jQuery 1.4 Reference Guide – Free Book Giveaway, Comment to win

by Javascript, jQuery, Web Design

For this months book giveaway we have jQuery 1.4 Reference Guide, written by Jonathan Chaffer, Karl Swedberg.
To give yourself a chance of winning this book all you have to do is leave a comment below, and tell us how jQuery has helped you improve your web development projects, or you could quite easily comment about how much you would love this book.

About the Book “jQuery 1.3 with PHP”

jQuery 1.4 Reference GuideTo make optimal use of jQuery, it’s good to keep in mind the breadth of capabilities it provides. So, if you are looking for a comprehensive reference guide to this popular JavaScript library, this book is for you.

The book has been revised and updated for version 1.4 of jQuery, and it offers an organized menu of every jQuery method, function, and selector. Each method and function is introduced with a summary of its syntax and a list of its parameters and return value, followed by a discussion, with examples where applicable, to assist in getting the most out of jQuery and avoiding the pitfalls commonly associated with JavaScript and other client-side languages.

In this book you will be provided information about the latest features of jQuery that include Sizzle Selector, Native event delegation, Event triggering, DOM manipulation, and many more. You won’t be confined to built-in functionality, you’ll be able to examine jQuery’s plug-in architecture and they discuss both how to use plug-ins and how to write your own.

What you can learn from this book
  • * Explore the impressive jQuery JavaScript library and its capabilities with a real-world example.
  • * Investigate jQuery’s plug-in architecture, using a variety of approaches to extend the library’s capabilities.
  • * Pull information from the server without refreshing a page using the AJAX capabilities of jQuery.
  • * Build a small script that dynamically extracts the headings from an HTML document and assembles them into a table of contents for the page.
  • * Discover the Form plug-in for combining AJAX techniques with HTML forms.
  • * Explore the Dimensions plug-in for getting the size and position of any element on the page—even the document and browser window.
  • * Determine whether an element is visible by testing its current width and height using a :visible selector.
  • * Inspect the browser environment and individual jQuery objects using the properties of jQuery.
  • * Create an extremely powerful jQuery toolset using a combined set of a selector expression and a corresponding DOM traversal method.
  • * Get complete and functional jQuery-powered scripts in this example-packed book.

Even if you don’t win the book, it is a book you should consider: jQuery 1.4 Reference Guide.

How to win this book

To give yourself a chance of winning this book all you have to do is leave a comment below, and tell us how jQuery has helped you improve your web development projects, or you could comment about how much you would love this book. The winner will be chosen at random.

Good luck to everyone!

You might also like…

15 jQuery Plugins for Better Web Page Element Layouts »
25 Useful jQuery Tooltip Plugins and Tutorials »
20 Professional jQuery Image Gallery Plugins »
25 Tutorials and Resources for Learning jQuery UI »
10 Useful jQuery Form Validation Techniques and Tutorials »

Author: (566 Posts)

Paul Andrew is the editor and founder of Speckyboy Design Magazine. You can follow Speckyboy on Twitter, on Facebook, on Digg or you can subscribe via RSS.

  • http://tookooldoggies.blogspot.com Elena

    JQuery has helped me understand how javascript works better. It also have given me some great inspiration for doing photo galleries and animations on the web. It would be so great to win this book.

  • http://alantakushi.com Alan Takushi

    jQuery has greatly improved the interactivity and user experience on the web sites I’ve worked. I particularly like the drop-down nav menus that provide a smooth and silky functionality.

    I only use the copy/paste method at the moment but really want to learn what’s under hood.

  • http://www.thomascraigconsulting.com Thomas Craig Consulting

    JQuery has simplified the client-side development via its ease of use and powerful selector chaining capabilities.

  • http://juarezpaf.com Juarez P. A. Filho

    jQueryis incredible and I use it on every web project. This book will help slot to understand new features and how to implement cooler stuffs.

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  • Samuel Nilsson

    jQuery opened many doors for me as a newbie in web design and development. It has basically made it possible for me to use the same advanced effects and techniques that before has demanded a lot of knowledge in JavaScript. And because of that has been reserved for senior designers and developers.

  • Jack F

    jQuery has helped bring the level of client side development down and as such adding extra usability to a website is now much easier, quicker and a whole lot more fun.

  • Jeff

    I have recently started dabbling in jQuery and am eager to learn more. Saves me from navigating ugly and cumbersome flash.

  • Alex

    jQuery is the most complete and easy to use javascript framework out there. Period.

  • http://www.rawtherdesign.com shebby

    Jquery is a lifesaver. Its one of the smartest things ever invented and the amount of possibilities using the methods are endless.

    I am currently getting into advanced jquery and hence would love love love :) a copy of this book.

  • ahjo

    jQuery makes my websites delicious! I can’t stop learning it. New book would be very helpful!

  • http://www.chrisbovard.com chris bovard

    Jquery has helped me over the last 4 years build better websites and the cross browser event handler is slick.
    the best Javascript Framework out there!

  • http://blog.tribak.org/ Tribak

    I had my first javascript contact by using jQuery, it is so easy to use and it just need a little code to do big things

  • http://www.wowjuju.com Loky

    jQuery was perfect for my current project. I needed something to help me build something between a basic website and a web application and jQuery was the solution for it.

  • http://diggerdesignlabs.com Steve Robillard

    jquery by abstracting browser differences means that you write code once not several versions, only to find out some user is viewing your site with ie 5.3 for the mac and wondering why he doesn’t have the bells and whistles that safari does etc. A lot less effort goes into making it work cross browser which hopefully means better code overall.

  • http://www.rswr.net/ Ryan C

    jQuery is simply awesome. It has helped me condense my code and get things done much quicker. I use jQuery in every project, it’s so much more fun! :)

  • Kevin Rajaram

    jQuery had helped me improved my sites functionality and amaze many of my clients and friends. I would love this book to expand on my knowledge and learn some more really cool stuff to do with jQuery.

  • Abulafio

    I didn’t use jQuery yet…. I need the book to learn it! :o)

  • http://flavors.me/mikael Mikael Pittam

    Web 2.5 would not exist if not for jQuery. This handy book would save time during development so I can browse SpeckyBoy.com more thoroughly :)

  • http://meekgeek.com Joel Caballero

    Mootools is cool but jQuery has the community to back it up, and that goes a long way. Gimmi the book!!

  • http://www.klanoma.com William

    JQuery allows me to develop dynamic, interactive pages while maintaining elegant code.

  • Edison A. Leon

    I want it! Jquery has been the light of my projects in the last few weeks I used to work with prototype until recently, I think I’m not going back to it

  • SJL iPhone

    This book would be a great way for me to learn more about implementing jQuery in my Web projects. Thanks for the chance to win.

  • Vishal

    Honestly speaking, I stumbled upon jQuery when I was doing a Google search for useful JavaScript functions. I had started my own “library” of general purpose, but useful functions that I could build and continue to improve upon. I had planned to use this library of functions for all websites that I build. I can’t even remember which site it was, but the other commenters pointed me to something called jQuery that would supposedly change the way I think of web development. I thought that since I was taking the trouble to build my own set of functions, checking out jQuery wouldn’t be such a big waste of time. And when I looked at jQuery and all the plugins that were published by the generous authors (this was about 4-5 months ago), I absolutely fell in love with this. More than the usefulness of jQuery, I have developed deep respect for the authors of jQuery, jQueryUI and the countless plugins. I am now an active listener to the jQuery and yayQuery podcasts, and hope to be a plugin developer one day.

  • petriv

    jquery took me the next level

  • http://www.phoenixfiresolutions.com John

    wouldn’t mind a copy at all.

  • http://www.studioweber.com Alex Flueras

    I use jQuery in each of my projects for several years by now. It enriches the user experience, keeps the content SEO friendly, keeps the page weight relatively low, it’s easy customizable, and so on…

  • http://zimon.hu Peter Z.

    First I started using prototypejs for a few projects but when I realized that jQuery has a lot more third party extensions and plugins I switched to it. Afterwards I found it much easier to use and turned out that the documentation and support is even better. I think this framework is a must for every web developer.

  • http://flavors.me/kalleherler Kalle Herler

    jQuery has helped me write webapps and websites that my bosses can’t comment or review my code :D

    Oh and it’s made me write better sites without having to think about so much wtfjs:ness :)

    I love it! <3

  • http://www.agentwp.com Agent Wordpress

    jQuery has been very useful in my career as a wordpress developer. Sprinkle some jQuery in a normal theme and it transforms into an awesome theme. I am still learning the details of many things in jQuery and this book may help. Thanks.

  • penguaroch

    I would love to receive this book!

  • http://www.slicemachine.com Mike

    jQuery helped us to significantly speed up development time. It’s easy to create a great user experience with it.

    Truthfully, it’s the most awesome invention since the wheel. :)

  • http://www.iamntz.com Ionut Staicu

    jQuery helped me to learn… javascript.

    I started to work with jQuery just for fun, with no knowledge of client side programming (other than html & css). I first learned jQuery, then some JS (not too much, but still)

  • Alessandro

    Jquery made my otherwise dull job fun!

  • http://www.google.com Dilip

    with jquery lots of things are possible our company website have become faster and looks better

  • http://addmyurl.co.cc waqas

    jQuery has decreases our web development time significantly and allowed us to make stylish and interactive applications with less code.

    jQuery rocks!

  • http://www.netzgeist.org Marc

    jQuery is by far the best Javascript library ever! And solutions, based on jQuery, pushes the boundaries of web applications to something new and elegant. :)

  • Tanguy

    Write less do more => that’s all

  • http://www.sprocket.co.nz Duncan Heal

    I love using jQuery cos it’s made web development a lot more fun. It’s a great way to create absorbing and interactive sites that people want.

  • http://www.cojocaruvadim.co.cc Vadim

    Jquery makes our lives easier!

  • Sam Blease

    Simply put, I can’t imagine life without jQuery.

  • http://www.thomasguillot.com Thomas G.

    I’ve always hated Flash but I’ve always wanted to add some animations stuff in my websites. Thanks to jQuery I can do that!

  • http://blog.aditu.de Tobi

    I use jQuery for my rss reader “rsslounge” (http://rsslounge.aditu.de). Its perfect for realizing interactive application with drag n drop.

    Best regards
    Tobi

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  • DarkDude

    Oh.. wow! jQuery has dramatically improved the quality of all my work. Before it, I used to write all the animation and transition code myself, and it took forever and it was buggy too!
    jQuery just makes everything so much easier; it cuts all the development times in half or even better!

  • http://www.matteoagosti.com Matteo

    JQuery brought light in a dark age of static design :-) I can’t live without it

  • Fredrik D.

    I have used all kinds of javascript libraries over the years but jQuery really stands out and to me is undoubtedly the industry leader. The features and functionalities are extensive, and with jQuery’s plug-in architecture and how easy it is to extend the library’s capabilities is truly a lifesaver to me, or at least a business saver!

    I’d love to get a copy of this book to help me improve and use this library to its full extent!

  • Alessandro

    Jquery is the best javascript framework. Has helped me build better and cross-browser websites. It’s easy and fun work with it.

  • http://www.webcanedo.com.br Jônatan Fróes

    jQuery is not a Framework. It’s a mother!

  • http://www.aboutme.it Enrico
  • kisPocok

    “comment to win” ^^

  • http://adjacentconcepts.com Blain Smith

    jQuery is the best thing since sliced bread. It allows me to develop applications with speed and, more importantly, confidence that it will just work.

    I even do a lot of design mockups with fake data and JSON and jQuery to show clients how the application will function withoit touching a data base or server side language.

    jQuery is essential to any web application needed that extra edge to exceed clients’ expectations.

  • Matt O.

    jQuery is just amazing. It helps to create beautiful intuitive additions to almost any site.

  • http://bakawan.com uwiuw

    i love to have this.

  • http://www.alamalnet.com/ Abdelhadi Touil

    jQuery for me is just the magic for websites!
    I’d like to have this book because I see it very helpful for jQuery lovers like me :)
    Thanks.

  • Mike

    Thanks for the great giveaway. I’d love to win a copy of the book so I had a good physical jQuery reference at my desk.

  • http://www.azoln.com Chris P.

    Jquery has allowed my to add a ‘coolness’ and functionality to my projects that would otherwise be left out.

  • Nathan Best

    Jquery. Helps bring my ideas to life ;-)

  • http://hi.baidu.com/thinkmad thinkmad

    I’m learning jQuery,and I need a book.

  • http://colincavaliere.com Colin Cavaliere

    jquery has been one of the best languages I could have learned within the web dev. realm.
    It allows for great functionality and speeds up dev time. I still have a lot to learn within this language, and will take any sort of learning or training on this subject.
    I want to build sites that exceed customers expectations and would use this book to do that.

  • Jacob

    I’ve been wanting this book for days… Would be great to win it!

  • http://mzltd.com Jason W

    JQuery has really improved my efficiency in building many effects that we were once coding manually or relying on Flash for. This book would be a great reference to have as I continue to delve into the world of jQuery.

  • http://mohnish.in Mohnish Thallavajhula

    jQuery is the most awesome JS framework that I have ever worked with. It stands to the expectation. Write less. Do more. Easiest to implement framework ever.

  • http://www.mayzes.org Shawn

    It has improved my skills as a developer by giving me interest in creating a jquery plugin.

    Also taught me about network effects in social media, when the plugin went viral.

  • Adam

    jQuery is the one and only JS Framework I have used. I need this book to expand my jQuery usage beyond taking other peoples examples.

  • http://s.sss.com s

    hello,i just want it

  • Chris McQueen

    A copy would really help me get off the ground with jQuery.

  • http://www.rumahlebah.com Ahmad Ali

    Jquery + HTML 5 + CSS3 + PHP 5 + Firefox – ( IE5 – IE6 – IE7 – IE8 – (IE²) * Chrome = web art masterpieces

  • http://webitect.net/ Nick Parsons

    That book looks great! What I love about jQuery is how it enables me to jump past browser/DOM inconsistencies and concentrate instead on the functionality of a script. It saves so much time (and bytes) not to have to do all those if(document.element) checks.

    In addition, jQuery has opened to the door to a whole new world of visual effects that previously were only possible using flash. Overall, jQuery is the biggest friend of efficieny I know. I love it!

  • Eliazer

    I would really love to have this book.

    Thanks so much for a all tghe wonderful posts.

  • Matt

    jQuery makes client side development much easier, quicker and a whole lot more fun.

  • Pete

    I enjoy using javascript & xhtml more because of jQuery. It has made coding funner.

  • Richard Orange

    I’m fascinated by JQuery. A reference guide would be just what I need to get my websites on the ball and rolling :o

    Good Luck!

  • http://www.romualdjanik.art.pl Romuald

    JQuery really takes away all the boring complications of manipulating DOM and enables one to concentrate on the functionality…

    It is also very clean and has well thought out and very consistent API..

  • http://tapchiweb20.com Minh Nguyen

    I want to buy that book but can’t afford for it right now. This book would be very valuable to provide me complete reference on jquery, which helps me build interactive websites.

  • Jason

    Do want this book!

    Thanks for the awesome articles.

  • http://www.myspace.com Tomas

    Wow. There sure are a lot of people here that love jQuery. Don’t know if it would be useful to you guys or not, but I just joined this facebook group called jQuery Awe$ome and I bet they’d love to have people as enthusiastic about it as you are in there. It’s been useful to me for tips and stuff. Anyway, heres the link:

    http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=10150090669430508

    PS: I so want that book! :)

  • http://www.JeremyBuff.com Jeremy Buff

    jQuery has allowed me to quickly and inexpensively add an interactive touch to my websites.

  • Jose

    jquery brings dead websites to life.
    i don’t need to limit functionality and depend on flash programmers and the like. jquery rocks. so do the kind souls who share their jquery scripts and make life easier for lesser mortals

  • Jose Trujillo

    Convenience, ease of use, practical, efficient, economical, versatile usage, etc, etc and the list goes on… JQuery has it all…winning the book would be icing on a great cake!

  • http://www.sintab.it A Frittella

    I discovered this amazing framework and I need a good book… :)

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  • http://blog.insicdesigns.com insic

    I want this book. But I need to be lucky. :)

  • http://www.myboni.co.cc Boni

    JQuery is one of interesting script to developed an attractive website.

    Give me one, this must be a good book. :)

  • Cindy

    jQuery has helped me improve my web development projects by providing interactivity previously only available through abusive coding or Flash. Example: lightbox, – giving the ability to show a larger shot of a product upon click. Menus, photo galleries, positioned tooltips, layout corrections, and pop-ups just to mention a few. It comes in a compact library and is easy to use. Operates in all browsers I code for. ….. Designer friendly :)

  • http://www.identitypremium.com Vladimir

    Thanks Spekyboy! First of all let me thank you personally for FANTASTIC POST EVERY WEEK – I enjoy reading them. For the book – sice I learned to use jQuery y number of clients simply incresed. Clent are so happy with mit and they always come back for more. Php, I do not know very well but I would’ve honored to get not only written book – but s Great Recommendation and yet better Writtings book. I hpe tis is the one

  • http://tutorial-city.net Tutorial City

    jQuery helped me to achieve things I could never do with raw javascript, so it’s really useful to me on my projects! ;)

  • http://www.identitypremium.com Vladimir Dj.

    Since show of jQuery and me learning it everething was so smooth all the way just beffore februaary when clien ask me do make samething mlike AJAX – phP Slider but much harder then regular jWQuery. In my word, making that “thing” I started to explore jQuery at some points that I couldn’t belive how great it is and how intreting ccan be, it took my breath away. I’m really eciting learnong new – updated and advanced styles coz it just makes everything better and easier. Thanks – this book will just put me on a strait, wright path in my explori ng

  • http://www.falzhobel.ca Guillaume

    Jquery simply made me want to use javascript on my sites again!

  • Jerry bernard

    This would be a great opportunity to start learning Jquery

  • http://weflow.com.br Felipe Simões

    JQuery have reduced the production time of several applications of javascript!

  • http://revestido.com.ar Leandro Revestido

    i wanna win this book, i will enjoy learning this

  • http://www.readandtellme.com Amy Curran

    I am just learning jQuery. I would love this book.

  • http://www.manicho.com manicgo

    Write Less, Do More

  • Tsega

    I was the person to introduce jQuery to projects undertaken by our company, which happens to be the #1 Software development company here in Ethiopia.

    I can say that most of my colleagues look to me for help concerning jQuery, and I feel like I need to give them something new, something fresh, I need to acquire some new skills learn ways to do things better, with less code.

    I love jQuery, I have been using it for a while now but I feel like I need to contribute to the project so I need this book to learn how to do that as well.

  • http://uk.linkedin.com/in/robertjnicholson Robert Nicholson

    Jquery… what to say? the concept is great, and has no doubt furthered web development greatly. From an inhouse perspective it greatly increases the design options available to us at short notice! Long live jquery!

  • http://www.blizzard.gr Sotiris K.

    Oh it would be GREAT to have a reference guide to jQuery! Thank you so much for this generous offer!

  • http://www.iliketomakestuff.com Bob

    I’m loving jQuery.. not sure why it took me so long to start using it, but it’s a fantastic tool!

  • http://www.myboni.co.cc Boni

    When the winner will be announced?

  • Nik

    I would love this book! Not only because I want to learn JQ better and can’t afford the book right now…but because I personally know the authors! :)

  • http://www.funkdubrecords.com Funkdub-3DJ

    jQuery Saved My Soul!

  • http://dapperdeveloping.com Kevin

    I love jQuery!

  • Samuel Nilsson

    When and where will the winner be announced?

  • Micropoint

    Yeah, flash is dead \o/
    jQuery is very effective

  • Eric

    I’m not ready to change the world yet, but I think with the start I got using the 1.3 book, I could.

    Thanks!

  • http://thestatebird.com Eric

    jQuery was a game-changer for me. Diverse, powerful – site development now takes a fraction of the time it used to.

  • Surasin T

    I very hate Javascript. It is like nightmate when I have to work on it.

    But I very love Jquery. easy and power full.

    but I can say I do not like its document on its website. If it has better document, it will be perfect.

  • knico

    Unfortunately I don’t know jQury but I think it’s time to start learning. This book will do for me!

  • eric M

    thats the book I need. Thank You.

  • khalid

    This book is, for me, an easier way to learn jquery than online tuts and articles.

  • sajay

    am starter with jquery..i heard this book is fantastic…Looking forward to it

  • http://noozealand.co.nz Todd Welling

    If “jQuery” saved your life, and got you back with your ex-wife… sing “jQuery”.

    jQuery saved my marriage. My wife was getting terminally frustrated with me headbutting my keyboard and trying to turn my monitor into a bracelet.

    And when 1.5 comes out, I can use this book to raise my monitor by 2 inches ;0)

  • Syed

    I am trying my hands on jquery and even apart from it’s apparent simplicity I am facing some problem on my local machine. Will try to find what the problem is if have this book.

  • mai medhat

    i am using jquery a year ago in every web application in the company i work in. i used a lot of its features. also i did a presentation in my company on how to use ajax with jquery’s help and how it made everything much easier. Also i used the jquery ui and jquery tools (tabs and scrollable). i modified in the jquery scrollable to support arabic plus supporting variable width items. also, to minify the size of jquery needed in any application, i built versions from http://github.com/jquery/jquery
    according to our needs.
    i very much in need for this book to understand everything in jquery quiet well.
    there is really a lot more to talk about jquery… :)
    Thanks,

  • Joe B

    My recent use of jQuery along with Ajax has dramatically improved my ability to do client side development. My web pages are much more efficient and they are easier to create. The jQuery library offers so much that a web developer can use to easily incorporate javascript. This book would be a welcome reference guide in my library.

  • Youssef

    JQuery has me to reduce the time of production and give more interactivity in my web applications

  • Shekhar

    jQuery has help me in making my application faster and more responsive by providing browser independent ajax and dom manipulation capabilities, so i was in position to concentrate on business logic not on silly browser hacks.

    I want depth knowledge of its working so that i will be in position to use customized plug-in and jQuery UI to enhance Web responsiveness.

  • http://vamsisubhash.co.cc Vamsi Subhash

    JQuery has made the life easier to me. No longer do we need to use the “getElementById” thing and make the website even more richer with less code.
    Plus the plugins are great.

  • http://thesmartestguyintheuniverse.com/ The Smartest Guy in the Universe

    jQueryis’ plugins are great and I use them on almost every web project.