Introduction
JavaScript
is a scripting system for web pages, standalone applications, and
servers. Netscape Corporation invented JavaScript, which has become
such a popular and useful programming tool that all major browsers
now support it. Unlike the Java code shown in this book, JavaScript
is mainly executed in the
web browser as a
client-side scripting system, rather than on the server.
Most busy web sites use JavaScript for dynamic behavior, such as
validating form input or creating new browser windows (much to the
chagrin of users, who are often overwhelmed by irresponsible and
dynamically generated pop ups!). Just choose "View
Source" from the browser menu bar for a typical web
page, and often the first text items you'll see
displayed are endless lines of JavaScript. JavaScript is used for
advanced tasks such as controlling or animating browser shapes
(dynamic HTML), creating flying objects, and initializing the
behavior of embedded videos.
Developers
converting static web pages to JSPs or servlets may have to integrate
existing JavaScript code into their Java source code. This is what
the upcoming recipes are all about.
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