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Chapter 2: Variables, Functions, Objects, and Events. JavaScript - Introductory. Previewing the NorthAmericaImageMap.html File. Section A: Working with Variables, Functions, and Events. Objectives. In this section, you will learn how to: Declare and use variables Define functions
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Chapter 2: Variables, Functions, Objects, and Events JavaScript - Introductory
Section A: Working with Variables, Functions, and Events
Objectives • In this section, you will learn how to: • Declare and use variables • Define functions • Call functions • Use JavaScript objects • Use object inheritance and prototypes • Use object methods • About variable scope
Variables • Values stored in computer memory locations are called variables • In JavaScript, use the reserved keyword var to create variables • Reserved words, or keywords, are part of the JavaScript syntax • Reserved words cannot be used for variable names • When you use the reserved word var to create a variable, you declare the variable
Variables • You can declare multiple variables in the same statement using a single var keyword followed by a series of variable names and assigned values separated by commas • The name assigned to a variable is an identifier • Identifiers must begin with an uppercase or lowercase ASCII letter (ex. ($) or (_) • Reserved words cannot be used for variable names, and there should be no spaces within a variable name
Variables • Common practices in variable names: • Use an (_) to separate individual words • Use a lowercase letter for the first letter of first word • Variable names, like other JavaScript code, are case-sensitive
Defining Functions • A function allows you to treat a related group of JavaScript statements as a single unit • Lines that compose a function within an HTML document are called the function definition • The syntax for defining a function is: function name_of_function (parameters) { statements; } • A parameter, or argument, is a variable that will be used within a function
Function Definitions - Three Parts • 1. The reserved word function followed by the function name. The reserved word function notifies the JavaScript interpreter that the code following is a function. As with variables,the name assigned to a function is called an identifier. The same rules and conventions that apply to variable names, apply to function names • 2. Any parameters required by the function are contained within parentheses following the function name • 3. The function’s statements, enclosed in curly braces { }
Calling Functions • A function definition does not execute automatically • To execute a function, you must invoke, or call, it from elsewhere in the program • Sending variables or values to a called function’s arguments is called passing arguments • You are not required to return a value from a function • Using unique names to identify specific variables makes it easier to understand a program’s logic and assist in the debugging process
Output of the JavaScript Function Being Called from the <BODY> Section
Calling Functions • When a function performs a calculation such as an average, normally it wants to receive a return value
Understanding JavaScript Objects • Objects are based on classes • Data, procedures, and other attributes are contained in a structure known as a class • A function that is used as the basis for an object is called an object definition, or constructor function • A constructor function is more like a template on which an object is based than a class • Property is a variable within a constructor function
Understanding JavaScript Objects • A method is a function - whether a built-in JavaScript function or a function you create - that is called from within an object • Properties are also called fields • Class names in traditional object-oriented programming languages usually begin with an uppercase letter • Objects are created from constructor functions using the new keyword • Object now has three properties: type, sound, and transport_mode
Object Inheritance • Objects inherit the properties and methods of the constructor functions from which they are instantiated • Constructor functions do not require arguments • A prototype property is a built-in property that specifies the constructor from which an object was extended • Object definitions can extend other object definitions • JavaScript, however, only allows objects to inherit from a single object definition
Object Methods • Object methods are functions associated with a particular object • The methodName following the this reference is the name that is being assigned to the function within the object • After you instantiate an object based on object definition, call the object’s methods by adding a period
Variable Scope • Variable scope refers to where in your program a declared variable can be used • A variable’s scope can be either global or local • Global variable is one that is declared outside of a function and available to all parts of the program • Local variable is declared inside a function and is only available within the function • The arguments within the parentheses of a function declaration are considered to be local variables • To declare a global variable, the use of the var keyword is optional
Section A: Chapter Summary • The values stored in computer memory locations are called variables • Use the reserved word var to declare a variable • Words that are part of JavaScript language syntax are called reserved words or keywords • Before you can use a function in JavaScript program, first create, or define, the function • A parameter, or argument, is a variable that will be used within a function
Section A: Chapter Summary • Sending variables or values to a called function’s arguments is called passing arguments • To return a value, include the return statement within the called function • Two types of elements are found within constructor functions: properties and methods • The this keyword refers to the current object that called the constructor function • Object definitions can extend other object definitions
Section A: Chapter Summary • The prototype property is a built-in property that specifies the constructor from which an object was extended • Object methods are essentially functions associated with a particular object • The syntax for calling an object method is objectiveName.methodName (arguments); • Variable scope refers to where in your program a declared variable can be used
Section B: Using Events
Objectives • In this section, you will learn: • About events • About HTML tags and events • How to use event handlers • About links • How to use link events • How to create an image map
Understanding Events • One way JavaScript makes HTML documents dynamic is through events • An event is a specific circumstance that is monitored by JavaScript • Most common events are actions that users take
HTML Tags and Events • Most commonly used HTML tag that allows users to generate events is the <INPUT> tag • The <INPUT> tag creates input fields that interact with users • The <INPUT> tag has a number of attributes, including the TYPE attribute • Unlike most HTML code, the NAME attribute is case-sensitive
Event Handlers • When an event occurs, a program executes JavaScript code that responds to the event • Code that executes in response to a specific event is called an event handler • Event handler names are the same as the name of the event itself • JavaScript code for event handler is contained within quotation marks following the name of the JavaScript event handler • JavaScript alert()method displays a pop up dialog box with an OK button
Event Handlers • The prompt()method displays a dialog box with a message, a text box, an OK button, and a Cancel button
Links • HTML documents contain hypertext links • The text or image used to represent a link in an HTML document is called an anchor • An anchor uses the Uniform Resource Locator (URL) to specify the name and location of an HTML document • Absolute URL refers to a specific drive and directory or to the full Web address of an HTML document <A HREF+”http://www.MyWebSite.com/index.html”>My Web Site</A>)
The <SCRIPT> Tag • A relative URL specifies the location of a file according to the location of the currently loaded HTML document • Relative URLs are used to load HTML documents located on the same computer as the currently displayed HTML document
Link Events • Primary event used with links is the click event • A value of true indicates that you want the Web browser to continue and open the URL referenced by the link • A value of false indicates that you do not want the Web browser to open the link • The confirmed()method displays a dialog box that contains a Cancel button and an OK button • MouseOver event occurs when the mouse is moved over a link
To Create a JavaScript Document • Start your text editor or HTML editor and create a new document • Type <PRE> to start a preformatted text container • Press Enter and type <SCRIPT LANGUAGE=“JavaScript1.2”> to begin the JavaScript document • Press Enter and type document.writeIn(“This is the first line in my JavaScript file.”); • Press Enter again and type document. writeIn(“This is the second line in my JavaScript file.”);
Creating an Image Map • An image map consists of an image that is divided into regions • Use the <IMG>, and <AREA> tags to create an image map on a Web page • A pixel (short for picture element) represents a single point on a computer screen • A VGA monitor contains 640 columns by 480 rows of pixels; Super VGA contains 1024 columns by 768 rows of pixels
Creating an Image Map • To create an image map,you must include the following tags on your Web page: • An <IMG> tag that contains an SRC attribute specifying name of image and a NAME attribute specifying the name of the <MAP>…</MAP> tag pair that contains mapping coordinates • A <MAP>…</MAP> tag pair including NAME attribute used by <IMG> tag • <AREA> tags within the <MAP>…</MAP> tag pair that identify coordinates within image recognized as hot zone
Creating an Image Map • Use the <AREA> tag to define a region as a hot zone on an image map, use the SHAPE attribute to specify the shape of region, and COORDS attribute to specify coordinates of shape’s pixels • The SHAPE attribute can be set to circle, rect (for rectangle), or poly (for polygon)
Section B: Chapter Summary • An event or trigger is a specific circumstance that is monitored by JavaScript • The <INPUT> tag, which is used for creating input fields that users interact with, generates events • An event handler name is the same as the name of the event itself, but with a prefix of on • The built-in JavaScript alert()method displays a pop up dialog box with an OK button • The prompt () method displays a dialog box with a message, a text box, a Cancel button, and an OK button
Section B: Chapter Summary • There are two types of URLs in an HTML document: absolute and relative • The confirm () method displays a dialog box with a message, a Cancel button, and an OK button • The MouseOver event occurs when the mouse is moved over a link • You can use the JavaScript status property to display custom messages in the status bar • You include the USEMAP attribute to use an image map with an image rendered by the <IMG> tag