Upgrade to Pro
— share decks privately, control downloads, hide ads and more …
Speaker Deck
Features
Speaker Deck
PRO
Sign in
Sign up for free
Search
Search
The Book Nerd's Guide to JavaScript
Search
Angus Croll
November 17, 2014
Technology
4.4k
14
Share
Embed
Copy iframe code
Copy JS code
Copy link
Start on current slide
The Book Nerd's Guide to JavaScript
Given at DotJS, Paris on 17th November 2014
Angus Croll
November 17, 2014
More Decks by Angus Croll
See All by Angus Croll
Stop being Perfect
anguscroll
11
1.7k
ES6 Uncensored
anguscroll
72
12k
Learning to Fly — Twitter Flight and Mixins
anguscroll
23
4.8k
JavaScript is Literature is JavaScript
anguscroll
21
3.6k
The Politics of JavaScript
anguscroll
122
23k
Parlez-Vous JavaScript
anguscroll
33
6.4k
Break all the Rulez
anguscroll
42
16k
How we Learned to Stop Worrying and Love JavaScript
anguscroll
90
22k
Other Decks in Technology
See All in Technology
国家プロジェクトを支える「さくらONE」 大規模LLM開発におけるGPU障害を乗り越えるクラスター運用戦略
gpuunite_official
0
260
2026-08-15 JAWS-UG 茨城 #16 Secrets ManagerにおけるSecret値の管理(Terraformの場合) / Secrets Manager Secrets
masasuzu
0
540
AIで変わるエンジニアの働き方(仮)
naoinaoi
0
450
AI時代のアウトプット――変わったこと、変わらないこと / Devsumi 2026 Kansai #devsumi
jnchito
0
520
【Aiming】共通基盤なのに「共通化しない」課金・認証基盤「LINK」が選び取ったシングルテナント戦略と運用の秘訣
saikeda
0
160
平文パスワードはログに“残り” ── 肝心の侵入は“痕跡すら残らない”
kuroneko13
0
120
強化学習「理論」入門
enakai00
3
3.6k
Go 1.27 の標準パッケージに uuid が入った!のでいろいろ喋る / go_127_std_go_uuid
convto
3
590
AI開発に用いられるHPC技術について
gpuunite_official
0
260
サイボウズ 開発本部採用ピッチ / Cybozu Engineer Recruit
cybozuinsideout
PRO
12
85k
Adding Right-to-Left support to your web application with CSS logical properties — Lessons from Redmine
vividtone
0
170
AWS Blocks が楽しい #ゆるWeb札幌
tacck
PRO
0
110
Featured
See All Featured
A Soul's Torment
seathinner
6
3.5k
Fireside Chat
paigeccino
42
4k
Bioeconomy Workshop: Dr. Julius Ecuru, Opportunities for a Bioeconomy in West Africa
akademiya2063
PRO
1
270
Navigating the moral maze — ethical principles for Al-driven product design
skipperchong
2
500
Designing Dashboards & Data Visualisations in Web Apps
destraynor
232
55k
CSS Pre-Processors: Stylus, Less & Sass
bermonpainter
360
30k
Prompt Engineering for Job Search
mfonobong
0
410
Neural Spatial Audio Processing for Sound Field Analysis and Control
skoyamalab
0
410
Code Reviewing Like a Champion
maltzj
528
40k
Docker and Python
trallard
47
4.1k
Exploring the relationship between traditional SERPs and Gen AI search
raygrieselhuber
PRO
2
4.2k
4 Signs Your Business is Dying
shpigford
187
23k
Transcript
A Book Nerd’s Guide to JavaScript @angustweets
None
Practical, Useful, Mind Numbingly Boring Nonsensical Work of Genius
What can Literature teach us about Programming?
Great literature is the creation of open minds As programmers
our focus can be very narrow
We’re encouraged to follow only one style…
Actual excerpts from: Google Style Guide AirBnb Style Guide JavaScript
Garden
None
None
We’re left with only one way to get from A
to B :(
None
None
Literature is about embracing the entire language
When programmers embrace the entire language we get choices…
None
None
"There are indeed many ways to do the same thing
in JS. That's one of the beauties of the language" - Peter van der Zee (@kuvos)
None
None
(at least until the JavaScript Police get here)
None
None
Perhaps most importantly…
…Open Minds keep JavaScript fun.
This one just follows The Good Parts These two learn
by experiment
As programmers we’re not encouraged to experiment
Yet experiment is what keeps JavaScript alive
“You need a lot of bad code to write good
code” - Substack (dotJS 2014)
‣ if(!!x) ‣ fn && fn() ‣ immediately invoked functions
‣ module pattern ‣ promises
None
I decided to take experiment to the next level…
None
Wait What?
Twenty Five Authors solving Five JavaScript Problems
Hemingway developed the Iceberg Theory
Here is Hemingway’s Iceberg Theory applied to JavaScript…
(weird shit) (Deceptively Familiar Syntax) (weird shit) JavaScript
(weird shit) JAVA!! (Deceptively Familiar Syntax) (weird shit) JavaScript
(weird shit) JAVA!! But Easier!! (Deceptively Familiar Syntax) (weird shit)
JavaScript
(weird shit) JAVA!! But Easier!! (Deceptively Familiar Syntax) (weird shit)
WTF? JavaScript
Generate Prime Numbers
None
// A succession of creatures mount the stairs;! // each
creature's stride exceeds that of its predecessor! var monstersAscendingAStaircase = function(numberOfSteps) {! var stairs = []; stepsUntrodden = [];! var largestGait = Math.sqrt(numberOfSteps);! for (var i = 2; i <= largestGait; i++) {! if (!stairs[i]) {! for (var j = i * i; j <= numberOfSteps; j += i) {! stairs[j] = 'stomp';! }! }! }! ! // Long-limbed monsters won't tread on prime numbered stairs.! for (var i = 2; i <= numberOfSteps; i++) {! if(!stairs[i]) {! stepsUntrodden.push(i);! }! }! ! // Here, then, is our answer.! return stepsUntrodden;! };!
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
11 12 13 14 2 3 Borges vs. Prime Numbers
None
function downTheRabbitHole(growThisBig) {! var theFullDeck = Array(growThisBig);! var theHatter =
Function('return this/4').call(2*2);! var theMarchHare = Boolean("The frumious Bandersnatch!");! ! var theVerdict = "the white rabbit".split(/the march hare/).slice(theHatter);! ! //into the pool of tears...! eval(theFullDeck.join("if (!theFullDeck[++theHatter]) {\! theMarchHare = 1;\! theVerdict.push(theHatter);\! " + theFullDeck.join("theFullDeck[++theMarchHare * theHatter]=true;") + "}")! );! ! return theVerdict;! }!
function downTheRabbitHole(growThisBig) {! var theFullDeck = Array(growThisBig);! var theHatter =
Function('return this/4').call(2*2);! var theMarchHare = Boolean("The frumious Bandersnatch!");! ! var theVerdict = "the white rabbit".split(/the march hare/).slice(theHatter);! ! //into the pool of tears...! eval(theFullDeck.join("if (!theFullDeck[++theHatter]) {\! theMarchHare = 1;\! theVerdict.push(theHatter);\! " + theFullDeck.join("theFullDeck[++theMarchHare * theHatter]=true;") + "}")! );! ! return theVerdict;! }!
function downTheRabbitHole(growThisBig) {! var theFullDeck = Array(growThisBig);! var theHatter =
Function('return this/4').call(2*2);! var theMarchHare = Boolean("The frumious Bandersnatch!");! ! var theVerdict = "the white rabbit".split(/the march hare/).slice(theHatter);! ! //into the pool of tears...! eval(theFullDeck.join("if (!theFullDeck[++theHatter]) {\! theMarchHare = 1;\! theVerdict.push(theHatter);\! " + theFullDeck.join("theFullDeck[++theMarchHare * theHatter]=true;") + "}")! );! ! return theVerdict;! }!
! new Array(5).join('A' + new Array(5).join('a'));! ! >! !
new Array(5).join("A" + new Array(5).join('a'));! ! > "AaaaaAaaaaAaaaaAaaaa"!
function downTheRabbitHole(growThisBig) {! var theFullDeck = Array(growThisBig);! var theHatter =
Function('return this/4').call(2*2);! var theMarchHare = Boolean("The frumious Bandersnatch!");! ! var theVerdict = "the white rabbit".split(/the march hare/).slice(theHatter);! ! //into the pool of tears...! eval(theFullDeck.join("if (!theFullDeck[++theHatter]) {\! theMarchHare = 1;\! theVerdict.push(theHatter);\! " + theFullDeck.join("theFullDeck[++theMarchHare * theHatter]=true;") + "}")! );! ! return theVerdict;! }!
eval(“if(!theFullDeck[++theHatter]){theMarchHare=1;theVerdict.push(theHatter);theFullDeck[+ +theMarchHare*theHatter]=true;theFullDeck[++theMarchHare*theHatter]=true;theFullDeck[+ +theMarchHare*theHatter]=true;theFullDeck[++theMarchHare*theHatter]=true;theFullDeck[+ +theMarchHare*theHatter]=true;theFullDeck[++theMarchHare*theHatter]=true;}if(!theFullDeck[+ +theHatter]){theMarchHare=1;theVerdict.push(theHatter);theFullDeck[+ +theMarchHare*theHatter]=true;theFullDeck[++theMarchHare*theHatter]=true;theFullDeck[+ +theMarchHare*theHatter]=true;theFullDeck[++theMarchHare*theHatter]=true;theFullDeck[+ +theMarchHare*theHatter]=true;theFullDeck[++theMarchHare*theHatter]=true;}if(!theFullDeck[+ +theHatter]){theMarchHare=1;theVerdict.push(theHatter);theFullDeck[+ +theMarchHare*theHatter]=true;theFullDeck[++theMarchHare*theHatter]=true;theFullDeck[+
+theMarchHare*theHatter]=true;theFullDeck[++theMarchHare*theHatter]=true;theFullDeck[+ +theMarchHare*theHatter]=true;theFullDeck[++theMarchHare*theHatter]=true;}if(!theFullDeck[+ +theHatter]){theMarchHare=1;theVerdict.push(theHatter);theFullDeck[+ +theMarchHare*theHatter]=true;theFullDeck[++theMarchHare*theHatter]=true;theFullDeck[+ +theMarchHare*theHatter]=true;theFullDeck[++theMarchHare*theHatter]=true;theFullDeck[+ +theMarchHare*theHatter]=true;theFullDeck[++theMarchHare*theHatter]=true;}if(!theFullDeck[+ +theHatter]){theMarchHare=1;theVerdict.push(theHatter);theFullDeck[+ +theMarchHare*theHatter]=true;theFullDeck[++theMarchHare*theHatter]=true;theFullDeck[+ +theMarchHare*theHatter]=true;theFullDeck[++theMarchHare*theHatter]=true;theFullDeck[+ +theMarchHare*theHatter]=true;theFullDeck[++theMarchHare*theHatter]=true;}if(!theFullDeck[+ +theHatter]){theMarchHare=1;theVerdict.push(theHatter);theFullDeck[+ +theMarchHare*theHatter]=true;theFullDeck[++theMarchHare*theHatter]=true;theFullDeck[+ +theMarchHare*theHatter]=true;theFullDeck[++theMarchHare*theHatter]=true;theFullDeck[+ +theMarchHare*theHatter]=true;theFullDeck[++theMarchHare*theHatter]=true;}”);!
eval(“if (!theFullDeck[++theHatter]) {! theMarchHare = 1;! theVerdict.push(theHatter);! theFullDeck[++theMarchHare * theHatter]
= true;! theFullDeck[++theMarchHare * theHatter] = true;! theFullDeck[++theMarchHare * theHatter] = true;! theFullDeck[++theMarchHare * theHatter] = true;! theFullDeck[++theMarchHare * theHatter] = true;! theFullDeck[++theMarchHare * theHatter] = true;! }! if (!theFullDeck[++theHatter]) {! theMarchHare = 1;! theVerdict.push(theHatter);! theFullDeck[++theMarchHare * theHatter] = true;! theFullDeck[++theMarchHare * theHatter] = true;! theFullDeck[++theMarchHare * theHatter] = true;! theFullDeck[++theMarchHare * theHatter] = true;! theFullDeck[++theMarchHare * theHatter] = true;! theFullDeck[++theMarchHare * theHatter] = true;! }! if (!theFullDeck[++theHatter]) {! theMarchHare = 1;!
Alice in Prime Numberland
Alice in Prime Numberland
Alice in Prime Numberland
Alice in Prime Numberland
Alice in Prime Numberland
Alice in Prime Numberland
Alice in Prime Numberland
Alice in Prime Numberland
Alice in Prime Numberland
Alice in Prime Numberland
Alice in Prime Numberland
So what did we learn?
Playing is Learning
Self-taught programmers are often the best programmers because they get
to make mistakes
Experiment, Play, Have Fun and Keep an Open Mind.
Fin, merci! @angustweets anguscroll.com/hemingway
Books: http://pixgood.com/classic-book-spines.html/ Montparnasse Tower: http://allparisguides.com Eiffel Tower: Yellow Monster: http://content.mycutegraphics.com/
Green Monster: http://wondersofdisney2.yolasite.com/ White Rabbit: http://www.clker.com/ Mad Hatter, March Hare: http://wondersofdisney2.yolasite.com/ Cow, tree, office buildings: clipartpanda.com/ Grass: imgarcade.com/ Lion cubs: https://www.flickr.com/photos/mbiddulph/6947067048/ Cheetah cubs: http://www.bhmpics.com/view-cheetah_cubs_playing-1920x1080.html/ ! Image credits