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Confused on Client Side Track

 
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Hi All,

I've been doing a lot of SWT/SWING applications but I want to change my path and focus on web programming and hopefully land a job there.

I want to upgrade my client side knowledge but currently I am confused on what path to take.
I have knowledge on HTML and CSS but not that much of Javascript.

Most of the job posting that I am seeing requires knowledge on JQuery and AJAX.

Now I am quite confused on how to go about with my learning.

Should I understand Javascript fully first before going to JQuery and AJAX? Or is it ok to dive right on JQuery head on?

After learning on Jquery should AJAX be next?

Thanks..
 
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Obviously you need to know at least rudimentary JavaScript before diving off into a JavaScript library. Otherwise, it'd be like trying to learn how to use a Java library before knowing Java.

What libraries like jQuery shield you from is not JavaScript itself, but the abomination that is the DOM (and its browser-specific vagaries).

jQuery provides an Ajax implementation, so I'd just read over how "raw" Ajax works so that you have some idea what's going on behind the scenes, and then not worry about it anymore.
 
Bear Bibeault
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P.S. There are two JavaScript concepts that are essential to using jQuery effectively, function contexts and closures, that are often foreign concepts to those of us coming from a Java background. I provided an Appendix to jQuery in Action that explains these concepts.
 
Mark Reyes
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Hi Bear,

Thanks for your crystal clear insight.

I actually was hoping you would reply since I am a big fan of yours...

I actually ordered for your book JQuery In action since it got good ratings in amazon though I am not yet sure what good books to buy to read about
Ajax yet. I am looking forward to reading your book.

Thanks again.
 
Don't get me started about those stupid light bulbs.
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