Show HN: An e-book about integrating front end libraries (opens in new tab)

(maxoffsky.com)

38 pointsmsurguy11y ago12 comments

12 comments

I'm not exactly the target audience (pretty handy with the front-end already) but I do know a lot of back-end developers who would find immense value in this book. A lot of the help I provide to more back-end focused devs is along the same lines: "here's what we need to do - here's why - here's a library/tool that makes this easier". I've actually been thinking lately about writing a similar book. Kudos to the author for putting this out there!

msurguyOP11y ago

Thanks! I would really appreciate if you could point them to this book. Also if you have any tips for me reaching the target audience - feel free to voice your opinion here or on twitter - @msurguy

woah11y ago

I have no basis for saying this, but I feel like I wouldn't want to work on a app built by a developer who taught themselves frontend with this book.

The focus on "AJAX contact forms, AJAX file uploads, Avatar Cropping" in the blurb is odd. It sounds like you'll be getting a rundown on some handrolled jQuery stuff.

msurguyOP11y ago

Thanks for the tip. What's wrong with using jQuery? When you do the hiring are you looking for someone who takes up a couple months and rolls their own libraries or someone who can get the job done quickly by using existing open source projects? The AJAX file uploaders are super tricky, the one used in the book has a jQuery wrapper but can work without it, you'd only spend about 300% more time integrating it.

delluminatus11y ago

I think his point is more that it's typically easier and better to use preexisting contact form and file upload solutions, instead of writing your own (with jQuery or otherwise).

Personally I can see the benefit of banging out a form in jQuery instead of having to research and integrate another system, but something about the chapter summaries seem strange. It sounds like it's more about building custom front-end components than integrating different libraries (which is what I expected from the title).

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daok11y ago

I check rapidly the free sample and I found the use of Laravel framework to be irrelevant. All examples could have been done with simple Html and others front-end libraries. It will confuse novice people. Should have just focused on front end.

msurguyOP11y ago

Thanks for the feedback! The purpose of the book is to feature complete integration of various libraries and frameworks with a backend. Laravel is chosen as an example framework so that the developer can have a complete solution instead of just some theory.

In the prerequisites to the book it clearly states that novice developers will have a hard time unless they have some backend experience.

noir_lord11y ago

I like the approach you have taken, GP is wrong.

Seeing the integration with a back end (any backend tbh) is better.

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12 comments

notduncansmith11y ago

msurguyOP11y ago

Thanks! I would really appreciate if you could point them to this book. Also if you have any tips for me reaching the target audience - feel free to voice your opinion here or on twitter - @msurguy

woah11y ago

I have no basis for saying this, but I feel like I wouldn't want to work on a app built by a developer who taught themselves frontend with this book.

The focus on "AJAX contact forms, AJAX file uploads, Avatar Cropping" in the blurb is odd. It sounds like you'll be getting a rundown on some handrolled jQuery stuff.

msurguyOP11y ago

delluminatus11y ago

I think his point is more that it's typically easier and better to use preexisting contact form and file upload solutions, instead of writing your own (with jQuery or otherwise).

1 more reply

daok11y ago

msurguyOP11y ago

In the prerequisites to the book it clearly states that novice developers will have a hard time unless they have some backend experience.

noir_lord11y ago

I like the approach you have taken, GP is wrong.

Seeing the integration with a back end (any backend tbh) is better.

1 more reply

j / k navigate · click thread line to collapse