Monday – Saturday 9:00 AM – 8:00 PM
(07) 5461 3634
Book A Free Strategy Call
Back To Glossary

jQuery

Definition

What is jQuery?

jQuery, which means JavaScript Query, is a framework or library that contains a comprehensive features and plugins list that allows developers to build complex, visual-heavy, and interactive pages with ease.

If you want a more in-depth understanding of this topic, check out the FAQ section below:

Question #1: Is jQuery and JavaScript the same?

No, jQuery is not the same as JavaScript. Instead, it is a library that exists in JavaScript.

Question #1: What are the advantages of using jQuery?

jQuery can build complex websites while simplifying the work of web developers.

Here’s why you should start using this in your web pages:

  1. It runs smoothly across all available browsers, ensuring that your website runs smoothly. 
  2. It can improve the functionality of your web pages, thanks to its extensive library.
  3. It can create intricate web pages. With all the features available you can build a dynamic website with unlimited potential that exactly meets all your (or your clients’) needs. 
  4. It is capable of building interactive web pages. The feature-rich library makes it very flexible. 
  5. It is useful in search engine optimization (SEO).
  6. It is easy for novice web developers to learn and adopt. With a background in HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, you can easily learn how to add jQuery to your web pages. In fact, you should be able to learn how to use the library in a matter of hours.
  7. It compresses the amount of code you need to write as well as the time it would take for you to write them.

Question #2: What are the disadvantages of using jQuery?

The main drawback of using this is the large file size you will need to download to use it. It is not always the case, but occasionally, it may be too much for both server and client computers to handle. 

To know more about its disadvantages, check this helpful article from Course Report.

Question #3: What are its features?

jQuery comes with features like:

  1. DOM manipulation
  2. CSS manipulation
  3. Events
  4. AJAX
  5. Plugins
  6. Animations

Question #4: Is it obsolete?

No, jQuery is not obsolete. While it does face more competition than it did over ten years ago, it is still one of the more widely used JavaScript libraries along with Node, Angular, and React.

Question #5: Do I still need to learn jQuery?

Yes, it still pays to learn and master jQuery. Even though there are new frameworks and libraries that are popping up every day, are not at all obsolete or useless.

Here are the reasons why jQuery still deserves a spot in your coding toolbox:

  1. Many companies still use this in their coding. Adding this to your resume makes you appear like a more qualified, well-rounded web developer.
  2. Even if your IT manager wants to implement a new JavaScript library down the road, it is highly likely that the current website runs on jQuery. Keep in mind that among the JavaScript libraries, jQuery is one of the most popular.
  3. As we have seen earlier, it runs smoothly across all browsers. If you work as a front-end coder for a website that needs to run on older browsers, it will be very useful to know it.