jquery vs zepto vs umbrellajs
JavaScript DOM Manipulation Libraries Comparison
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What's JavaScript DOM Manipulation Libraries?

JavaScript DOM manipulation libraries provide developers with tools to easily interact with and manipulate the Document Object Model (DOM) of web pages. These libraries simplify tasks such as element selection, event handling, and animations, making it easier to create dynamic and interactive web applications. Each library has its own unique features and design philosophies, catering to different development needs and preferences.

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jquery13,194,40359,4221.25 MB902 years agoMIT
zepto147,01914,998-729 years agoMIT
umbrellajs1,3852,308210 kB010 months agoMIT
Feature Comparison: jquery vs zepto vs umbrellajs

Size and Performance

  • jquery:

    jQuery is relatively larger compared to its counterparts, which can impact load times, especially on mobile devices. However, it offers a comprehensive set of features that can justify its size for complex applications.

  • zepto:

    Zepto is also lightweight, specifically optimized for mobile environments. It provides a jQuery-like API while maintaining a small size, making it suitable for mobile web applications where performance is crucial.

  • umbrellajs:

    UmbrellaJS is designed to be extremely lightweight, with a minimal footprint. This makes it ideal for performance-sensitive applications where loading speed is critical. It focuses on essential features without the bloat of unnecessary functionalities.

API and Usability

  • jquery:

    jQuery has a rich and extensive API that allows for complex DOM manipulations, animations, and event handling. Its syntax is straightforward, making it user-friendly for beginners, but the breadth of features can be overwhelming for new users.

  • zepto:

    Zepto mimics jQuery's API, making it familiar for jQuery users. It provides a similar set of functionalities, allowing for easy adoption by those already accustomed to jQuery, but with a focus on mobile performance.

  • umbrellajs:

    UmbrellaJS offers a simple and modern API that is easy to understand and use. It focuses on providing essential functionalities without the complexity of jQuery, making it a great choice for developers looking for simplicity and ease of use.

Browser Compatibility

  • jquery:

    jQuery excels in cross-browser compatibility, providing a consistent experience across various browsers and versions. This makes it a reliable choice for projects that need to support older browsers.

  • zepto:

    Zepto is designed primarily for modern browsers and mobile devices. It does not support older browsers like Internet Explorer, which may limit its use in projects that need to cater to a wider audience.

  • umbrellajs:

    UmbrellaJS is built with modern browsers in mind and does not support older versions of Internet Explorer. This makes it less suitable for projects that require extensive legacy browser support.

Community and Ecosystem

  • jquery:

    jQuery has a large and active community with extensive documentation, plugins, and resources available. This makes it easy to find support and solutions for common problems, as well as a wealth of plugins to extend its functionality.

  • zepto:

    Zepto has a smaller community than jQuery but is still popular among mobile developers. It offers a limited set of plugins compared to jQuery, but its API familiarity allows for easier integration with existing jQuery codebases.

  • umbrellajs:

    UmbrellaJS has a smaller community compared to jQuery, which may result in fewer resources and plugins available. However, it is growing and offers a straightforward approach to DOM manipulation without the overhead of a larger ecosystem.

Learning Curve

  • jquery:

    jQuery is known for its relatively gentle learning curve, especially for beginners. Its extensive documentation and examples help new developers quickly grasp its concepts and functionalities.

  • zepto:

    Zepto's learning curve is similar to jQuery's, making it easy for those familiar with jQuery to adapt. However, new users may need to familiarize themselves with its mobile-centric optimizations.

  • umbrellajs:

    UmbrellaJS is designed to be easy to learn, with a focus on modern JavaScript practices. Its simplified API allows developers to quickly understand and implement DOM manipulations without much overhead.

How to Choose: jquery vs zepto vs umbrellajs
  • jquery:

    Choose jQuery if you need a well-established library with extensive documentation and community support. It's ideal for projects that require compatibility across various browsers and need to handle complex DOM manipulations easily.

  • zepto:

    Choose Zepto if you are working on mobile web applications and need a jQuery-like library that is smaller in size. Zepto is optimized for mobile devices and provides a similar API to jQuery, making it easier to transition between the two.

  • umbrellajs:

    Choose UmbrellaJS if you prefer a lightweight library that focuses on modern JavaScript features while providing a simple API for DOM manipulation. It's suitable for smaller projects or when performance is a priority without sacrificing functionality.

Similar Npm Packages to jquery

jquery is a fast, small, and feature-rich JavaScript library that simplifies HTML document traversal and manipulation, event handling, and animation. It has been a staple in web development for many years, providing developers with an easy-to-use API that works across a multitude of browsers. Despite its popularity, there are lighter alternatives that offer similar functionalities with a more modern approach. Here are a couple of alternatives:

  • umbrellajs is a lightweight JavaScript library designed to provide a minimalistic alternative to jQuery. It offers a simple API for DOM manipulation, event handling, and AJAX requests, while being significantly smaller in size. Umbrella.js is particularly useful for developers looking for a straightforward solution without the overhead of a larger library. Its focus on performance and simplicity makes it an excellent choice for projects that require basic DOM manipulation without the need for the full feature set of jQuery.

  • zepto is another lightweight alternative to jQuery, designed specifically for modern browsers. It provides a jQuery-like API but is much smaller in size, making it ideal for mobile web applications. Zepto supports many of the same methods as jQuery, allowing developers to easily transition from jQuery to Zepto without a steep learning curve. However, it is worth noting that Zepto does not support older browsers, so it is best suited for projects targeting modern environments.

For a detailed comparison of jQuery and Zepto, check out this link: Comparing jquery vs zepto.

README for jquery

jQuery

jQuery is a fast, small, and feature-rich JavaScript library.

For information on how to get started and how to use jQuery, please see jQuery's documentation. For source files and issues, please visit the jQuery repo.

If upgrading, please see the blog post for 3.7.1. This includes notable differences from the previous version and a more readable changelog.

Including jQuery

Below are some of the most common ways to include jQuery.

Browser

Script tag

<script src="https://code.jquery.com/jquery-3.7.1.min.js"></script>

Webpack / Browserify / Babel

There are several ways to use Webpack, Browserify or Babel. For more information on using these tools, please refer to the corresponding project's documentation. In the script, including jQuery will usually look like this:

import $ from "jquery";

If you need to use jQuery in a file that's not an ECMAScript module, you can use the CommonJS syntax:

var $ = require( "jquery" );

AMD (Asynchronous Module Definition)

AMD is a module format built for the browser. For more information, we recommend require.js' documentation.

define( [ "jquery" ], function( $ ) {

} );

Node

To include jQuery in Node, first install with npm.

npm install jquery

For jQuery to work in Node, a window with a document is required. Since no such window exists natively in Node, one can be mocked by tools such as jsdom. This can be useful for testing purposes.

const { JSDOM } = require( "jsdom" );
const { window } = new JSDOM( "" );
const $ = require( "jquery" )( window );
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