _extensively_ for several years, it is a terrific reference. What isn't stressed in the description is that in addition to being a DHTML ref, it also has very complete HTML, CSS, and JavaScript refs within it. My only caveat is that as others have mentioned I have found little pieces here and there to be out of date - the odd event which Netscape does now understand, the odd CSS element that IE now does understand, etc.

5 stars This is an awesome refence book.

2002-04-12     0 of 0 found this review helpful

In my opinion this is an awesome reference book for DHTML,HTML,CSS and the DOM. I have used this book so much that the cover is about to come off of it! The book is sectioned out by references (first HTML, then DOM, CSS, and Javascript). Each of the sections are then in alphabetical order. Also, each tag/function, etc has a compatibilty listed at the top showing what browsers and versions each command is compatible with. I use this book ALL the time.

3 stars JavaScript !

2002-03-14     0 of 2 found this review helpful

Simply, It's NOT the book I was looking for.
I had "JavaScript bible" for "GOODMAN" before that, and it was better (But still NOT that good book though).
I'm MCSD certified, had alot of writing with JavaScript and none of the two javascript books I have meet my satisfication.
I have been looking for "Real-time JavaScript programming" book (Deals with JavaScript as real and powerful scriptable language NOT a couple of effects and decorations) .
I have to admit it, this book serves as a good REFERENCE no more.
And still NOT that good reference 'cause too many things had changed since this book was published .
Want a JavaScript reference ?
Run to more decent books that has the update for new browsers and codes .

5 stars Another classic by Danny Goodman

2002-02-27     0 of 0 found this review helpful

Just like his Javascript Bible, this is a superb reference book for client side scripters.
It is well organized and each area is clearly explained. Also the index at the back is comprehensive, so it is easy to find whatever you need help with quickly.
This has been an invaluable productivity aid for me. It is hard to find good really good programming reference books, so this gem really stands out in my opinion. It is the best dynamic html book out there.

4 stars The value of an out-of-date book

2001-11-03     0 of 0 found this review helpful

In designing a new DHTML website for a client that is at the cutting edge of technology, we carefully made it compatible "down" a browser or two (with a default site for non-compliant older browsers) -- only to discover after launch that half the client's employees have Netscape 4.06 installed as the official company browser. This book is just the reference I need; for one thing it will remind me (and other web designers) that not everyone is using my favourite browser on my machine with the latest version of every bell and whistle -- and show the way to maximising audience with a creative, stable, and efficient website that doesn't depend on installing IE 9.5. And O'Reilly have never let me down.

5 stars Just essential

2000-07-19     0 of 0 found this review helpful

I make my living creating web pages, coding web pages, and fixing other people's web pages. This book goes with me everywhere. It is clearly arranged, well written, well indexed and everything else that you would want from a reference book. If you have to deal with websites on the client side on any level beyond "beginner" (or pre-DHTML 3.0 browsers) this book is a must. I just hope that the author will bring out an updated version when Netscape 6 is released.

5 stars Topnotch DHTML Reference

2000-07-11     0 of 1 found this review helpful

Got to give credit where credit is due, and that is why I am writing this review. Every since I purchased the book, I had used it numerous number of times, such as checking for browsers compatibility, css syntax, properties and definitions, etc.... After putting this book to good used, I can certainly tell you the one thing that is undisputable of this book is that it is EXTREMELY WELL INDEXED for once!

5 stars A must-own reference book

2000-06-25     0 of 0 found this review helpful

I agree with Silona, this is THE reference book for DHTML! Not a book for learning DHTML, but what you want handy when you have to look something up while working on a project. I also highly recommend his "Javascript Bible," which is a great book for learning Javascript.

4 stars You need this book

2000-06-25     0 of 0 found this review helpful

This is a great, comprehensive reference book for those needing the specifics about DHTML. In addtion to the DHTML and HTML sections, it includes a DOM Reference, CCS Reference and a Javascript Reference.

It points out differences in HTML 4, IE and NN. (Keeps you from wasting your time if you are seeking cross browser compatibility).

Along with the Definitive Guides to HTML and Javascript, this is a must have !

5 stars What a technical reference should be

2000-06-21     0 of 0 found this review helpful

There are hundreds of books out there relating to Web development. I have purchased at least a dozen of them but the one I use is "Dynamic HTML: The Definitive Reference". This book contains all of the information I need about HTML, CSS, DOM, and JavaScript in a very well laid out format. What's more, Mr. Goodman has been kind enough to include a very brief, no frills introduction to implementing the various aspects of DHTML.

I have come to expect good things from O'Reilly, but this is easily the best, most complete computer reference I own.

5 stars Well worth the time spent reading it.

2000-04-27     0 of 0 found this review helpful

I received this book as part of a class I took through Outsource Labs, and it was an excellent supplement to the course materials. I learned plenty about CCS Platforms and still reach for this one as I manage Web page content for my group at work. All of the tags, from to are described clearly and completely. If you're confused about event handlers, this book makes them clear with examples and lists of attributes. If you have Kennedy & Musciano's HTML: The Definitive Guide and this book by Goodman, your Web page management library is just about complete until you venture into Java. A worthwhile buy.

5 stars An Excellent reference

2000-02-20     0 of 0 found this review helpful

This book, as the title suggests, is mostly a reference book which contains huge amount of information on HTML, Javascript, DOM, and CSS. The applying DHTML section of the book, which is about 165 pages long, will get you up to speed with DHTM