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Here, we'll be running the first three parts of a five-day tutorial that aims to get you writing useful JavaScripts immediately. And not just silly JavaScripts - this tutorial will teach you how to build the browser of your dreams. As we go through the examples in the course, you will build a fancier and fancier browser that you can tweak to your heart's content. Tweaking is the Webmonkey way, after all.

Before we jump in, here are few important things to note about JavaScript and this tutorial.

First, JavaScript  is not Java

Second, sometimes JavaScript isn't JavaScript! It turns out that different browsers deal with JavaScript differently. In fact, different versions of the same browser handle JavaScript differently. As is the case with most JavaScript tutorials, this tutorial is written taking Netscape 3.0 as the standard. Incompatibilities with other browsers will be pointed out as they come along. If you don't have Netscape 3.0, you might want to download it before trying the examples.

Third, this tutorial is not a substitute for a good reference book. JavaScript is very rich, and although you'll learn most of the grammar of JavaScript here, you won't learn the entire language. So, if you like what you've learned here and are serious about writing your own JavaScripts, go out and get a book. Whatever book you get should have an extensive reference section. I suggest JavaScript: The Definitive Guide by David Flanagan, published by O'Reilly & Associates. Not only is the reference section complete, it also does a good job of telling you what works on different browser versions.

Fourth, view source! The best way to learn JavaScript is to look at scripts other people have written. JavaScript, just like HTML, can be viewed by selecting View Source on your browser. Do it frequently!

Finally, as with HTML, the best way to learn JavaScript is to experiment freely and often. At several places in this tutorial, you'll be given the opportunity to try things out. Don't be afraid to expand beyond the exercise to try new things.