HTML5: The Missing Manual

The advent of HTML5 enabled much advancement in the design of Internet apps. New markup went hand-in-hand with improvements in JavaScript and CSS3. Together, these set the course for web design up to the present (at least, in 2021). This book, though last updated in 2014, still presents the clearest explanation of these technological advances. However, to access this clarity, the reader has to overlook copious references to outdated browser versions along with older (but still working) versions of JavaScript code.MacDonald takes us through how to use HTML5 and more importantly, how it helps us write more effective webpages. Some of this information is already “out there” in the web community, but this book is thorough enough to contain several nuanced pearls. For instance, it covers HTML5 syntax and the canvas element particularly well.Accompanying technologies JavaScript and CSS3 are addressed in detail in the main text. Appendices cover introductions to these topics, so the reader doesn’t need to worry if she/he is unfamiliar with either or both. MacDonald’s clear writing shows an uncanny ability to get readers up-to-speed on details of all of these languages, each with unique issues.Even though seven years is an eternity in the world of tech, I found much of this text still relevant to me as a web developer. Of course, I wish the text could be updated to cover current browsers and breaking issues, but the underlying technology hasn’t changed that much in the recent past. This work can easily be helpful to software developers as well as IT project managers who want to know what’s technologically feasible. HTML5 is a lighter topic as far as software goes, and MacDonald’s writing style is very accessible. This combination makes the book accessible to a wider audience of those involved in software. (Aren’t most of us involved to some degree these days?)Overall, this work can still empower readers to master the nuances of HTML5, JavaScript, and CSS3. Even after developing web software for decades, I still picked up several insights and inspirations for thought. If you read this text, I hope you do as well.

Admittedly those people with the smile on the box have brought more than a few smiles to my face. However, when I opened this box.. no smile.. in fact, I was, unfortunately, frown-y faced. When I opened the box, the cover was torn off the book.Now, I'm not a book snob. I could careless about not being able to resell a book for lack of a cover, but I purchased a brand NEW book. Therefore, everything should be included... Even a cover.I am in a quandary, because I purchased the book for a reason and have to weigh the pros and cons of ... to return or not to return. While the book is completely serviceable regardless of its lack of cover, the point is I purchased a new book not used.I will be contacting Amazon and will update this review when I have made my decision.Update: I contacted Amazon and they shipped a replacement out immediately in brand new condition, complete with cover.I've changed my original review to 4 stars solely because while I want to give a 5-star for content, I am still upset with the condition of the original book sent to me.Overall, I thoroughly enjoy the Missing Manual series. Each book is a series of progressive chapters that build upon the information learned in the previous chapter. The books themselves only tell you what code you would use to do a specific thing, but why and how that code is the best possible choice for that particular use. The examples and tutorials, available as the Missing CDs on the publisher's website, are great hands-on examples that help immensely when putting each theory into practice.All in all, I want to give a 5-star, but I'm sticking firm with my 4-star as the seller really needs to be aware what they are putting in the box to ship to people.

I find the manual truly useful: lucid explanations, nicely thought out examples. Moreover, the online support allowing me to experiment with the examples code is very useful and superbly organized.I often complain that programming books spend too much space explaining simple details and gloss over difficult issues. Another problem with such books is that they include programming examples that have too much dependence between chapters: you cannot study code in, say, chapter 6 without going over all details in chapter 3, 4, 5. This is usually too cumbersome approach.However, this manual allows you to study any portion of it and select what you currently need most - very nice flow.All in all - I would strongly recommend this book to anyone who wants to study HTML, and who wants to have nice reference to it.

I'm new to the world of modern web development. I remember the days where style and structure where still tied together and quickly dropping the idea of becoming a web developer. Now that CSS is here, I've decided to give it a second shot and my teacher recommended this book so I bought it. I opened my laptop when this book arrived and I was ready to code but there seems to be a consistent train of thought throughout the book and that is "this is how people used to do it wrong, try to do it right", and there is definitely more of that than there is coding time. So after the first 30 pages, I tried skipping chapters and after that I stopped reading it and bought HTML Foundations and CSS3 Foundations by Ian Dunn. I don't think it's the books fault, I think I'm not the target.Im hoping I can read this one after I go through the other 2 books, it will make more sense after I've had a little bit more experience.

HTML 5 is no longer a language as this book clearly explains, it is a mixture of standards that cobbled together keep the people that govern the web happy, not a book for beginners. You will have need to html already under your belt along with css, and now you'll also need javascript so if you want to be able to write code in what they call HTML 5 the just learn HTML off the internet, get the missing manual for css3 and a good book on javascript and you'll almost be there, at least for another 6 months before it all changes again.

This book spends a lot of space telling you what is different about html5 and previous versions of html, xml, xhtml etc. When it eventually does get around to being a manual, it's layout and content remain poor. After spending a few hours on it, I've given up. It's on it's way back to Amazon. If you are an expert on html already and want to know history and differences this may work for you. If like me you want to learn from near beginner, forget it.

I love the missing manual books. They’re easy to read and understand, and easy to reference.I found this book very helpful in helping me to learn HTML5

Clearly written and gets you up to speed with what HTML5 can do. However, it seems aimed very much at developers already familiar with HTML, so I'd be wary if you are wanting to learn HTML from scratch, or if you just want to know about the common tags you can use in your CMS.

Told me everything I needed to know to get started with HTML5 and CSS3. I particlularly appreciated the chapter on responsive design.