An Introduction to Programming in JavaScript: Stomping Zombies with Variables, Loops, Functions and More

You’ll understand the different types of variables available to you and how to create and utilize them for maximum damage to the undead.

We’ll discuss conditional statements (if/then statements) and talk about how to execute different code depending on whether something is true or not such as “There’s a zombie gnawing on your head!”

We’ll loop-dee-loop around the horde as we define and demonstrate the three kinds of JavaScript loops.

And finally, using functions and reusable code, we’ll land sucker punch after sucker punch after sucker punch on every zombie shuffling toward you.

While this book presents these concepts using JavaScript syntax and information, nearly all of the concepts are universal to programming languages everywhere.

So come along for a jaunt through the apocalypse and stock your armory with plenty of programming tools and JavaScript finery. Next stop ending the apocalypse!

How You'll Learn to Smack Zombies Around

You won't just passively take in the view, like a zombie shuffling across the mainland. You’ll have plenty of combat practice with analogies, examples, and code tutorials you can build, break and fix again. Working with your hands and your head you’ll craft code that pleases the eye and knocks a zombie into last Tuesday.

All the code and directions are provided as both codepen tutorials and downloadable html files, so you can fight the apocalypse how and where you like. You can work with them on the codepen site or on your own device.

And later you'll bring those skills together in a final project that cements those skills into zombie smashing muscle memory.

Why Zombies?

Are zombies just a gimmick? Why would this be any better than a straight laced book that sticks to the facts?

Straight laced books are often straight boring. And if you have insomnia problems go buy that book. The author, John, has read the boring books and knows that staying awake and engaged are also important for learning. But this book uses zombie references and analogies not just to make you smile, but to help the material stick. If a tough technical concept is related in silly terms you understand, like a zombie trying to buy gum at a super market, it’s much more likely to stay in that brain those zombies are intent on eating.

Is this book for me?

We at the undead institute believe that getting braaains should be fun. While our definition of fun typically involves silly jokes, zombie references and learning ways to build great websites, not everyone agrees. If you’re looking for straight technical explanations without any wit or whimsy (or zombies) then these books probably aren’t for you. If you have an enormous technical background and no time for humor or apocalyptic analogies, then move along. There’s nothing for you to see here.

But if you like a good (or sometimes bad) joke, if you have little to no technical background or inclination but want to learn HTML, CSS and more, or if you’re a technology pro and prefer a spoonful of fun with your web development (zombie antidote) medicine, then these books were written for you, and these books will help you reach your web development goals.

There's no reason good learning can't live right alongside good fun. So grab your computer, grab your sense of humor and hit that buy button. We've got websites to build and zombies to smack.