Are you looking for the best books to learn JavaScript (ES6+) from beginner to advanced? Well, look no further! I’ve done the research and found some of the top-rated resources that can help you become a pro in no time. Whether you’re just starting out or want to brush up on your knowledge, this article has something for everyone.
In the first section, I’ll explain to you why several JavaScript books out there are out-of-date since the release of ES6. Then we’ll move on to discussing my picks for the best books – covering everything from basics like variables and functions through more complex topics such as classes and promises.
So grab yourself a cup of coffee and let’s dive into it!
Why Many Javascript Books Are Out-Of-Date
I’m sure many of us have been there: you pick up a book on JavaScript, eager to learn all about the language. But when you open it up and start reading through the chapters, it quickly becomes clear that almost everything in the book has become outdated since its publication. This is because of ES6 – otherwise known as ECMAScript 6, or just ES2015 – which was published in 2015, and brought with it a whole range of new features for JavaScript developers.
Nowadays, if you’re looking to learn JS from scratch (or brush up on your existing knowledge) then chances are that an out-of-date book won’t be able to help you much. That’s why I recommend doing some research into books that take ES6 into account before committing to one particular text. You’ll want something which explains how ES6 works and how it can be used efficiently within a modern development environment.
It should also cover newer concepts like asynchronous programming, Promises, arrow functions, and classes – all things that weren’t possible prior to ES6’s release but are now considered part of “standard” JavaScript practice. Reading these topics will give you an understanding of where the language is heading in terms of future developments and technologies; something that older books simply cannot provide.
So if you’re serious about learning JavaScript properly – giving yourself the best chance at becoming employable in today’s market – make sure that any resources you use include explanations regarding modern techniques such as those mentioned above.
Now, it’s time to explore the list of the top 14 books to learn JavaScript ES6+ in 2023 (ordered by difficulty level)!
1. Learn Javascript Quickly: A Complete Beginner’s Guide To Learning Javascript, Even If You’re New To Programming
This book provides a crash course with hands-on projects to help you learn Javascript quickly. It’s suitable for complete beginners who have never programmed before.
The approach of this book is unique and effective. It focuses on teaching concepts in an easy-to-understand way while building real-world projects at the same time. The author has provided detailed explanations as well as practical exercises throughout the chapters which will definitely make learning much easier.
What makes this book really special is that it covers all aspects of Javascript programming ranging from basic syntaxes and structures to advanced techniques such as object-oriented programming, functional programming, and so on. Plus, there are several helpful illustrations included in each chapter along with suggested resources for further reading.
Here are some key points about the contents of this book:
- Chapters 1 – 6 guide readers through the basics of JavaScript from data types, variables, functions, and objects to control flow and loops;
- Subchapters include topics like arrays, strings & booleans, if/else statements, for & while loops, switch cases, etc.;
- Each subchapter includes code examples plus comprehensive explanations;
- Includes quizzes after every topic to check understanding level;
- Chapters 7 – 10 cover more advanced JS topics including Object Oriented Programming (OOP), Functional Programming (FP), and ES6+ features such as arrow functions, classes & modules;
- Every concept comes with assignments/exercises designed by professional developers;
- Helpful diagrams explaining complex concepts;
- Numerous tips & tricks enabling better coding practices.
Overall, Learn JavaScript Quickly offers a great opportunity for anyone looking to start their journey into web development or just simply wanting to improve their existing skillset in the language itself.
2. Absolute Beginner’s Guide to Javascript
If you’re a complete beginner to programming and want to learn JavaScript, then Absolute Beginner’s Guide to Javascript is the perfect book for you! It assumes zero prior programming experience and starts with the basics of JavaScript.
The author, Kirupa Chinnathambi, has a friendly and conversational writing style that makes even the most complex concepts easy to understand. What’s more, the book is packed with practical examples and exercises that help you apply what you’ve learned.
With Absolute Beginner’s Guide to Javascript, you’ll learn all the essential topics such as variables, data types, and control structures. You’ll also learn how to work with the Document Object Model (DOM), manipulate HTML and CSS, and handle events. The book even includes chapters on working with arrays, objects, and functions and using JavaScript to build games and animations!
One of the things I love most about this book is that it provides online resources such as videos and quizzes to help you reinforce what you’ve learned. This makes the learning process more engaging and fun! Also, the book is up-to-date with the latest version of JavaScript, including ES6+ features.
Overall, Absolute Beginner’s Guide to Javascript is an amazing book for anyone who wants to learn JavaScript from scratch. It’s easy to read, comprehensive, and filled with practical examples and exercises that make learning JavaScript a breeze!
3. Javascript From Beginner To Professional: Learn Javascript Quickly By Building Fun, Interactive, And Dynamic Web Apps, Games, And Pages
Are you ready to become a JavaScript expert? If so, then this book is for you. With JavaScript from Beginner to Professional, you can gain the skills needed to take your coding knowledge to the next level.
This book is packed with practical examples that will help you understand how to create dynamic applications using modern ES6+ features such as arrow functions and promises. You’ll also learn about object-oriented programming (OOP), Node.js basics, debugging techniques, React fundamentals, and more.
Furthermore, the book provides hands-on exercises which allow readers to build their own projects while learning new concepts in an easy manner.
The following table outlines some of the topics covered in this book:
| Topic | Description | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| ES6+ Features | Introduction of ES6+ syntax including Arrow Functions, Promises & Modules | Creating reusable modules; Converting callbacks into promises |
| Object Oriented Programming (OOP) | Understanding classes & objects; Inheritance between classes; Polymorphism in OOP | Building custom data structures like queues & stacks; Creating modularized codebases through inheritance |
| Node Basics |
|
Learning popular packages like Express Framework; Setting up basic HTTP servers; Exploring different ways of writing asynchronous code; Troubleshooting bugs with Chrome DevTools |
In addition to these topics, there are several chapters dedicated to advanced aspects such as deploying production applications or setting up automated testing suites. This makes it easier for developers who want to go beyond simply knowing how certain things work and actually be able to deploy real-world applications confidently.
And once you have gone through the content of the book, you’ll know all you need in order to start creating professional quality software solutions with all the latest technologies available today!
4. The Joy Of Javascript
Now that you’ve explored Javascript From Beginner To Professional, let’s take a look at The Joy of JavaScript. This book is designed to give beginners and advanced learners an easy-to-understand introduction to the fundamentals of coding with JavaScript.
It covers topics such as basic language syntax, data structures, algorithms, objects, functions, classes, and modules. Furthermore, it explores more complex concepts like async/await patterns and web development using modern frameworks.
The Joy of JavaScript makes learning fun by utilizing interactive exercises and providing hands-on examples for each topic discussed. Aspiring coders can test their knowledge through quizzes and practice problems to ensure they have mastered specific skill sets before moving on to harder ones. Additionally, this text provides code snippets so you can quickly see what’s needed to build projects from scratch or tweak existing applications.
Aside from teaching programming techniques, The Joy of JavaScript also explains how these techniques are applied in real-world scenarios. Whether you’re creating websites or mobile apps, there is something here for every level of experience – making it an excellent choice for those looking to sharpen their coding chops while exploring new technologies!
Whether you’re starting out or already quite familiar with coding principles, The Joy of JavaScript offers comprehensive guidance on mastering the basics and beyond. With its clear instructions and engaging approach to problem-solving, this book will help you get up to speed quickly on essential coding concepts without becoming overwhelmed by excessive detail or jargon.
5. Eloquent Javascript
Moving on from The Joy of JavaScript, Eloquent JavaScript is a great book for those looking to take their JavaScript skills to the next level. It covers all of the modern ES6+ features and provides detailed explanations with plenty of exercises along the way. The authors have also included some helpful visual diagrams that help explain difficult concepts in an easy-to-understand manner.
This book goes beyond just teaching you how to code; it offers guidance on topics such as debugging and performance optimization, making it valuable even if you’re already familiar with programming basics. Furthermore, this book delves into more advanced topics like React, Node.js, and WebAssembly, ensuring your knowledge base will remain up-to-date with current trends in web development.
The third edition of Eloquent JavaScript has been recently updated to include new content on asynchronous functions and classes, which are essential tools when working with complex data sets or building robust front-end applications. Additionally, there’s no shortage of online resources available that supplement the text itself — including interactive tutorials and workshops tailored specifically towards beginners.
Eloquent JavaScript is definitely worth considering if you’re serious about learning professional JavaScript programming techniques. Whether you’re just starting out or already experienced in coding fundamentals, this book can provide valuable insight into mastering today’s most popular programming language.
6. You Don’t Know JS
If you’re looking to learn JavaScript (ES6+), then You Don’t Know JS by Kyle Simpson is a perfect choice. This series of six books dives deep into JavaScript and explores some of its most essential concepts.
The first book, Up & Going, provides a great introduction for those just getting started with programming in general, while later books dive deeper into more advanced topics such as scope, this keyword, object prototypes, async flow control, and more.
There are 6 books in the series:
| Books | Description |
|---|---|
| Up & Going | A beginner-friendly guide to programming fundamentals |
| Scope & Closures | Exploring how variables and functions are scoped within code |
| this & Object Prototypes | Understanding this keyword and object prototype chains |
| Types & Grammar | Learning type coercion and other grammar features |
| Async & Performance | Discovering best practices for asynchronous coding |
| ES6& Beyond | Examining new language specifications like generators |
Each book takes readers through practical exercises that reinforce the knowledge acquired from reading each chapter. They cover various aspects of the language such as syntax, semantics, style guides, and debugging techniques which makes them invaluable resources on your journey toward mastering JavaScript.
Furthermore, their easy-to-understand writing style makes these books accessible even to those who are not versed in computer science or software engineering. And if you ever get stuck on something, there’s usually a helpful discussion forum available online where people can ask questions about any topic covered in the series.
So whether you’re starting out or already an experienced programmer trying to sharpen your skillset – You Don’t Know JS will be a valuable asset during your learning process. These comprehensive yet approachable books offer everything you need to gain a thorough understanding of modern-day JavaScript development.
7. Modern Javascript For The Impatient
I recently read Modern JavaScript for the Impatient, a book by Dr. Cay S. Horstmann and I really enjoyed it! This book teaches you how to write modern JavaScript code using ES6+, from beginner to advanced levels. It starts off with an introduction to the language basics and then progresses into more complex topics such as functions, objects, classes, modules, promises, async programming, etc.
The best part about this book is that it doesn’t assume any prior knowledge of JavaScript programming. Even if you don’t have any coding experience at all, you can still follow along with its step-by-step instructions and examples.
It also includes plenty of exercises so that you can practice what you’ve learned in each chapter. The explanations are very clear and concise which makes it easier to understand even complicated concepts like closures or generators.
The last section covers some tips on debugging your code and optimizing performance. Dr Horstmann provides great advice on making sure your code runs smoothly before deploying it live. He also explains techniques for avoiding common pitfalls when writing code which is invaluable information regardless of whether you’re just starting out or already experienced in web development.
Overall, Modern JavaScript for the Impatient is an excellent guide for anyone looking to learn ES6+. Each concept is explained clearly and accompanied by relevant examples making it easy to grasp tough topics quickly without getting bogged down in unnecessary details. Highly recommended!
8. Javascript Cookbook: Programming The Web
I also recommend JavaScript Cookbook: Programming the Web for those looking to learn JavaScript from beginner to advanced. This book offers an in-depth look at how modern web applications are built using ES6+ and is a great resource for those who want to build their knowledge of the language. It covers all aspects of developing with JavaScript, including object-oriented programming, modular development, client/server architecture, APIs, async functions, debugging techniques, and more.
The authors have done an excellent job of providing clear examples that illustrate important concepts and best practices. Each example is accompanied by detailed explanations so readers can understand why specific solutions work better than others. Additionally, there are plenty of exercises that help reinforce what you’ve learned. The book also contains helpful tips on optimizing your code for performance and readability.
One thing I especially like about this book is its focus on real-world scenarios. For example, it includes guidance on setting up databases and managing user interactions within web apps as well as instructions on creating custom HTML tags and styling elements with CSS3. Overall, this book provides comprehensive coverage of both basic and advanced topics related to modern JavaScript development and will be an invaluable addition to any developer’s library.
This book is suitable for developers at all levels – whether you’re just getting started or already have some experience working with JavaScript you’ll find something useful here. Plus it’s written in a friendly tone which makes it easy to absorb new material without feeling overwhelmed or discouraged. Whether you’re interested in picking up a few tips or diving into the nitty gritty details of the language, this cookbook gives you the perfect starting point!
9. The Modern Javascript Tutorial
If you’re looking for an in-depth, comprehensive guide to learning JavaScript from beginner to advanced, then The Modern JavaScript Tutorial is a great resource. This online tutorial also offers a pdf/epub book for offline access. It covers all the core concepts of ES6+ and provides plenty of examples to help you understand and apply them. Plus, it’s easy to navigate with clear sections and subsections that make it simple to find exactly what you need.
Here are some key features of this tutorial:
- Comprehensive coverage: It has everything you need to know about JavaScript, starting at the basics and going up through more complex topics like classes and modules.
- Step-by-step tutorials: Each section contains detailed explanations accompanied by interactive code snippets that allow readers to experiment with different possibilities.
- Practical exercises: To reinforce your understanding of each concept there are numerous real-world coding challenges throughout the course.
The Modern JavaScript Tutorial also includes helpful tips for debugging common errors as well as references for further reading on specific topics. With its combination of theory, practice, and reference materials this tutorial is sure to help any learner gain mastery over programming in JavaScript.
10. Secrets Of The Javascript Ninja
The second edition of Secrets Of The JavaScript Ninja is an updated version of the popular book by John Resig and Bear Bibeault. This edition covers the latest updates to JavaScript, making it an excellent resource for both new and experienced JavaScript developers.
The book is divided into four parts:
- The first part covers the basics of JavaScript, including variables, data types, and control structures.
- The second part covers more advanced topics, such as functions, closures, and object-oriented programming.
- The third part covers even more advanced topics such as regular expressions, debugging, and optimization.
- The last part covers DOM manipulation and cross-browser techniques.
What sets this book apart from other JavaScript books is its approach to teaching. The authors use a fun ninja theme to make learning JavaScript more engaging and memorable. The book is filled with real-world examples and scenarios that help readers understand how to use JavaScript effectively.
One of the most significant updates in this edition is the coverage of ES6 and ES7. The authors provide comprehensive explanations of new features such as arrow functions, template literals, and the spread operator. They also cover more advanced features such as generators and async/await.
Overall, Secrets Of The JavaScript Ninja is an excellent resource for developers who want to take their JavaScript skills to the next level. The updated content and practical exercises make it a must-read for anyone serious about mastering JavaScript!
11. Rediscovering Javascript: Master ES6, ES7, And ES8
This book is a comprehensive guide to the latest versions of JavaScript, including ES6, ES7, and ES8. It’s packed with practical examples and exercises to help you apply what you’ve learned in real-world situations.
One of the things that set Rediscovering JavaScript apart is its focus on teaching through examples. The author uses a variety of scenarios and code snippets to help readers understand the core concepts of JavaScript, and how they apply to modern web development.
The book is divided into four parts, starting with an overview of the language and its key features. From there, it covers more advanced topics like closures, modules, and asynchronous programming. The final part of the book covers the latest features of JavaScript, including async/await, proxies, and decorators.
Whether you’re new to JavaScript or a seasoned developer, Rediscovering JavaScript is a great resource for mastering the language. The practical examples and exercises will help you develop a deep understanding of JavaScript, and the latest features covered in the book will help you stay up-to-date with the latest trends in web development.
12. Professional Javascript For Web Developers
This book, Professional JavaScript for Web Developers is a great choice to learn Javascript (ES6+) from beginner to advanced. It covers every aspect of the language in detail and also provides examples that help you understand the concepts better.
The book begins with an introduction to ES6+ and its features before going into core topics like objects, strings, functions, classes, modules, etc. It then takes the reader through more advanced topics such as asynchronous programming and DOM manipulation. Each topic has plenty of examples and exercises to practice what was learned.
The author does a great job of explaining difficult concepts clearly and concisely. He uses analogies that make it easy to remember complex ideas. Furthermore, he includes lots of tips on how to write efficient code which will be valuable for any developer looking to build robust applications. Finally, the book is packed with references to other resources so readers can continue learning after they finish reading the book.
Overall this is a comprehensive guide for anyone wishing to learn JavaScript (ES6+) from scratch or wanting to take their knowledge further by mastering more advanced techniques and tools. Whether you are just beginning your coding journey or already have some experience under your belt this would be an excellent resource for improving your skillset.
13. Javascript: The Comprehensive Guide To Learning Professional Javascript Programming
If you’re looking for a comprehensive guide to learning professional JavaScript programming, Philip Ackermann’s book is the ideal option. The book covers all the essential topics that beginners need to understand in order to get started with coding and advanced concepts such as object-oriented programming, ES6+ features, data structures, and algorithms. It also provides valuable insights into debugging techniques and best practices.
The language used throughout the book is simple yet effective. The author explains complex concepts in an easy-to-follow manner which makes it understandable even for those who are new to coding. He also includes plenty of examples to explain each concept thoroughly so that readers can gain a better understanding of them. Additionally, he provides helpful tips on how to use popular libraries like React and Node effectively.
Ackermann does not just focus on teaching his audience how to code but also emphasizes why they should do so by providing real-world examples. This helps readers put their newfound knowledge into practice right away and start building projects faster. His approach enables readers to apply what they have learned straightaway instead of just memorizing facts or rules without context.
Overall, this book is perfect for anyone wanting to learn JavaScript from the beginner level up through advanced topics in an organized way while getting practical advice along the way!
14. Javascript: The Definitive Guide
This book is a great resource for anyone wanting to learn JavaScript and its ES6+ updates. It covers the basics of the language, as well as more advanced topics such as object-oriented programming, regular expressions, and debugging techniques. The author has done an excellent job of making complex concepts easier to understand with clear explanations and helpful examples.
Additionally, this guide contains plenty of reference material so readers can look up specific syntax or functions quickly without having to search through pages of documentation. What’s more, the seventh edition includes coverage of new features like async functions and modules that are available in modern browsers.
All in all, it provides an extensive overview of everything you need to know about JavaScript from beginner level to advanced. If you’re looking for a comprehensive textbook that will help you master the world’s most popular programming language then this is definitely the right choice for you!
Best Books To Learn JavaScript In 2023: Conclusion
As a JavaScript enthusiast, I’m always on the lookout for great books to learn from. With ES6+, there are some amazing options out there that can help you take your coding skills to the next level.
The books listed above offer an incredible range of content – from beginner-level basics to advanced concepts and techniques. No matter where you’re at in your development journey, these resources have something to teach you. Whether it’s understanding best practices or brushing up on ES6+ features, each book provides valuable insight into modern JavaScript programming.
Ultimately, if you want to become a proficient and successful JavaScript programmer, then investing in one (or more) of these excellent titles is essential! So pick up one today and start learning what makes this powerful language truly shine!