What Is JQuery?

As one of the most popular javascript libraries on the market, JQuery has made a name for itself for providing high quality, concise javascript for use in creating javascript-based applications for online use. 

What Is JQuery?

But what exactly is javascript, and what is the nature of the service JQuery provides? 

Javascript: The Facts

Javascript is a programming language, and one of the main technologies at the heart of the world wide web, as well as HTML (hyper text markup language) and CSS (cascading screen sheets). 

Javascript engines are used by every web search engine to help code the information for people’s individual systems, and many websites rely on javascript libraries to access the coding necessary for web design and content creation. 

Javascript Libraries

A javascript library is a collection of pre-written javascript code that lets users easily use and create javascript-based applications for use on the web. 

These libraries came about in response to the ever increasing demand for javascript coding, and the implementation of collections meant that basic coding could be mass produced and widely used by customers to use as templates for their own applications, saving time, effort, and money for developers and clients. 

JQuery: The Facts

One of the most popular javascript libraries is JQuery, and its main purpose is to allow javascript coding to make your website more attractive and interactive to users. 

Originally created in 2006 in BarCamp, New York, JQuery was the brainchild of John Resig, who was also inspired by earlier software cssQuery, which was created by programmer Dean Richards. 

After its initial release, the popularity soared, and is now used in 77.8% of the top 10 million websites as of 2021. 

The Ethos Of JQuery

When it comes to javascript coding with JQuery, there are several promises that come together to form their central ethos. 

The first involves the separation of javascript and HTML, providing simple syntax for the addition of event handlers to the document object model (DOM) using javascript. 

The second is brevity and clarity, which the company openly encourages. This is furthered by the inclusion of “chainable” functions and shorthands used for function names. 

The third was the elimination of cross-browser incompatibilities. Some javascript codes only work with certain types of technology, causing problems for developers wishing to create cross-technological applications.

With JQuery, developers are provided with a consistent interface that works across different browsers. 

Finally, extensibility is another stepping stone of the JQuery business model, allowing customers and developers to easily add new events, elements and methods to existing technologies, as well as allowing them to then be reused as a plug-in at a later date. 

Features Of JQuery

With JQuery, there are several features that users can utilize. These include: 

  • Sizzle – a multi-browser open source selector engine which allows DOM element selections. 
  • DOM manipulation based on CSS selectors. 
  • Events. 
  • Effects and animations. 
  • Ajax web developing techniques. 
  • Deferred and Promise objects for asynchronous processing. 
  • JSON parsing – a standard file format. 
  • Extensibility through plug-ins. 
  • Feature detection utilities. 
  • Cross-generational codes for new and older technologies. 
  • Cross-browser support. 

JQuery: The Benefits

JQuery: The Benefits

When it comes to JQuery, there are several benefits when compared to similar systems. 

Concise

The main benefit to JQuery is that it is quicker, more concise, and easier to use than similar javascript libraries, meaning it is a perfect format for new users to learn the skills necessary for good coding. 

Plug-Ins

Javascript also comes with a wide range of plug-ins, offering a much more varied range of uses and functionalities for developers. 

A plug-in is a piece of software used in content creation, development, or general computing, and is incredibly important and useful for extending the capabilities of what technology can accomplish. 

Community

One benefit of using JQuery is that you will be part of a much larger development community, full of people and organizations who can offer advice, help, and collaborate with projects. 

This makes it the perfect software for newbies and veterans alike, and a place where developers can join together and make things happen. 

This also allows developers to create new plug-ins and share them amongst the community.

This can be great for collaborations, as well as receiving feedback from a direct user base who know what they are talking about and can provide detailed notes on plug-in functionality. 

Documentation

For a 3rd party javascript library, JQuery also comes with really detailed supporting documentation to instruct and assist developers when accessing and using javascript code. 

Familiarity

JQuery is also a great place for people to get to grips with the fundamentals of coding, as the language it uses is similar to (and incorporates) a familiar CSS syntax from older forms of coding. 

Efficiency

Another benefit is that the system is cleaner, more efficient, and much more user friendly than older or competing companies. 

This takes an already complex job and makes it more of a pleasant experience, allowing developers to access the codes they want in a format that promotes usability and ease. 

Adaptability

JQuery allows for better cross compatibility with other formats, such as mobile smart devices and phones.

This makes it especially good for creating cross compatible plug-ins, or for creating web content that needs to be viewed on multiple formats. 

The Price

Finally, the main selling point (so to speak) of JQuery is that it is free to use, and doesn’t require licenses for the implementation of javascript codes into your personal websites and systems. 

This makes it much more accessible to a wider community of developers, most of whom might not be able to afford premium javascript libraries.

Final Thoughts

And there we have it, everything you need to know about JQuery, their efficacy, and their place within the wider developmental community. 

For any budding developers out there, the only thing left to do is to try it for yourself. Something tells me you won’t regret it!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hcO4JsLsvqg

Ollie Wilson

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