Looking Deeper at JQuery

(Note: You may notice that we’re looking at different JS libraries. as part of Ajax, JavaScript Libraries offer powerful scripts so that developers could write less and build more applications)

JQuery is a relatively new JavaScript library. Even though it was just released January of 2006, this library slowly became the library of preference for some. This JavaScript library features lightweight components that enable interaction of JavaScript to HTML seamlessly. The main focus of the JS library is in its intricate interaction with HTML perfect for light websites that warrants Ajax based applications. Developers should easily cross JavaScript components to HTML using this library. Translating this function into Ajax, developers should be able to render Ajax based websites easily. 

We take a look at this library and see what are its advantages and disadvantages.

JQuery Advantages

Great Documentation – Like the previously mentioned JavaScript libraries, JQuery offers a very impressive documentation. But something different could be found in JQuery: samples – and lots of it. Developers should enjoy different samples found in their documentation. Worth mentioning are the APIs as it feature explanation and samples for developers.

Simple Event Handling – JQuery doesn’t go with the popular practice for Event Handling. JQuery uses bind to group together the function. This bind could easily go for callback and the description could easily be handled.

Excellent DOM Manipulation – DOM is quiet tricky in some libraries but JQuery, again simplifies it by “chaining” the elements. No need for huge amount of lines as everything could be “chained” in one line. If you want to make some changes, there are filters that will look at the list and show you the things you’re looking for. Right there, you can edit and delete the entries as you wish.

JQuery Disadvantages

Support – I hate to say that a community supported library is a bad thing. But it is actually a bad thing to get yourself in a position where help could come out of nowhere or the source is unknown. JQuery has massive community support but lacks in the enterprise edition. There’s a little bit of good news though: Ext a powerful JS framework now supports this library.

Where is XML? – I’ve been looking for XML but apparently, there’s none. Yes, XML should still work well in JQuery but it’s not recommended and wasn’t even mentioned. There are tricks that could aid you in using XML but if you’re familiar with JSON, that’s the only way it could complement JavaScript.

No Widgets – there is no direct widgets that can come from JQuery. However, it has already been compensated with the JQuery UI. Django could also be converted to fill in the need of JQuery widgets.

JQuery Conclusion

This lightweight JavaScript library packs powerful features that should aid anyone in developed Ajax based applications. Its close association with HTML makes JQuery one of the top libraries for Ajax based websites. If you’re a webmaster concerned with Google Web Crawler, JQuery is your best tool to create HTML friendly websites. Although it doesn’t have widgets, it has been fairly compensated with different frameworks and tools – a little familiarization will help developers expand the function of JQuery especially in adding widgets to their applications.