jQuery

toc =jQuery, a JavaScript Library = jQuery, “The Write Less, Do More JavaScript Library”, is an open source JavaScript library used in website development. Released in 2006 by John Resig, jQuery is now run by a group of volunteers and is offered under both an MIT and GPL license. Like other JavaScript libraries, jQuery contains one-line codes which call up scripts for common functions like event handling, HTML navigation, modifying CSS attributes, and animation. Users of jQuery can search for specific content or browse by subject. There are several categories of tutorials available, starting with jQuery basics. jQuery is the JavaScript library of choice for several large organizations including Google, Microsoft, Dell, Bank of America, Mozilla.org, and Drupal. Ease of use, cross-platform support, excellent documentation, and the availability of plugins are cited as reasons to use this JavasScript library over similar tools. The jQuery Summit, an online conference for jQuery users, and the jQuery Conference, also provide opportunities to learn from and network with other developers using jQuery.



 Image by Flickr user doug.neiner and used under the Creative Commons License.

Getting started with jQuery
The jQuery site offers links to a variety of web tutorials suitable for the jQuery beginner through the advanced user which cover both general and specific uses of jQuery. In addition to the online tutorials, jQuery also provides recommendations for print resources related to jQuery. Several new jQuery books will be released in 2012, but have not had the opportunity to be reviewed or recommended at this time. The 2nd Edition to //JQuery, Novice to Ninja//, whose 1st edition California Bookwatch recommended to anyone interested in JavaScript, will be released in 2012.

Even with these available books and tutorials, jQuery library is a tool for web developers who are comfortable with coding. While the library represents a significant time saving opportunity, the code will likely need to be tweaked to work with an existing web page. The first step in using the jQuery library is a search for an entry, widget, or plugin that meets the developer’s needs. Each entry in the available libraries comes with a description, code, and a link to see the code in action. Selected code can either be downloaded or linked through another source, such as a Google API. The jQuery library is also embedded in many web developer software applications, such as Adobe’s DreamWeaver or SeaMonkey from Mozilla.org.

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Books Recommended by The jQuery Project
Learning jQuery Third Edition by Karl Swedberg and Jonathan Chaffer jQuery 1.4 Animation Techniques: Beginners Guide by Dan Wellman jQuery Plugin Development Beginner's Guide by Guilio Bai jQuery in Action by Bear Bibeault and Yehuda Katz jQuery Enlightenme by Cody Lindley

Plugins
<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">One of the reasons that jQuery is among the most popular JavaScript libraries is the availability of plugins. There is an extensive, and continually growing, selection of plug-ins for nearly all conceivable web page functions from browser tweaks to menus and navigation. Tech writer, Reuven Lerner provides an easy explanation of how to use a plugin, “Download the plugin; install any CSS and JavaScript files that come with it, and then incorporate the JavaScript file into one or more HTML pages on your site, using a standard tag. Finally, attach the plugin to one or more elements on the page, using jQuery's event-handling functions, typically inserted into $(document).ready.” (2009) jQuery account holders can rate plugins using a five star scale. The jQuery website lists the Top Plugins according to these ratings. In addition, many tech blogs have posts listing and describing popular plugins. Recommendation lists which focus on one theme like integrating Slide Shows or Twitter, provide examples of how different developers approach and view similar design and functionality issues.

<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">** Plugin Project Types **
<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">Ajax <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">Animation and Effects <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">Browser Tweaks <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">Data <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">DOM <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">Drag-and-Drop <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">Events <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">Forms <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">Integration <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">JavaScript <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">jQuery Extensions <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">Layout <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">Media <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">Menus <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">Metaplugin <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">Navigation <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">Tables <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">User Interface <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">Utilities <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">Widgets <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">Windows and Overlays

<span style="color: #0000ff; font-family: Georgia,serif;">Library Science Connection
<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">Information professionals who develop, design, and maintain the web sites can benefit from the use of jQuery. Like other web developers, information professionals who take advantage of jQuery scripts can save time and add function to their sites without reinventing code. Since jQuery is an open source library, it is freely available and not cost prohibitive to smaller libraries or shrinking budgets. The jQuery libraries are integrated into many of the applications in use by information professional, such as Adobe Dreamweaver, @SharePoint, WordPress, and SeaMonkey.

<span style="color: #0000ff; font-family: Georgia,serif;">**References**
<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">Lerner, R. M. (2009). jQuery plugins. //Linux Journal//, //(179)//, 18-21.

<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">Lerner, R. M. (2009). Writing jQuery plugins. //Linux Journal//, //(180)//, 22-25.

<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">Miller-Francisco, E. (2010). Creating dynamic websites using jQuery. //Computers In Libraries, 30//(6), 26-28.

<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">The jQuery Project (2010). About. Retrieved from http:// http://jquery.org/about/

<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">The jQuery Project (2010). History. Retrieved from http://jquery.org/history/

<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">The jQuery Project (2010). jQuery Write less, do more. Retrieved from http://jquery.com/