JavaScript has allowed us to create dynamic interfaces, adapting to a user and providing context in many ways. In past endeavors, we have developed the entire front-end layer using JavaScript: a vast object-oriented structure to deliver HTML on the fly.

When we started using JavaScript as a serious web-interface tool, JavaScript libraries were young and most too cumbersome to implement. We decided on the cross-browser library for its structure and ease of modular integration. However, in the past two years, JavaScript libraries have matured, each taking a separate approach in programming methodologies. jQuery is the one we enjoy using the most.

Rather than focusing on why we did not choose other libraries, we will keep things as short as possible by providing a few reasons we chose jQuery.

jQuery is small.

It’s true. jQuery has left out many utility-style functions Prototype has included, and rather focuses on functions that require some cross-browser love. jQuery is easily extensible if we find we need to add functionality to the library.

In addition to the jQuery library being small in size, it allows us to write shorter, more readable code. This provides a significant decrease in development time as well as a decrease in page load time.

jQuery is easy.

A friend of mine once told me “It took me less time to learn jQuery and implement a jQuery-based solution than to implement a Prototype-based solution. And I already knew Prototype!”

This may be hyperbole, but it’s not far off. I’m a designer first, and while I’m trained in the art of programming, I like to spend at little time as possible coding. The jQuery team has done a wonderful job with the documentation, and the library is very well structured.

As a web designer with a full understanding of the DOM, jQuery is a joy to use. Traversing, manipulation and animation has never been so easy.

Indeed, I have been using jQuery enough that coding without it is arduous.

jQuery is extensible.

We plan to share a great deal of code with you. Therefore, we plan on building our features as jQuery plugins and including them as such in our product. There is hardly any overhead in turning a bit of functionality into a jQuery plug-in, making it the perfect way to share our code with you.

We are anxious to start preparing prototypes and examples for you using jQuery! Adam will post some fantastic jQuery-centric JavaScript tutorials very soon.

You can check out his extensive front-end Model-View-Controller JavaScript development pattern here. We will be applying this methodology to Listotron, so expect more specific examples and tutorials in the near future.