Ask any JavaScript guru, what keeps them occupied today? A synchronous and obvious answer would be Ajax or “asynchronous JavaScript and XML”.  As time passes by, Ajax is maturing and getting more complex day by day. So much so that many web biggies, like Google, Yahoo and Microsoft have introduced their own JavaScript libraries.

JavaScript libraries are a collection of pre-written JavaScript controls and classes. JavaScript libraries make it easier for web developers to develop and deploy amazing, fantastically interactive websites and web applications in a fast and headache less way. Most JavaScript libraries today are built and provided around the sphere of Ajax, with Ajax being used widely and getting older and more complex everyday, these libraries offer a fast and almost “bug” less experience while developing and deploying websites. One such JavaScript library would be jQuery.

So, this brings us back to the question,

what is jQuery and Why jQuery over other libraries?

jQuery is a wonderful, power packed library that makes adding wonderful interactivity to your web pages and web sites easy and a childs play. With only a few lines of code, it would add div effects, roll over’s that are interactive and a lot more. jQuery, takes the mundane out of writing scripts using JavaScript and Ajax. If you are a Webmaster, you may have heard about moo tools, Google’s Ajax API, Yahoo’s Ajax base UI, and wonderful Scriptaculous and prototype and maybe even used these. All these, like jQuery are little powerhouses of dynamism for your websites, alternatively known as JavaScript Libraries.

jQuery was written and brought to us Wally’s by John Resig. For more on him you can visit http://ejohn.org.

So, if so many JavaScript libraries already exist

why jQuery?

Unlike most other JavaScript libraries, jQuery works in a different manner. What sets it apart is something known as “Chainablity”. This is somewhat related and like object oriented programming. For one, jQuery generated code is less heavier or smaller than prototypes. Unlike jQuery, which uses OO concepts, prototype – as a JavaScript library, only encourages them. Even if you have used other JavaScript libraries, I, as web developer would definitely suggest you guys at least trying out jQuery. Its simple, short and sweet  and Its powerful, light and fun!

If you have been up and date on your reading skills as a Webmaster, you would know that jQuery, recently was adopted by Microsoft and Nokia as part of their official developmental platform. More about this @ http://jquery.com/blog/2008/09/28/jquery-microsoft-nokia/.

Not only that Google, Yahoo, Dell, Bank Of America, NBC, digg and other biggies also have adopted and used jQuery for developing and deploying their website or website based products.

Why should you use jQuery?

As mentioned above, jQuery is simple. Have a look at the tutorials here http://docs.jquery.com/Tutorials:How_jQuery_Works and you would know what I mean by simple! With jQuery, a Webmaster or web developer could accomplish a lot in three lines of code, that’s it! Above all, jQuery is more so graceful and smooth.

Here is a small e.g. from jquery.com

The concept of jQuery is different than others and arguably simpler and in some cases shorter.

When should you use jQuery?

You should use jQuery, when you need control over your DOM objects. This might translate to, when you want to use Ajax to spruce up and power your pages with almost no or effortless code, that is easier to debug and write and light to run, that is when you should use jQuery.

If you are looking for some heavy animation, you can couple jQuery with other libraries like prototype and scriptaculous.

Where can you get jQuery and other JavaScript libraries?

jQuery is free and is available at http://jquery.com/. Its small ~15kb and you can find a lot of tutorials and discussions too.

What about other JavaScript libraries?

You can get your hands on:
prototype @ www.prototypejs.org
scriptaculous @ www.script.aculo.us
mootools @ www.mootools.net

For a full list of other JavaScript libraries you can visit http://javascriptlibraries.com/ this site has an extensive and categorized list of JavaScript libraries.

This should keep you guys digging and busy Have a good one!
My jQuery motto: jQuery - Easier than getting laid on the first date!
I would add more resources if you guys want them.