Chapter 1. Introducing jQuery

 

This chapter covers

  • Why you should use jQuery
  • What Unobtrusive JavaScript means
  • The fundamental elements and concepts of jQuery
  • Using jQuery in conjunction with other JavaScript libraries

Considered a “toy” language by serious web developers for most of its lifetime, JavaScript has regained its prestige in the past few years as a result of the renewed interest in Rich Internet Applications and Ajax technologies. The language has been forced to grow up quickly as client-side developers have tossed aside cut-and-paste JavaScript for the convenience of full-featured JavaScript libraries that solve difficult cross-browser problems once and for all and provide new and improved paradigms for web development.

A relative latecomer to this world of JavaScript libraries, jQuery has taken the web development community by storm, quickly winning the support of major websites such as MSNBC, and well-regarded open source projects including SourceForge, Trac, and Drupal.

1.1. Why jQuery?

1.2. Unobtrusive JavaScript

1.3. jQuery fundamentals

1.4. Summary