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JavaScript is globally recognized as one of the best programming languages to learn and is accepted by most programmers and developers. Needless to say, choosing one JavaScript library for your programming job is a difficult decision. In addition, the sheer number of JavaScript libraries available and their usefulness makes choosing one even more confusing. This article clearly explains how to choose one of the available JavaScript libraries.
What is a JavaScript Library?
Before moving on, it’s important to understand what a JavaScript library actually is. JavaScript libraries consist of a significant number of programming functions. Simply put, a JavaScript library is a large collection of pre-written JavaScript that can be used to develop JavaScript-based applications for software applications.
JavaScript libraries reduce some of the workload for developers. Writing your own JavaScript is certainly a risky endeavor. This is where JavaScript libraries come in handy. These libraries contain hundreds of pre-written JavaScript.
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How to select the best Javascript library?
1: Which of the following is a JavaScript framework/library?
Developers and programmers have several options when it comes to JavaScript libraries. Each JavaScript library has its own features and utilities. Choosing the right JavaScript library for your programming job depends on several specific features.
Don’t you know the facts? To choose the best JavaScript library for you, consider the following.
The popularity of a Javascript library
A good JavaScript library needs a broad user base. Choosing a JavaScript library that is not yet known in the programming world is not a wise decision.
There are also several advantages to choosing a popular and reputable JavaScript library. If an expert developer recommends a component from a particular JavaScript library, you have the opportunity to learn how to use that component.
The most well-known JavaScript library includes programming tutorials and how-to instructions. So, you can learn how to use the library components in the best possible way.
The popular JavaScript library comes with advanced bug fixes and security measures to help you get the most out of its features. In addition to all the previous facts, a JavaScript application library is highly customizable and gives you the opportunity to use JavaScript features in innovative ways.
The stability of the library
The sustainability of a JavaScript library depends on its core contributors. Obviously, a reputable and stable organization supports a JavaScript library. When a reputable company supports a proper programming project and a significant JavaScript library, the efficiency of the library automatically increases.
Also, such libraries have a good customer base and participate in numerous programming projects. I’m not sure why open source software is so popular, but I’d definitely prefer a stable open source JavaScript library to one that doesn’t have a proven track record or stable backups.
The documentation of the library
JavaScript libraries make creating documents easier and easier. Beginners should not choose complex libraries full of complicated JavaScript programs. Instead, you should choose a library that does not consist of scripts or complex code.
Also, writing programs using complex JavaScript libraries is time-consuming. If you have little time and need to develop an application, you should choose a simpler JavaScript library.
The developmental progression of the Javascript library
It is natural for JavaScript libraries to be updated regularly to avoid security threats and bugs. If you develop an application or program using an old JavaScript library, the security of your application is likely to be compromised.
You should choose a JavaScript library that is regularly updated. When you try to develop applications and programs using popular JavaScript libraries, you have the opportunity to enjoy new features and additional features. In addition, enhanced security is a special feature of popular JavaScript standard libraries.
These are the parameters you should focus on when choosing the right JavaScript library to complete your particular programming project. By considering these factors, there is less chance of making a wrong choice.
Top JavaScript Libraries To Know in 2024
Below is the list of the top 10 JavaScript libraries.
1. DOJO toolkit
DOJO is a popular open source library for JavaScript. It helps you create cross-platform and Ajax-based websites efficiently. DOJO comes with a rich set of APIs and modules. Several sections of the DOJO toolkit are available.
- dojo – holds the core modules
- dijit – it is a user interface module helping in setting up layout and widgets
- Util – consists of utilities and build tools that can be used for testing, style checking, and more.
- dojox – it will help with charting, grids, and DTL.
Each module in DOJO is independent, lightweight, and can be loaded asynchronously to produce faster responses.
2. jQuery
The jQuery library helps simplify JS programming. This library is highly extensible and helps you create web pages that load faster. jQuery has a set of standard functions that make life easier for developers. It offers various plugins that help you do several things. Some of jQuery’s most notable features include CSS manipulation, HTML/DOM manipulation, HTML events, animations and effects, utilities, and AJAX.
A key feature of jQuery is its simple way of handling browser compatibility issues. jQuery is used by some advanced IT companies like Microsoft, Netflix and Google. It doesn’t take much effort to include jQuery in your web pages.
jQuery’s syntax is very similar to CSS, making it more beginner-friendly. If you’re not familiar with CSS syntax, our CSS cheat sheet can help.
3. Google polymer
Introduced by Google, this JavaScript library helps developers create more interactive web applications by reusing HTML elements and using HTML, CSS, and JS to create custom elements.
Google Polymer is available on different platforms. After installing the polymer library via the command line or the browser, you can reuse already developed elements without worrying about the underlying details of the elements.
This library also allows you to create custom elements using polyfills, web component specifications. You can also distribute these customized elements across your network and import and use the required HTML.
4. JavaScript InfoVis toolkit
You can use the InfoVis JS library to create interactive data visualizations. Commonly used data visualizations include the usual bar charts, pie charts, area charts, etc., as well as trees, treemaps, and RGraphs.
This library allows you to create the color graphics and information you need. You don’t need to write long code to provide additional effects. You can easily download the images you need without having to download the entire package, eliminating the possibility of creating bulky web pages that are difficult to load.
If you have some coding knowledge, you can use this library for data analysis.
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5. D3.js
Here, D3 stands for Data Driven Document. D3.js allows you to apply some data-based transformations to the DOM. Goal – object. It helps you change or manipulate documents based on the data you receive.
You can collect data in any format that is limited to a DOM object. D3 can be used to support dynamic behavior in animations and interactions.
D3 is flexible and uses HTML, SVG and CSS. D3 has a built-in browser inspector that shows paths and makes debugging D3 easy. D3 is committed to a declarative approach that allows developers to do whatever they want with shortcodes.
6. Pixi.js
If you want to create amazing digital content, you can use a JS library called Pixi.js. It is an open-source, cross-platform 2D engine that helps developers create interactive animation-based games and websites. One of the biggest examples is the Disney Pixie.
Pixi is one of the fastest rendering engines running on WebGL in terms of performance. If WebGL is not supported, you can replace it with an HTML canvas. Pixi allows you to hide the functionality of the most complex functions in simple functions that are used as libraries.
7. SWFObject
SWFObject allows any developer to embed Flash SWF files in HTML documents. This library supports SWF files. You cannot use this library to embed other types of media files. Two options are provided for adding markup: dynamic phishing and static phishing.
SWFOjects is used by some of the most popular websites like Microsoft, YouTube, etc. To use this library, you need to enable JS in your browser. This library has several functions to perform various tasks, including utilities for manipulating the DOM and more.
8. Three.js
Three.js provides a library called Three.js that is cross-browser and API and allows developers to create amazing animations. This library runs on top of WebGL instead of using conventional browser plugins. This library allows developers to create complex and challenging 3D animations that can be embedded into websites without writing long and complex code.
This library has various features such as geometry, light, material, etc. This is a js file and its source code is available in a GitHub repository. There is a lot of support documentation for this library from an active community to improve it.
9. Velocity.js
Velocity.js allows you to create web-based animations easily and efficiently. A high-performance engine suitable for creating incredibly complex web animations. Available as open source software.
Works as fast as CSS or jQuery. It helps you create and execute a series of animations one after the other that may not be possible with CSS or jQuery or require complex coding. Many websites use Velocity, including WhatsApp and Uber.
10. React js
React is one of the simple and understandable JavaScript libraries. This library is used to create smarter interfaces for web-based applications. Facebook and several other companies maintain React.
React.js is a declarative and flexible library that allows developers to use existing code and components to create more complex user interfaces. React is fast, so you don’t need to reload the page when you make changes to your app.
11. Vue.js
Like React, Vue js is based on the Virtual DOM model and has a component-based architecture. Vue.js templates help you build apps faster. Vue also requires fewer lines of code for similar tasks that require more code in other libraries. If you need to build small apps quickly, Vue should be your best choice. By combining Vue with other tools and tools, you get a complete framework. As a framework, Vue can handle complex functionality such as routing, build tools, and state management.
12. WinJS
Developed by Microsoft, WinJS is an open source JS library that helps you securely develop Windows applications for Windows 8 and 10. Developers can upload the entire package or individual modules required for their application. WinJS has a wide set of APIs for doing simple to complex tasks, some of which have standard implementations (not specific to Windows). WinJS is a library that provides high performance and helps you learn various controls and features.
13. PHP
As the name suggests, JsPHP is a JavaScript library for PHP APIs that can be used in JS environments. It is open source and provides an attractive interface for JS developers working with PHP. JsPHP can work with other libraries in your application. JsPHP supports PHP functions such as regular expressions, date/time evaluation, JSON, error handling, object manipulation, strings, XML, and URLs.
14. Socket.IO
A reliable library that enables two-way event-based communication between the server and the browser window. It has a node.js server and a browser client library. It detects interrupts and provides auto-connect support along with important features like binary support, channel support and multiplex support.
15. MathJAX
MathJAX, true to its name, is a cross-browser javascript library that can display math notations and uses markup like LaTeX, ASCIIMathML, and MathML. MathJAX beautifully represents maths in different browsers. It is totally accessible and reusable and produces HTML, CSS, SVG, or MathML output. It has a rich API. Since MathJAX doesn’t use bitmap images or flash, developers need not code anything.
16. Blockly
Blockly, developed by Google, is a web-based visual programming editor. Adding a code library adds an editor to your program that displays chunks of code like loops, statements, and variables as blocks. The best part is that you can write custom code and get syntactically correct output in your chosen programming language. Blockly has no server-side dependencies. This is a completely client-side library. Blockly has a drag and drop editor that helps you become computer literate.
17. Modernizr
Modernizr offers feature detection. In other words, it tells you what JS, HTML, and CSS capabilities the browser has. This will help you understand and work on unimplemented features. The presence of an attribute is detected using the Boolean attribute for each attribute being tested. For example, if the browser supports WebSockets, the corresponding attribute “Modernizr.websockets” will be a real number. There are more than 250 functions that can be tested using this library.
18. Verge3D
By adding the Verge3D toolkit, developers can create beautiful 3D visualizations on their websites, including puzzles, UI and website layouts, animations, AR/VR, and more. Verge3D is interactive and you can easily bring out your inner artist on the screen and you don’t even need to be a programming pro. Moreover, this toolkit uses real colors and PBR materials to give you the best 3D web experience. Verge3D uses WebGL for rendering. Verge3D is used by NASA to create a 3D visual experience for the Mars Lander.
19. Anime.js
Anime.js is one of the best animation libraries that makes it very easy to create amazing animations and has a light, clean and powerful API. Timing plays an important role in animation, allowing you to set different CSS properties on an element at different times, and the element will slowly follow the change in shape. Animation works with SVG, CSS, HTML, DOM and JS objects.
20. Parsley
We spend a lot of time validating front-end forms on websites that require users to enter information. The Parsley library simplifies this form of validation process. Detect changes to form data, dynamically adjust validation, and return results almost immediately. All you have to do is write your form’s validation requirements in your HTML. Parsley has a variety of validations that are UX-focused and customizable. Parsley is free, open source and very reliable.
21. QUnit
QUnit is a unit testing tool (or rather a framework) that allows you to test arbitrary general purpose JavaScript code. Most jQuery projects use QUnit. JS is now essential for any web project, and manual testing of many features is complex and unreliable, making QUnit essential. In addition, QUnit is powerful and easy to use. Unit tests written for one application can be reused in other applications in browsers.
As explained above, the best JavaScript libraries each serve a different purpose and are best used together for best results. Overall, these are great libraries that can provide a rich web experience for your users. Read about JavaScript frameworks to understand how different pieces of code work together to create magical websites.
The Importance of JavaScript in Web Development
JavaScript is widely used by web developers to create various interactive web applications. JavaScript is supported by most web browsers and allows developers to create stunning displays of dynamic content on websites. WordPress is the most popular content management system, and in order for WordPress development to work at its best, developers need to have a good knowledge of JavaScript. Developers can use their JavaScript expertise to create powerful and scalable applications. So, if your goal is to work as a WordPress developer, you should learn JavaScript from scratch.
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