Javascript Libraries and Frameworks

[Unforgiven]

This one is just out of curiosity to see what others have found.

I usually stay more on the server side, but I like to think I'm plenty competent on the client side of things as well, Javascript included. I've played around with and to various degrees used a few frameworks out there, but never really did anything big with them, just a bit of pretty stuff here and there. So, I'm curious, what's everyone else's preference as to Javascript frameworks?

Personally, I've used JQuery and (a while ago) Prototype, and liked them both, although I'm quickly becoming a big fan of JQuery. There's also ones like Scriptaculous and MooTools (I believe it's called), but I haven't used them much. I've used YUI (Yahoo User Interface) a little, but from what I saw, it's both monsterous in size and has a unnecessarly complex interface, so I'm not really a fan of it.

[jernst]

If you like JQuery, theres another tool I use sometimes that provides some similar functionality in some areas called the zxml library. Its fairly small (maybe 20-30kb), I think its mostly meant for handling xml but you can also use it for ajax style http requests (which is how I use it).

I couldn't really tell you anything about this thing that makes it any better than anything you've used however Prototype and JQuery are probably just as good if not better.

[DemonWasp]

I've only ever used YUI, but it's worth noting that you only need to import what you want. You can probably get away with DOM, Event and a few other includes for most stuff. If you want animations, there's a bigger problem that what library you choose.

[gianni]

I'm mainly a Prototype guy, but as of late I have been giving jQuery a whirl. JQuery looks pretty slick. However it is missing some of the niceties that Prototype offers. As I see it jQuery is a sweet framework whereas Prototype is more of a language enhancement.

They're both great though!

Another combo I'd like to use is Objective-J & Cappuccino. They look amazing!

[Unforgiven]

gianni @ Tue Dec 09, 2008 11:55 am wrote:

JQuery looks pretty slick. However it is missing some of the niceties that Prototype offers.

Anything in particular as an example? I've used Prototype, but a few years ago, and only a little.

[gianni]

Hey Unforgiven, on the Prototype API docs, if you take a look at the list on the left you'll see all the classes that Prototype enhances. If you take a peek at the String class, for example, you'll see the multitude of methods that have been added to make dealing with JS strings more powerful/pleasant. It's these kinds of things you really appreciate after a while (Array, Hash, Element, Object, and Enumerable especially). This is in contrast to jQuery where virtually everything is done through the jQuery() method (aka $()).

I've noticed that jQuery seems to be used more frequently for modular "plugins" that provide a specific functionality, which is a great idea.

[Unforgiven]

gianni @ Tue Dec 09, 2008 12:32 pm wrote:

Hey Unforgiven, on the Prototype API docs, if you take a look at the list on the left you'll see all the classes that Prototype enhances. If you take a peek at the String class, for example, you'll see the multitude of methods that have been added to make dealing with JS strings more powerful/pleasant. It's these kinds of things you really appreciate after a while (Array, Hash, Element, Object, and Enumerable especially). This is in contrast to jQuery where virtually everything is done through the jQuery() method (aka $()).

I see what you mean - do you know how well they play together, then? I'm just curious as to whether one could use JQuery and Prototype in the same document, each for the respective reasons you mentioned.

gianni @ Tue Dec 09, 2008 12:32 pm wrote:

I've noticed that jQuery seems to be used more frequently for modular "plugins" that provide a specific functionality, which is a great idea.

That's exactly what first grabbed my attention about it, and I wouldn't be surprised if the modularity is its "killer app". Look at Firefox - would it be anything special without its massive selection of extensions? Making things easy to extend is pure gold.

[gianni]

Unforgiven @ Tue Dec 09, 2008 12:35 pm wrote:

I see what you mean - do you know how well they play together, then? I'm just curious as to whether one could use JQuery and Prototype in the same document, each for the respective reasons you mentioned.

jQuery actually has a compatibility mode which will let it play nice with other frameworks and even other versions of jQuery if I'm not mistaken.

Unforgiven @ Tue Dec 09, 2008 12:35 pm wrote:

That's exactly what first grabbed my attention about it, and I wouldn't be surprised if the modularity is its "killer app". Look at Firefox - would it be anything special without its massive selection of extensions? Making things easy to extend is pure gold.

Yea it seems pretty cool, I've been emulating this functionality with standard classes in Prototype, and it works *fairly* well. But if there's a better way I'd rather use it. That's why I'm giving jQuery a shot.