JQuery
What is jQuery?
jQuery is a feature-rich JavaScript library embedded in one .js file. It is distinctively fast and small, which makes it one of the best tools for web developers.
It is ultimately created to simplify and streamline the client-side of JavaScript programming. Things like AJAX, event-handling, animation, manipulation, and document traversal can be easily executed by jQuery. It also comes equipped with a user-friendly API, which makes it a good fit for a large range of browsers out there!
Through the use of jQuery, you can easily use JavaScript on your website and make it dynamic and appealing at the same time. You can use jQuery to add animation to your website as well!
jQuery is also cross-platform, which means that it can support different types of browsers. This is amazing since JavaScript on its own is different for every browser.
Very commonly, jQuery is referred to as “write less do more” because that’s exactly what it does! It simplifies lines upon lines of JavaScript into a single line of code. Needless to say, it takes away a lot of effort and hassle that goes into coding! Not only that, but it also simplifies other aspects such as AJAX calls and DOM manipulation.
jQuery Features
The discussion above will enable you to have a better understanding of jQuery. Once you grasp what it is, the list below containing all the features it offers will help you gauge the essence of jQuery even better. These features are:
- HTML manipulation
- DOM manipulation
- DOM element selection
- CSS manipulation
- Effects and Animations
- Utilities
- AJAX
- HTML event methods
- JSON Parsing
- Extensibility through plug-ins
jQuery Advantages
As you can tell, the wide-stretched list of the features it offers in itself is solid enough to make jQuery an incredible tool for web developers. Luckily for us, it has some other benefits that make it even better.
Let’s have a look at the advantages of jQuery.
jQuery is very popular
Given its ease of use and convenience, jQuery is a very popular instrument amongst web developers. This is an advantage because it means that there are many resources, guides, and information available on the subject. If you feel like familiarising yourself with jQuery at any point in the future, it will be quite easy for you to learn and implement everything about this tool!
jQuery is simple
A lot of developers consider jQuery to be straightforward to use. It uses considerably shorter codes, an open coding standard, and very simple syntax! Not only does this minimize the number of complexities you face, but it also enables developers to implement unique styles on their websites very easily.
jQuery is very lightweight and lean
The fact that jQuery is lightweight and lean is not hidden! The creators of this library have gone the extra mile to take out some functions and move them to the plugin section to ensure that jQuery remains light!
As a result, you get to save on bandwidth, ensure faster loading times, and use jQuery however you like it. The core jQuery library is only 24 kb - can you believe it? That’s less than the size of a small photograph on a website!
The Bottom Line
jQuery is a fantastic tool for web developers. The amount of features it offers and the advantages it comes with is insane. Once you can get a basic understanding of how it works, you can easily use it to add some super cool animations and effects to your website. If used properly, it can take your website to the next level without you losing your sanity.