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Jump Start Coffeescript
A practical and concise introduction to CoffeeScript, a programming language that compiles into JavaScript and that makes working with JavaScript easier. The book lays out the basics of the language, its syntax, and the interesting features that set it apart from JavaScript. It should satisfy anyone with an intermediate level of understanding of JavaScript who needs a conceptual and practical introduction to CoffeeScript.
The book is based around a practical project, leading you through the building of a simple HTML-based 2D game, and explaining the language's philosophy, syntax, and features step-by-step along the way. You'll be able to see results on-screen from the very beginning, starting with a simple JavaScript drawing function transformed into CoffeeScript. The game's code is based on well- understood principles and prior art, using common, simple programming patterns that are easy to grasp while also demonstrating CoffeeScript's expressiveness.
This is a fun and fast-paced book that rewards you for each completed step with interesting game features. You will finish the book with the sense of accomplishment that comes from building something fun, as well as having gained a solid understanding of CoffeeScript and an interest in exploring its more advanced features.
The book is based around a practical project, leading you through the building of a simple HTML-based 2D game, and explaining the language's philosophy, syntax, and features step-by-step along the way. You'll be able to see results on-screen from the very beginning, starting with a simple JavaScript drawing function transformed into CoffeeScript. The game's code is based on well- understood principles and prior art, using common, simple programming patterns that are easy to grasp while also demonstrating CoffeeScript's expressiveness.
This is a fun and fast-paced book that rewards you for each completed step with interesting game features. You will finish the book with the sense of accomplishment that comes from building something fun, as well as having gained a solid understanding of CoffeeScript and an interest in exploring its more advanced features.
150 pages, Paperback
First published September 24, 2012
9 people want to read
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July 23, 2014
I decided to review this book, because I know CoffeeScript (CS from now on), has been very popular to the point that rails included as default not so long ago. I now JavaScript (a bit) so I decided to pick this book.
If you don't know CS this is a really good book to start with. Earle Castledine (not Ricardo Tomasi as erroneously states the metadata) has a very original way to achieve its goal: telling you a story. You have to build a web-based game in seven days with a very diligent and hard-working team ().
From simpler to complex topics Earle takes you trough different topics: syntax sugar, fundamentals, control flow, ecc. Every topic you would get in a serious book but instead applied into a game. This way it's easier to remember on how you could use CS in a real-life project.
What I really liked about this book was its humour. This book could have been boring or easily forgettable, instead brings a fun read and also a lot of useful concepts about game programming, the canvas API, particles, ecc.
Only issue I found is that sometimes was a bit hard to read it if you don't have the code at your side (a lot of excerpts), but honestly nothing too terrible or unsolvable.
No doubt, as it names implies, this is a "starter" book, and by no means a full reference, but the book fulfills its objective without any doubt.
I would totally recommend this book to anyone who want to learn CS or wants to get some concepts about game programming.
Disclaimer: I read this book as part of the O'Reilly Blogger program.
If you don't know CS this is a really good book to start with. Earle Castledine (not Ricardo Tomasi as erroneously states the metadata) has a very original way to achieve its goal: telling you a story. You have to build a web-based game in seven days with a very diligent and hard-working team ().
From simpler to complex topics Earle takes you trough different topics: syntax sugar, fundamentals, control flow, ecc. Every topic you would get in a serious book but instead applied into a game. This way it's easier to remember on how you could use CS in a real-life project.
What I really liked about this book was its humour. This book could have been boring or easily forgettable, instead brings a fun read and also a lot of useful concepts about game programming, the canvas API, particles, ecc.
Only issue I found is that sometimes was a bit hard to read it if you don't have the code at your side (a lot of excerpts), but honestly nothing too terrible or unsolvable.
No doubt, as it names implies, this is a "starter" book, and by no means a full reference, but the book fulfills its objective without any doubt.
I would totally recommend this book to anyone who want to learn CS or wants to get some concepts about game programming.
Disclaimer: I read this book as part of the O'Reilly Blogger program.
Displaying 1 of 1 review