I just finished watching Douglas Crockford's talk at Google on Javascript. Javascript: The Good Parts on You Tube. It was both validating and enlightening.
Though I have been writing Javascript since 1998 I have been doing a rather crappy job. Everytime I try to spend some time and actually learn the language it ends up pissing me off even more. But, if you want to write code in the browser that is compatible natively with all the browsers you have only one choice.
It was refreshing to here someone that is so invested in this language discuss all the crappy things about the language. For example: I had no idea until 30 minutes that putting your opening braces on their own line was a problem. First, WTF?. Second, you think this knowledge would be a bit more widespread.
I have also been blown away by what I have observed as a total lack of consistency in the syntax of this language. I thought he did a rather nice job of addressing that issue.
Having spent so long as a developer on the server-side I now find myself at the client side needing some engineering discipline and rigor. I have been able to use third party controls written by others like Matt Kruse. I also have been able to put to use John Resings JQuery library and all of its wonderful add-ins. But, learning to write my own quality Javascript has been a humbling and butt kicking experience.
Doug has certainly shed some light on some of my discontent. I have just ordered his book "Javascript: the Good Parts". Beginning to sound like a commercial. But, I am desperate at this point to get my arms around this language. It is critical to my ultimate success and the evolution of the work I am doing. Hopefully this book can put me on that path. I will let you know at some point how it goes.
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