Press releases

Canvas Pocket Reference: Scripted Graphics for HTML5--New from O'Reilly

Press release: December 14, 2010

Canvas Pocket Reference

Request Review copy

Sebastopol, CA—The Canvas element is a revolutionary feature of HTML5 that enables powerful graphics for rich Internet applications, and this pocket reference provides the essentials you need to put this element to work. If you have working knowledge of JavaScript, Canvas Pocket Reference (O'Reilly Media, $12.99 USD) will help you create detailed, interactive, and animated graphics—from charts to animations to video games—whether you're a web designer or a programmer interested in graphics.

"The Canvas tag is a revolutionary advance in what we can do with web browsers," says author David Flanagan. "I really do think that the client-side graphics enabled by the Canvas tag has the potential to change the web. The Canvas tag is one of the most important features of HTML5. And, it's fun to program!"

"Readers will learn everything they need to know about scripted client-side graphics and will be able to draw whatever they want in their web pages: this might be scientific data visualizations, a video game, or cool special effects. In short, readers will learn to master their pixels!"

This book provides both a tutorial that covers all of the element's features with plenty of examples and a definitive reference to each of the Canvas-related classes, methods, and properties.

You'll learn how to:

  • Draw lines, polygons, and curves
  • Apply colors, gradients, patterns, and transparency
  • Use transformations to smoothly rotate and resize drawings
  • Work with text in a graphic environment
  • Apply shadows to create a sense of depth
  • Incorporate bitmapped images into vector graphics
  • Perform image processing operations in JavaScript

"The Canvas tag," Flanagan promises, "makes web programming fun again."

Speaking of fun, try David's holiday bookmarklet, a marvelous example of splendid Canvas coding.

For a review copy or more information please email gretchen@oreilly.com. Please include your delivery address and contact information.

About the Author

David Flanagan is a computer programmer who spends most of his time writing about JavaScript and Java. His books with O'Reilly include JavaScript: The Definitive Guide, JavaScript Pocket Reference, Java in a Nutshell, Java Examples in a Nutshell, and Java Foundation Classes in a Nutshell. David has a blog at www.davidflanagan.com.

View David Flanagan's full profile page.

Additional Resources
For more information about the book, including table of contents, author bios, and cover graphic, see: http://oreilly.com/catalog/0636920016045

Canvas Pocket Reference Canvas Pocket Reference
Publisher: O'Reilly Media
By David Flanagan
Print ISBN: 9781449396800   Ebook ISBN: 9781449397197  
Pages: 112
Print Price: $12.99   Ebook Price: $10.99  
order@oreilly.com
1-800-998-9938
1-707-827-7000

Request Review copy

About O’Reilly

O’Reilly Media spreads the knowledge of innovators through its books, online services, magazines, and conferences. Since 1978, O’Reilly Media has been a chronicler and catalyst of cutting-edge development, homing in on the technology trends that really matter and spurring their adoption by amplifying “faint signals” from the alpha geeks who are creating the future. An active participant in the technology community, the company has a long history of advocacy, meme-making, and evangelism.

Email a link to this press release