jQuery
jQuery is a cross-platform supported, open source JavaScript library frequently preferred by developers. Based on the principle of "Do more with less code", jQuery aims to simplify programming by working with JavaScript. Contrary to popular belief, it is not a separate programming language.
The main purpose of jQuery is to compress very long and complex code lines into a single code, thus avoiding having to rewrite hundreds of code. With fewer lines of code, high-performance JavaScript applications are written. One of its most important features is that it enables operation on browsers.
Google, IBM, Microsoft, and Netflix, among other major technology companies, utilize the jQuery JavaScript library on hundreds of websites. According to the StackOverflow 2022 survey, more than 29% of participants work with jQuery. The fact that jQuery is free and open source has made it popular and its use is increasing.
What is jQuery Used for?
- Many operations such as animations, Ajax applications, image effects, or user interfaces can be done easily with jQuery.
- Syntax documents can be managed with jQuery.
- Dom (Document Object Model) simplifies creating applications.
- It makes the use of JavaScript, considered a difficult programming language, easy and allows operations on websites easily.
- With less code, powerful JavaScript applications can be created.
- With the ability to create plugins, it enables developers to create customizable Widgets.
- It provides advantages in terms of SEO.
What Can Be Done with jQuery?
jQuery can be used in a wide range of areas. Being free, open source, and easy to learn has made it popular among developers. The first answer to the question "What is jQuery used for? would be that jQuery creates powerful JavaScript applications written with fewer characters instead of complex codes in the design and development processes of websites. Here are some answers to what can be done with jQuery:
- DOM Framing Operations: Content can easily be added to web pages, existing content can be updated or removed using just a few lines of code.
- Dropdown Menus: Dropdown menus can be created with jQuery.
- XML Requests: jQuery is used to request additional data from the server without waiting for a page to reload on the website.
- Animated Effects: Using jQuery, animations and effects can be added to the elements on web pages.
- Changing Element Properties: With jQuery, the properties of elements such as HTML, CSS on the web page can be easily changed as desired.
- Interactive Objects: Using jQuery, interactive objects that users can manage with the mouse or keyboard on the web page can be made.
In addition to these, with jQuery, animated slide shows, lightboxes, pages that can be relocated just by dragging and dropping, and AJAX text fields can be created.
At least basic knowledge about HTML, CSS, and JavaScript codes is required for jQuery usage.
How to Download jQuery?
There are two methods for jQuery usage.
In the first method, a ready-made library is downloaded from the jQuery web page. The jQuery file extension here is '.js'. Compressed and non-compressed js files can be downloaded depending on the file size, and changes can be made in the codes.
In the second method, instead of downloading the jQuery library to the computer, it is directly used with the jQuery CDN (Content Delivery Network).
Advantages of jQuery
jQuery is used by many developers among JavaScript libraries. So, why should you learn to use jQuery? What are the advantages of jQuery?
- Open source: jQuery is an open source and free library. It offers the possibility to develop hundreds of different plugins and easy access to these plugins.
- Easy to learn: jQuery has a simple and easy structure. Provides plenty of training resources.
- Compatible / Cross Browser Support: jQuery works compatible with almost all web browsers like Internet Explorer, Firefox, Opera and Safari. This feature made it a popular JavaScript library.
- Chainable: Thanks to a feature called jQuery's Magic, methods in jQuery can be written one after another and operations can be done by chaining. Thus, multiple operations are gathered in one line.
Best jQuery Plugins
There are many plugins prepared with jQuery. The popular jQuery plugins are:
- Round Slider
- jInvertScroll
- TwentyTwenty
- Readable
- Slinky
- Typeahead.js
- Avgrund Modal
- NanoGallery
What is the Difference between JavaScript and jQuery?
We often come across the question "What is the difference between JavaScript and jQuery?".
JavaScript is a lightweight dynamic programming language used by software developers to develop web pages, applications, and servers. Interactive and dynamic web pages are developed using JavaScript. It is one of the most commonly used core programming languages by software developers.
jQuery is a JavaScript library. It can solve operations that can be written with many command lines in JavaScript in a very simple way.
Basic Resources for Learning jQuery
In our increasingly “remote” education model world, taking remote lessons normalizes. Here's a list of basic resources for learning jQuery:
- Udemy: Provides many paid and free resources related to jQuery, based on levels.
- Khan Academy: You can learn to use jQuery with Khan Academy, which is free and accessible to everyone.
- W3Schools: An open and free education site. It has many tutorials related to jQuery and JavaScript.
In addition, as we mentioned that jQuery is a free and open source library, you can access all documentation for free by clicking here from their official website.
jQuery Training
We talked about jQuery being a popular JavaScript library. In order to use this library, you need to have basic knowledge of JavaScript, HTML, and CSS. Knowing these will help understand how the jQuery library works.
You can participate in online CSS lessons, online HTML lessons, and online JavaScript lessons to acquire basic information or improve your existing skills. For jQuery lessons and jQuery training, you can use jQuery's own documents.
Click here to check our open Bootcamp courses and improve yourself in this field.
