Summary

The Window object is probably the most important object in JavaScript beyond the Document itself. Using this object, you can create and destroy general windows as well as a variety of special-purpose windows such as dialog boxes. It is also possible to manipulate the characteristics of windows using JavaScript and even have windows control each other. The key to this is correct naming, for once the window in question is found, it can be manipulated with any of the common Document methods. Frames were shown to be a special form of window object and their correct usage was also very much related to their name. While the Window object is common to all JavaScript-aware browsers, we see that it also has the most inconsistencies. Many of the new Window properties and methods introduced by Microsoft will likely make their way to the standards, but for now programmers should be cautious in their use. The next chapter returns to the contents of windows, and discusses both traditional and DOM-oriented document manipulation in practice.