What is jQuery?

What is JavaScript?

JavaScript is a scripting language that was designed for use within a web browser. Typically, JavaScript is used for interface interactions. Slideshows and other interactive components are typically done using JavaScript.

What is jQuery?

jQuery is a lightweight, "write less, do more", JavaScript library.

jQuery is an open source, cross-browser, CSS3 compliant JavaScript library that has made client side scripting relatively easier. It can produce dynamic web pages as well as Flash-like animations. jQuery today powers over 55% of the 10,000 most visited websites on the internet.

jQuery also simplifies a lot of the complicated things from JavaScript, like AJAX calls and DOM manipulation.

The jQuery library contains the following features:

       HTML/DOM manipulation

       CSS manipulation

       HTML event methods

       Effects and animations

       AJAX

       Utilities

 

Why jQuery?

1. It comes with MIT License (http://opensource.org/licenses/MIT) and is open source.
2. Cross-browser Compatibility  
3. Fast & Small Footprint
4. Short Learning curve & Great Documentation (http://docs.jquery.com)
5. Tons of Plugins and Helpful Utilities(jQuery UI)
6. CSS3 Selectors Compliant
7. Widespread Adoption
8. Bugs free or fixed pretty quick

Source: Top-8-reasons-why-jquery-is-so-popular.aspx

Why not jQuery?

       jQuery is easy to accomplish, but not always easy to implement as compared to, say, CSS.

       Even though it is swift, the end product may not always be fast-paced.

       You just have to get the version correct, and pray that you keep getting it correct.

       If improperly used as a framework, things can get complicated beyond measure.