As
a hugely popular client-side scripting language, JavaScript does not
need any introduction. In addition to being used as part of web
browsers, JavaScript also controls the web browsers, effectuates user
interaction, facilitates asynchronous communication, and delivers
customized content to users. So most web developers use JavaScript to
reduce the time and effort required for building large or complex
websites. The web developers also have option to use several JavaScript
frameworks to effectuate and speedup web development.
JQuery
is a widely used cross-platform JavaScript library. Despite being open
source, jQuery is easy to use, fast and concise. The API provide by
jQuery works seamlessly on major web browsers. Also, the feature-rich
JavaScript library makes it easier for web developers to manipulate HTML
documents, handle events, create animations, select DOM elements, and
build AJAX application. At the same time, jQuery can also be used for
creating a variety of plug-ins by taking advantages of the JavaScript
library.
Thus,
the modern web developers have option to use JavaScript and jQuery
either independently or side by side. However, it is also important for
the programmers to understand some of the major differences between
JavaScript and jQuery.
4 Important Differences between JavaScript and jQuery
1) Programming Language and Library
As
a dynamic programming language, JavaScript supports object-oriented,
structured, functional and imperative programming styles. The
first-class functions and dynamic typing also make JavaScript
categorized as a prototype-based scripting language. On the other hand,
jQuery is a JavaScript library. The framework makes it easier for
developers to accomplish a number of common web tasks like HTML document
manipulation, event handling, animation, DOM element selection and AJAX
application development.
2) Scripting Time
When
a web developer decides to use straight JavaScript, he has to write
additional code to accomplish several tasks. He further has to put extra
time and effort for debugging and fixing browser compatibility issues.
But jQuery allows developers to take advantage of existing scripting. So
they can use the scripting existing in jQuery to accomplish a number of
web tasks without writing longer lines of code. Thus, jQuery makes it
easier for web programmers to save the time and efforts required for
building modern websites and internet applications.
3) Simplification of Client-Side Scripting
As
a client-side scripting language, JavaScript makes it easier for
developers to effectuate user interaction and deliver customized content
to users. But the developers have to write longer lines of code to
write a web application in straight JavaScript. So web developers often
use JavaScript frameworks to accomplish the scripting functions easily
and quickly. As a cross-platform JavaScript library, jQuery comes with
features to perform the common scripting functionalities. So developers
can use the library to simplify the client-side scripting of HTML. The
plug-ins, widgets and UIs provided by the framework help web programmers
to drastically reduce development time.
Both
JavaScript and jQuery run quite faster on the latest web browsers and
computers. But the speed of both JavaScript and jQuery is impacted by
use of older web browsers. As JavaScript can access the DOM faster than
jQuery, the programmers can easily curtail the overheads associated with
the library. However, jQuery makes it easier for developers to build
high-performing websites and internet application by availing
functionality independent of web browsers.
On
the whole, JavaScript is a dynamic and feature-rich programming
language, whereas jQuery is a library of JavaScript code. The proficient
JavaScript developers
can easily use jQuery to accomplish a variety of tasks without writing
longer lines of code. However, they can still use jQuery without being
proficient in the popular client-side scripting language. That is why;
the developers need to choose JavaScript or jQuery according to specific
needs of the project.
At Mindfire Solutions, we have been providing JavaScript development services
to our esteemed clients for more than 6 years now. Our Web Development
Team is 15 years old now and equally adept in various web technologies
like Java, ASP.Net, ColdFusion, Ruby on Rails, PHP, Python and Front End
technologies like HTML5 and JavaScript to name a few. If you have a
rich web application and you need to upgrade/maintain the same or a new
web application idea in mind, please feel free to write to us at Sales
at MindfireSolutions Dot Com and we will revert back within one business
day. As a special limited period offer, you can also avail our
Risk-Free Trial offer.
