-- TomMuch of the web counts on JavaScript for its interactivity and for many years it was difficult to write. Browser inconsistencies and complicated code made even advanced coders grimmace. JavaScript frameworks, such as Prototype, jQuery and MooTools have taken much of the pain away.
These frameworks sit on top of JavaScript and make common tasks a whole lot easier. Prototype is the granddaddy of JavaScript frameworks. It was the first to gain wide popularity, probably due to its pairing with the Ruby on Rails server-side programming framework.
In this tutorial, I'll provide an introduction to the Prototype way of writing JavaScript. We'll find objects on the page in various ways and manipulate them. You'll still be writing JavaScript, but in an abbreviated form using Prototype shorthand. The best part is the stuff that caused the headaches--like the differences in browser implementations--is taken care of for you.
Let's get started learning Prototype and writing shorter, hassle-free JavaScript.
