What is jQuery?

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What is jQuery?

jQuery is an open-source JavaScript library that greatly simplifies the use of JavaScript on websites. Because it reduces numerous repetitive tasks requiring multiple lines of JavaScript code to methods that can be called with a single line of code, it is referred to as “write less, do more.” It works with a variety of browsers and is cross-platform.

If you want to learn or work on jQuery, you should have a basic knowledge of HTML, CSS and JavaScript. Although numerous JavaScript libraries are available, it is arguably the most versatile library available today that caters to the needs of both designers and developers. Many of the world’s largest online companies, including Google, Microsoft, IBM, and Netflix, use it. You will learn more about the library and its benefits in this article.

Benefits of Using It

As said earlier, it is a popular framework with a proven success of almost 15 years and many valuable features and benefits. It is easy to learn and use, making it an excellent choice for developers and designers. It is also highly extensible, allowing for customisations and additions. Finally, jQuery is supported by a vast community of developers, making it a reliable choice for any project. The following are the other benefits of using it.

  • It helps programmers and developers write JavaScript more quickly and easily.
  • Compatible with various browsers, the code can be used with them regardless of their features.
  • It reduces the number of lines of code needed to perform the most common JavaScript tasks.
  • It aids in preventing common browser errors.
  • It simplifies complicated tasks like event handling, animation, and Ajax interactions.
  • It has many built-in animation effects. Even better, it allows you to create unique animations using your desired CSS properties.
  • Even a complete programming beginner can get started with this library, thanks to the extensive documentation and tutorials available on the JQuery website.

Drawbacks You Should Know About

The jQuery library is enormous despite its lightweight nature. Running its commands requires the JavaScript file, which can be as little as 25–100KB, depending on the server. However, if you plan to host the JQuery script on your own web server, this could still put a strain on your web server and client computer.

Even though it is an extensive and impressive library, the amount of customisation you need for your website may limit its functionality, making using raw JavaScript necessary in certain situations. Because of its abstraction, jQuery makes learning and using JavaScript more difficult. Although it makes creating events easier for novices, more knowledge of JavaScript is needed to accomplish more complex tasks like DOM manipulation. 

The main drawback of jQuery is that it prevents backward compatibility. Since many published versions of the library exist, you must host and update the library on your own. These are some drawbacks you must deal with while using the library.

Why is JQuery Still the Top JS Library?

With its continued development, JQuery has established itself as the standard library for web development. The 3.5.1 version of the library was a significant improvement that strengthened its position. It fixed bugs, improved security, and ensured that JQuery remained relevant in the constantly changing web environment. It remains the most popular JavaScript library. What appeals to developers so much? Let’s examine the factors that contribute to its appeal.

  • Strong Community Support and Developer Preference
  • Developer Efficiency
  • Adaptability and Ease of Use
  • Examples from Real Life

1. Strong Community Support and Developer Preference

The developer community’s support is one factor contributing to jQuery’s continued dominance as the most popular JavaScript library. This community’s strong support makes sure that jQuery is current and relevant. Its vibrant community is always willing to help and share its knowledge on sites like Stack Overflow, GitHub, and specialised blogs and forums. This priceless, free assistance is quite helpful for inexperienced developers working on initial projects.

2. Developer Efficiency

jQuery significantly reduces the quantity of code that developers write, as said above. Getting rid of boilerplate allows you to focus exclusively on the logic specific to the project, which is what you want to accomplish. In this way, you are able to increase uninterrupted development time and complete tasks more efficiently while maintaining clean code throughout the development process. Time is money, as they say, and your customers will save money with this strategy.

3. Adaptability and Ease of Use

Numerous features are available with jQuery, such as event handling, DOM manipulation, support for AJAX, and animation abilities. As a result, developers can accomplish more with less work, increasing productivity and efficiency. Another benefit of jQuery is its ease of use. 

JavaScript offers an interface for carrying out tasks by abstracting away a lot of its complexity. Because of this feature, it is an excellent place for beginners to start while still being a valuable tool for experienced developers.

4. Examples from Real Life

There are some compelling examples of JQuery being used in real-world situations. Watching its application in action highlights why the library stands out as the leading JavaScript library this year, regardless of its benefits and drawbacks. Renowned companies, including Google, IBM, and Microsoft, have embraced it for their projects due to its user-friendliness, adaptability, and efficiency in client-side scripting.

So, you read a lot of information on jQuery, including its benefits, drawbacks and why it is popular. It is evident from the article that it is here to stay for a long time. It has already been beneficial not only to the experienced but also to the beginner developers. It is an excellent choice for novice developers, allowing them to develop complex applications quickly. It is also an excellent choice for experienced developers, as it is highly extensible and customisable. So, make it a priority to learn jQuery.

Interesting Links:

Start your Career in JQuery

JQuery, A Brief Look

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