Introduction to jQuery-Part 1

1.1 About Jquery                                                                           

JQuery is a fast and concise JavaScript Library that simplifies HTML document traversing, event handling, animating, and Ajax interactions for rapid web development.

 jQuery is an exceptionally clever piece of engineering. It neatly encapsulates an extraordinary range of common functionality, and provides a clever plugin API for any functionality not included by default.

 Using JQuery makes the code light weight and executes faster at the client side. JQuery separates the "behavior" characteristics from the HTML structure

1.2 Why Jquery?

     Unlike most other JavaScript libraries, jQuery works in a different manner. What sets it apart is something known as “Chainablity”. This is somewhat related and like object oriented programming. For one, jQuery generated code is less heavier or smaller than prototypes. Unlike jQuery, which uses OO concepts, prototype – as a JavaScript library, only encourages them. Even if you have used other JavaScript libraries, I, as web developer would definitely suggest you guys at least trying out jQuery. Its simple, short and sweet  and Its powerful, light and fun!

Google, Yahoo, Dell, Bank Of America, also have adopted and used jQuery for developing and deploying their website or website based products

1.3 Where can you get jQuery and other JavaScript libraries?

     jQuery is free and is available at http://jquery.com/. Its small ~15kb and you can find a lot of tutorials and discussions too.

1.4 Features of Jquery

DOM element selections using the cross-browser open source selector engine

jQuery owns a strong and very flexible mechanism for adding in methods and functionality,bundled as plugins

CSS manipulation

Effects and animations

Ajax

Extensibility through plugins

Utilities - such as browser version and the each function.

1.5 jQuery Advantages

jQuery supports CSS 1-3 and basic XPath.

jQuery is about 19kb in size.

jQuery works in Firefox 1.0+, Internet Explorer 5.5+, Safari 1.3+, and Opera 8.5+.

jQuery and Prototype can be used together!