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Ask HN: Is jQuery still a thing?

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Ask HN: Is jQuery still a thing?

#1
With so many "new" js frameworks (like React, Vue.js, Mithril,..) and js-like languages (Elm, Dart, TypeScript,..) is classic jQuery still taken as something good and recommended to use for the front-end? Or should it by replaced by something else? Maintainability and minimum of errors are more relevant for me than raw speed or "hype".

Re: Ask HN: Is jQuery still a thing?

#3
jQuery might not be the fancy new hotness on the block, but it still works and is still used.

I get the feeling more and more that developers are embarrassed about using it, similar to how some devs are embarrassed about using PHP, yet it's still a workhorse.

Re: Ask HN: Is jQuery still a thing?

#4
It depends on what you're doing, and what you're comfortable working with. If you have page content that is largely rendered server-side, with bits of interactivity and some basic AJAX on the frontend, jQuery's your friend. If you want to build a single-page application that rests mostly or entirely on the frontend, thats what the newer frameworks and methodologies are designed to do, and you're better off going with one of them.

Re: Ask HN: Is jQuery still a thing?

#5

It depends on what you're doing, and what you're comfortable working with. If you have page content that is largely rendered server-side, with bits of interactivity and some basic AJAX on the frontend, jQuery's your friend. If you want to build a single-page application that rests mostly or entirely on the frontend, thats what the newer frameworks and methodologies are designed to do, and you're better off going with…

Also, for maintainability - if you're freelancing and plan on handing this off to someone unknown later, I would err on the side of being conservative, and if it turns out that an SPA is what you want to do, then go with a really widely-used framework like React or Angular.

Re: Ask HN: Is jQuery still a thing?

#6
Given that most applications are actually not public facing and do not require 'slick' UIs like we're getting with the new frameworks, I think it will continue to be the choice for utilitarian shops that want to produce easy to maintain stuff quickly. I will certainly admit that it crumbles under its own weight in large apps, but I will continue to evaluate it as my first option when building. Disclaimer: I make my living on the back-end.
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