Dynamic HTML

In the User Documentation module of courses I teach, I always take the line that there are two kinds of documentation - reference and training (or teaching). As the title of Danny Goodman's Dynamic HTML: The Definitive Reference suggests, it is principally a reference work. But what a tome it is! If you have been considering getting new resources to cover the recent developments in web page techniques, then this could meet that need on its own.

Even at 1418 pages, it is much wider in scope than you might at first imagine. This is because dynamic HTML (DHTML) is not a single technology but a combination of standards and proprietary technologies built into the two most popular DHTML-capable browsers - Netscape and Internet Explorer. The book provides detailed reference for all four elements that make up DHTML.




First, HTML Version 4.0. Second, the document object model (DOM) and its objects, properties, methods and events. Third, cascading style sheets (CSS) including CSS version 2. Fourth, JavaScript (or ECMA Script as its European standard is known). You need to know what you are doing in order to make sense of the 800 or so reference pages, especially with respect to standard HTML, CSS, the DOM and JavaScript.

For example, the section on forms only lists the different input types, such as text box, checkbox, radio button, selection list and text area: it does not explain them at length. This book is certainly not for complete beginners. Other than that, my only criticism of the reference sections is that the layout tends to impede easy identification of the section and sub-section structure.

However, this is not only a collection of reference materials. The first section discusses recent trends in web authoring - dynamic positioning, dynamic content and the separation of structure and content from appearance. Goodman works through examples such as that of a dynamic newsletter that can receive and filter articles.

One of the difficulties with DHTML is that there are major differences between the features offered by Internet Explorer and Netscape. Microsoft's IE is the most impressive by far, provided one is not concerned about things like standards and cross-platform compatibility. Fortunately, the differences between browsers are clearly indicated, and the latest second edition of the book brings browser compatability issues right up to date.

Goodman has also attempted to try out as much as possible on as many different versions of browsers as possible, finding all kinds of undocumented features and inconsistencies which are mentioned in the reference sections. In short, he has produced the equivalent of several books in one - and all at a reasonable price.