JAVASCRIPT support in ePub2/ePub3

Raja1205 · 09-01-2012, 07:01 AM

Hi,

I think that "iBooks" supports (limited support) JAVASCRIPT in ePub format files.

My question is as follows:

I have created a sample ePub with the following functionality:
-------------------------------------------------------------------
By default, Image display shows partial portion of the original image (like thumbnail image) and displays the full and original image after clicking that image.
-------------------------------------------------------------------

For the above sample, if first 2 pages contain images that works well in "iBooks" properly (i.e Original image displayed after clicking that thumbnail image) and the rest of the pages (which contains images) displays default image properly but after clicking that default image, it shows only white background without original image.

Is it iBook's Issue or JAVASCRIPT issue? (All images displays properly in all browsers)

Kindly advise how to solve this problem. Also advise if some other method available for the similar functionality.

I have attached a sample epub for your reference and hope the favorable response.

Thanks,
Raja. S

Toxaris · 09-01-2012, 11:36 AM

Please be aware that javascript is not supported in ePUB2. iBooks might be able to work, but it is not a valid ePUB.

mrmikel · 09-01-2012, 06:53 PM

The pictures can simply be linked to and from without using Javascript. I seem to recall you can't use a picture to link with, but you could certainly link using a caption.

Raja1205 · 09-03-2012, 03:24 AM

Hi Toxaris,

For your kind information,

From 'iBookstoreAssetGuide 4.8' - at page. 28:

---------------------------------------------
Note: iBooks supports scripting within version 2 EPUBs. iBooks does not support EPUB 3 at this time.
---------------------------------------------

Thanks,
Raja. S

Toxaris · 09-03-2012, 04:14 AM

Yes, like I said iBooks supports Javascript. However, javascript is NOT ePUB2 specification. So, if Javascript is in an ePUB2, it is not a valid ePUB.
Please be aware that if an ePUB works in iBooks it is not a garantuee that it is valid. Apple seriously crippled the ePUB format in iBooks.

Raja1205 · 09-03-2012, 06:06 AM

No, 'iBookstoreAssetGuide 4.8' - at page. 28" states that iBooks supports Javascript within ePUB2 version and it's a valid ePUB. However, javascript is NOT ePUB2 specification.

DiapDealer · 09-03-2012, 06:22 AM

Semantics.

mrmikel · 09-03-2012, 06:48 AM

Including stuff that is not part of the specification can cause problems if someone tries to read the book in something other than an ibook. You could have extra blank spaces in the text, valid commands surrounding it that are ignored or other odd thing when you put in commands not part of the spec.
If it will always stay on ibooks, you can get away with it....until your boss tells you to make it accessible to a different device and you get to redo the whole thing!

09-03-2012, 06:06 AM	#6
Raja1205 Member Posts: 18 Karma: 10 Join Date: Apr 2012 Device: none	No, 'iBookstoreAssetGuide 4.8' - at page. 28" states that iBooks supports Javascript within ePUB2 version and it's a valid ePUB. However, javascript is NOT ePUB2 specification. Last edited by Raja1205; 09-03-2012 at 06:17 AM.

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09-01-2012, 11:36 AM	#2
Toxaris Wizard Posts: 4,520 Karma: 121692313 Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Heemskerk, NL Device: PRS-T1, Kobo Touch, Kobo Aura	Please be aware that javascript is not supported in ePUB2. iBooks might be able to work, but it is not a valid ePUB.

09-01-2012, 06:53 PM	#3
mrmikel Color me gone Posts: 2,089 Karma: 1445295 Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Central Oregon Coast Device: PRS-300	The pictures can simply be linked to and from without using Javascript. I seem to recall you can't use a picture to link with, but you could certainly link using a caption.

09-03-2012, 03:24 AM	#4
Raja1205 Member Posts: 18 Karma: 10 Join Date: Apr 2012 Device: none	Hi Toxaris, For your kind information, From 'iBookstoreAssetGuide 4.8' - at page. 28: --------------------------------------------- Note: iBooks supports scripting within version 2 EPUBs. iBooks does not support EPUB 3 at this time. --------------------------------------------- Thanks, Raja. S

09-03-2012, 04:14 AM	#5
Toxaris Wizard Posts: 4,520 Karma: 121692313 Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Heemskerk, NL Device: PRS-T1, Kobo Touch, Kobo Aura	Yes, like I said iBooks supports Javascript. However, javascript is NOT ePUB2 specification. So, if Javascript is in an ePUB2, it is not a valid ePUB. Please be aware that if an ePUB works in iBooks it is not a garantuee that it is valid. Apple seriously crippled the ePUB format in iBooks.

09-03-2012, 06:22 AM	#7
DiapDealer Grand Sorcerer Posts: 27,549 Karma: 193191846 Join Date: Jan 2010 Device: Nexus 7, Kindle Fire HD	Semantics.

09-03-2012, 06:48 AM	#8
mrmikel Color me gone Posts: 2,089 Karma: 1445295 Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Central Oregon Coast Device: PRS-300	Including stuff that is not part of the specification can cause problems if someone tries to read the book in something other than an ibook. You could have extra blank spaces in the text, valid commands surrounding it that are ignored or other odd thing when you put in commands not part of the spec. If it will always stay on ibooks, you can get away with it....until your boss tells you to make it accessible to a different device and you get to redo the whole thing!