Getting Started with p5.js: Making Interactive Graphics in JavaScript and Processing

by Lauren McCarthy, Casey Reas, Ben Fry

With p5.js, you can think of your entire Web browser as your canvas for sketching with code!

Learn programming the fun way--by sketching with interactive computer graphics! Getting Started with p5.js contains techniques that can be applied to creating games, animations, and interfaces. p5.js is a new interpretation of Processing written in JavaScript that makes it easy to interact with HTML5 objects, including text, input, video, webcam, and sound. Like its older sibling Processing, p5.js makes coding accessible for artists, designers, educators, and beginners.

Written by the lead p5.js developer and the founders of Processing, this book provides an introduction to the creative possibilities of today's Web, using JavaScript and HTML.

With Getting Started with p5.js, you'

Quickly learn programming basics, from variables to objects Understand the fundamentals of computer graphics Create interactive graphics with easy-to-follow projects Learn to apply data visualization techniques Capture and manipulate webcam audio and video feeds in the browser

Genres: Programming, Computer Science, Design, Education, Nonfiction, Web, Technology

244 pages, Paperback

First published October 23, 2015

Reviews

[Dusan Paur · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book. I only missed some crazy exercise from Dan Shiffman.

[Thomas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Note: my review of four stars is meant to speak to the general audience. If you're an experienced programmer looking to learn p5.js, this book will not hold a ton of value for you. Perhaps skim it and look at the online examples (which are more up to date with modern JS anyway).

If you're a relative newcomer to coding, though, this book will likely be a great source of fun.

[Justin · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was written for those without any java/javascript knowledge and as such covers basics throughout much of the book

[Lachezar Petkov]

A great reference book

[Pablo María Fernández · Rating 4 out of 5]

Muy recomendable para quien quiere meterse a explorar visualizaciones con programación hecha en base a esta librería de Javascript. Si bien ya conocía los conceptos básicos de programación (iteraciones -for-, condicional -for loop-, variables, arrays, objetos, etc.) los introduce de una forma gradual y amena, con ejemplos vistosos que hacen más divertido y concreto el aprendizaje. Tiene un archivo en la web media.zip donde se levantan los archivos que se usan en los ejemplos (tuve que buscar un poco porque el del link oficial estaba incompleto). Me parece muy astuto a nivel pedagógico que el final de cada capítulo sea una síntesis donde se hace un robot utilizando la teoría vista para que vaya ganando cada vez mayor complejidad y funcionalidad.

[Fang · Rating 4 out of 5]

For programmers this would be a super light read. It covers a decent amount of references, starts with some very basic functions and structures, and eventually touches on some more complicated algorithms.
For artists it might still feel a bit challenging when it gets to OOP. I'd recommend having a fundamental understanding of OOP before embarking on p5.js. Only after technical fluency comes freedom in artistic expression, right? ;)

As for myself, I immediately started to feel more creative after the first chapter. Thanks, Lauren and the processing community for putting the efforts to make digital art-making more accessible to the aspirant at large!

[Ola Hansson · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wanted to like this book and I managed to do so during the first chapters. But I am not so sure about the later ones about object-oriented programming . My brain just seemed to turn off. It was a real slog to make it to the finish.

[Lavender · Rating 4 out of 5]

class textbook for interactivity
/aside/this class made me appreciate programming much more and shake off my prejudice for it, I even discovered I have a knack at it?

[Shawn · Rating 5 out of 5]

love it

[Artù · Rating 4 out of 5]

È la declinazione JavaScript di Processing.
Non copre tutte le problamatiche e possibilità di Javascript, ma mette nelle condizioni di inziare a programmare.

[Miles · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great introduction to p5.js. Not a big book, but it will get you started.

[Tran · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great for beginners. Good examples!