Which JavaScript libraries/frameworks/etc?

Dave!

Hey folks,

I've got a good grasp of JavaScript, but the only library I've bothered learning about is jQuery. I use jQuery all the time, and am quite comfortable with it, but I'm wondering should I spend some time learning about other libraries, and if so, which?

The only other ones I know of are Ext and and Prototype. Do these do things that jQuery doesn't do? Are they only really for certain purposes? I find jQuery so easy to use, are these complicated or no?

Also, Prototype is being referred to as a JavaScript framework -- is that different from a library? Can the terms be used interchangeably? Same with API.

Cheers !

fasty

I've used Prototype as well as JQuery and they both seem to do more or less the same thing to me, i.e. provide nice ways of manipulating the DOM, submitting asynchronous requests and just taking some of the pain out of Javascript.

Prototype doesn't have any animation stuff, although Scriptaculous is built upon it to provide that sort of thing.

I personally stick with JQuery simply because I like the selector syntax but never had problems switching between different frameworks armed with the relevant documentation. Plus JQuery has a very healthy plugin community.

Regarding the term framework/library. It's interchangable here.

jebuz

Hi Dave,

I really wouldn't worry too much about the differences between a Javascript library and a framework because the terms are interchanged so much, but personally I would class them as follows:

A framework will generally aid the developer in terms of performing common tasks quicker and easier, for example retrieving a DOM element, setting it's style or height, or moving an element on the page. An example of this is jQuery's $ notation. To retrieve an element you simply use $('elementId') but pure JavaScript, this would be document.getElementById('elementId'). Basically, it makes life easier. A framework also makes developing Ajax websites a hell of a lot easier, just look at how easy it is to do using jQuery. Prototype is quite similar to jQuery but probably a bit limited in terms of visual effects so it is often used in conjunction with a library called scriptaculous which provides the effects and UI elements, the same way jQuery is often used with jQuery UI - another library.

This bring us on to libraries. So as from above, a library will usually provide a collection UI widgets, visual effects or other unique functionality that can be rendered onto the web page. ExtJS is such a library as it provides a vast array of rich and dynamic components such as combo boxes, dialog boxes, grids etc, the building blocks of a neat and interactive web application. I would class scriptaculous as mentioned above as a library also, but not as advanced as ExtJS.

I have used both ExtJS and jQuery in the same project and both work very well together, in fact Ext JS provide an adapter to allow both to work in tandem, so frameworks and libraries are often used together to develop a good UI.

I would say knowing ExtJS or such a library is not essential right now, I would more concentrate on getting to a decent level of developing in JavaScript, understanding it's core functions and OO concepts and once you have that nailed you will be able to pick up any library or framework with relative ease.

Personally I think knowing one framework really well (jQuery in my case) is far more beneficial than dipping your hand in various frameworks, you'll generally only need one framework to get the job done. You've been using jQuery a bit you say and getting good results so unless you find a limitation with it, I wouldn't go looking for another framework. Definitely take a look at some of the libraries available, particularly jQuery UI (http://jqueryui.com/) you'll be amazed at some of the stuff it can do, and it's free unlike ExtJS or some of the other advanced libraries.

Finally an API refers to the development documentation for a library or framework, i.e what functions are available and what they do - here's an example of the ExtJS API http://dev.sencha.com/deploy/dev/docs/

Hope that helps.

Dave!

Cheers guys, much obliged

I think I'll stick with jQuery for now, but will also take a look at jQuery UI !

Thanks alot