When comparing Professional JavaScript for Web Developers, 3rd Edition vs Code School, the Slant community recommends Code School for most people. In the question“What are the best resources to learn JavaScript?” Code School is ranked 7th while Professional JavaScript for Web Developers, 3rd Edition is ranked 17th. The most important reason people chose Code School is:
After each video, there are a series of challenges that give you a chance to apply what you just learned. The great thing about these challenges are that they force you to think through a problem, and use the new skills to solve it. It's not just regurgitating facts; it requires some effort.
Specs
Ranked in these QuestionsQuestion Ranking
Pros
Pro Best book to learn Javascript
Without any hesitation, this is the best book on Javascript with clear-cut and in-depth explanation and coverage. It will make you a top-notch JavaScript developer if you use it properly. Just be patient and you will end up with total understanding. Then you will find yourself as a js programmer. Covers everything that you might need to know about JavaScript.
Pro Explains what makes JS confusing and how to go about it
JS can be a confusing language especially for people coming in from other C-based languages. It often provides difficulty writing good code that uses objects and methods. The book explains why that is and how to think about the language to avoid confusion.
Pro Practice the code after each video
After each video, there are a series of challenges that give you a chance to apply what you just learned. The great thing about these challenges are that they force you to think through a problem, and use the new skills to solve it. It's not just regurgitating facts; it requires some effort.
Pro Paths for learning different skills
While you can jump into any video you like, there is also the option to follow a path for what you are wanting to learn. These give a nice direction if you are wanting to improve on a particular area and guide you into what to do next. They currently offer Ruby, Javascript, HTML/CSS, and iOS.
Pro Videos show how to build an app in real time
Soup to Bits is a series of videos that shows a developer creating an app from scratch in real time. It's easy to pause a video and follow along with the developer.
Pro Video tutorials
Videos give an overview of the course/lesson plan before a single line of code is written. This gives context and a general understanding of what is possible and how teaching will be approached.
Pro Fun and engaging teaching style
The instructors often use humour throughout the videos while letting their passion for the topic show.
Pro In-depth courses
Code School is not just for beginners to programming, but provides plenty of intermediate and advanced courses for students as their skills grow.
Cons
Con Material can be too dense for some
This is not a good starting place for those who can't absorb dense material. It evolves from basic to advanced concepts, but you have to want to stick with it and pay attention.
Con The book requires knowledge of general programming concepts
If your programming experience is currently limited to only HTML and CSS, this book will likely be too advanced to follow. It's great for someone with programming experience in another language who's looking to learn JavaScript. Beginners will have to be willing to simultaneously pick up general programming concepts (like data types, variables).
Con Acquired by Pluralsight
Con Videos are of a tone that some people cannot stand
Con Requires paying to complete courses
Although the beginning of each course is free and you can see if you are interested in pursuing it, to complete the course you must pay.
Con A bit too basic
There is not a lot of advanced content.
