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From the editor's desk:Building a Head First Learning Community
Here at Head First, we get excited about learning. And we want to share that passion with you. Now we realize that when you pick up a tech book, or a math textbook, or a project management guide, you're probably doing so because you have to, whether to acquire new skills for the job, the smarts to ace a certification exam, or the tools to get your web site up and running. But we also know that learning doesn’t have to be just a means to an end, that the learner’s journey can be just as pleasurable as arriving at the destination. You can read up on the Factory Pattern while flipping pies at Objectville Pizza. You can Segway the USA as you discover how to add markup to your web page.  Learning and fun aren’t mutually exclusive; in fact, we believe having fun is an essential component of effective learning. And we want to spread the word!
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Head First JavaScript:Sneak Preview
So you're ready to make the leap from writing HTML and CSS web pages to creating dynamic web applications. You want to take your web skills to the next level. And you're finally ready to add "programmer" to the resume.  It sounds like you're ready to learn the Web's hottest programming language: JavaScript. Head First JavaScript is your ticket to going beyond copying and pasting the code from someone else's web site, and writing your own interactive web pages.
This never-before-seen excerpt explains identifiers.
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Software Collaborators:An interview with Dan Pilone and Russ Miles
We chatted with Dan Pilone and Russ Miles, authors of the upcoming Head First Software Development, and asked them how their book reflects their industry experience.
 What are the most common challenges for beginning software developers?
Dan: Making the transition from a hobbyist developer to a full-time, professional developer with a sense of ownership of the project. Coding by yourself at home late into the night is one thing. Working on a team with mixed skill levels and real-world deadlines is very different. You can't lose the fun and satisfaction you get from coding, but you need to figure out how to do it in a way that pays well.
Russ: Number 1 for me would be just figuring out what software development really produces. What's the goal? When you're in a regular academic environment the emphasis is usually on learning syntax, learning programming constructs, and different approaches—all of this set within the sandbox that is undergraduate academic learning. However, what that training gives you is a slightly false sense of security.
When you hit real-world software development, the game changes. At that point it is all about being productive, being professional and being proud enough to stand by your coding decisions while being wise enough to realize that there are still a great many things to learn.
For me, that rough transition from insular academic sandbox to real world software development, where you work in a team to build something that real users will actually use, is the toughest point in a developer's career.
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The Home Stretch: Head First C#
It's almost here! Head First C# is scheduled to hit the shelves at the end of November. Our authors, editors, and technical reviewers are working overtime to make it the best C# book out there. Stay tuned to the November newsletter for an exclusive discount on your copy!
preorder Head First C#
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