Backbone.js Essentials

Build amazing high-performance web applications using Backbone.js

About This Book

• Construct top-notch web applications by mastering the powerful tools provided by Backbone.js
• Gain insights into how to simplify data management and create single-page web applications with powerful user interfaces
• This is a fast-paced guide on how to test, document, and leverage third-party libraries, and helps you get the most out of Backbone.js

Who This Book Is For

If you are a developer with baseline JavaScript proficiency and are familiar with the jQuery library, then this book is ideal for you. Whether you’ve tried building complex web applications before and been frustrated by the challenge of doing so without the proper tools, or whether you’ve only built simple websites and are now looking to create full-featured web applications, this book has everything you need to get ahead of the curve.

In Detail

This book offers insight into creating and maintaining dynamic Backbone.js web applications. It delves into the the fundamentals of Backbone.js and helps you achieve mastery of the Backbone library.

Starting with Models and Collections, you’ll learn how to simplify client-side data management and easily transmit data to and from your server. Next, you’ll learn to use Views and Routers to facilitate DOM manipulation and URL control so that your visitors can navigate your entire site without ever leaving the first HTML page. Finally, you’ll learn how to combine those building blocks with other tools to achieve high-performance, testable, and maintainable web applications.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1. Building a Single-Page Site Using Backbone
Chapter 2. Object-Oriented JavaScript with Backbone Classes
Chapter 3. Accessing Server Data with Models
Chapter 4. Organizing Models with Collections
Chapter 404s and other errors
Chapter 5. Adding and Modifying Elements with Views
Chapter 6. Creating Client-side Pages with Routers
Chapter 7. Fitting Square Pegs in Round Holes – Advanced Backbone Techniques
Chapter 8. Scaling Up – Ensuring Performance in Complex Applications
Chapter 9. What Was I Thinking? Documenting Backbone Code
Chapter 10. Keeping the Bugs Out – How to Test a Backbone Application
Chapter 11. (Not) Re-Inventing the Wheel – Utilizing Third-Party Libraries
Chapter 12. Summary and Further Reading