JavaScript libraries and tools for the web developer are increasing in complexity and availability. A new JavaScript developer may be confused when looking at the possibilities enabled by such libraries as AngularJS, Loadash, Q, AsyncJS, and so on. For the same reason, a skilled JavaScript developer may be enthusiastic when looking at the possibilities to continuously improve existing code with the help of asynchronous development, promises, and unit testing.

The book is a short presentation on JavaScript libraries and frameworks used in today’s web development. Knowledge of JavaScript is required in order to fully understand the book’s examples and techniques. It is ideally divided into three main topics: package manager with Node; building responsive and efficient user interfaces; and utilities for database access, asynchronous programming, and routing.

Some chapters deserve particular mention. The chapter devoted to AngularJS gives a very interesting and comprehensive starting point to begin learning Angular’s declarative development approach. Concepts like dependency injection, route resolution, and form validation are well described. On the other hand, chapters narrating data source connections (for both SQL and NoSQL schema) lack details on concepts such as impedance mismatch (for example, the technical difficulties encountered when a relational database management system (RDMBS) is used by an object-oriented language) or when describing the peculiarity of application design with NoSQL storage (for example, common pitfalls when enforcing a relational-like approach in document repositories). Understanding such concepts is crucial to creating robust and reusable JavaScript code.

It is worth noting that such an important topic as security is only considered when discussing Kraken, assuming the reader is fully aware of common attacks to websites and JavaScript programs.

The main purpose of the book is to provide an introduction to the several JavaScript tools widely used in modern web development. It introduces the concepts beyond each technique and tool, and provides pointers to further dig into the technology. The recommended audience for the book is skilled JavaScript developers interested in learning tools to improve the way they code.

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