The Top Resources Available to Help Developers Learn Backbone.js

pikwizard-298c5c922a9765c9441744cbbd8965c0
photo by People Creations

With so many JavaScript frameworks available today, it’s not always easy to gauge which one will be the best option for you to master and which is going to help you to advance your career. As Backbone.js is a modest JavaScript framework, it’s often a good place to start.

What is Backbone.js and Why Is It Important?

Backbone.js is a tool that is used to create models for organizing data structures in applications. It can be used as a model-view-controller (MVC) or a model-view-view-model (MVVM) because the controller isn’t compulsory. It is lightweight, has ample API functions, and often used to develop single-page web applications.

This framework is important for developers to be able to synchronize various parts of the web applications as well as its ability to structure data and to connect multiple clients through various devices.

Resources to Help You Learn Backbone.js

  1. DocumentCloud

DocumentCloud is a web-based software platform that was originally developed for journalists to enable document search, annotation, and publication. As the creators of Backbone’s open-source project, it has a great range of tutorials and use-cases plus further resources on GitHub.

  1. Backbone Tutorials

This is a good site for text and video tutorials. Some of the topics include models and modules, collections, and views to name a few. It’s also helpful if you want to see different Backbone.js projects.

  1. Code School

You can create a free account with Code School and take advantage of a full video course related to Backbone for complex web applications. There are 7, in-depth levels. In each level, you can watch a video tutorial before practicing with code challenges.

  1. PluralSight

This course is called Backbone.js Fundamentals and lasts for almost 5 hours. Learners understand how to get the most out of Backbone components and it is packed with information on models, views, templates, routing, connecting to a server, testing, and more. PluralSight also has a blog, customer stories, and webinars.

  1. js Cookbook

We liked the recipe style step-by-step guides to a number of potential problems you might come across. Aside from the usual topics, you can also find chapters on binding a model to a DOM element and how to integrate third-party libraries, and examples of Backbone.js.

  1. Udemy

Udemy is often considered one of the best online platforms for technology tutorials and it has one of the most complete Backbone.js around. There are 61 lectures in the video course and is aimed at everyone from beginner to advanced. You will be able to learn how to write JavaScript code with Backbone and how to create single-page and client apps.

  1. Tutsplus

The ‘Getting to Know Backbone.js’ is a series of tutorials that focus on building a contacts manager using Backbone. It is text-based which some prefer if they wish to learn at their own pace. Users can learn about adding and removing models, adding routers, using events, and rendering views, and all of the texts are clearly explained.

  1. O’Reilly

O’Reilly Media has a whole host of resources from study guides to articles and conferences. You can find some really good e-books, for example, Backbone.js Essentials, Developing Backbone.js Applications, and Backbone.js Testing, all from well-known authors.

  1. Code Project

There is no need to register or create an account to benefit from this Backbone tutorial. There are 8 parts from everything from the basics of Backbone models to CRUD Operations and the HTTP REST service. Just click on the part you want to learn about and scroll through the text and code snippets.

  1. Lynda.com

There is one Backbone.js course and 23 tutorial videos on Lynda.com. You will be able to learn how to maintain neat Backbone code and there is a significant amount of information regarding frontend development. There is a free one-month trial and you can create notes and export them to go back over later.