Javascript
Javascript Compiler from Google
Google has released a javascript utility called Closure Compiler to compact javascript code so it will run faster and download more quickly. The utility also helps find javascript errors. A Google add-on for Firebug is available to work with the ‘compiled’ code.
Check out these links for more details:
Closure Compiler Home Page | Closure Compiler Online Tool
Comparison Grid of Major Javascript Frameworks
Useful comparison grid of javascript frameworks – jQuery, Dojo, MooTools, Prototype, Ext JS, Spry, Yahoo, Scriptaculous, etc. Interesting that the page displaying the grid uses jQuery – not sure if that’s an endorsement or not. View Grid>>
Top 10 jQuery Plugins and Resources
jQuery has gone beyond just simplifying the use of javascript. It has also provided the ability for creating modules and plugins that can be easily be shared and integrated into any site using jQuery.
Here’s my top 10 favorite jQuery Plugins:
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Flash vs Javascript (jQuery) Pros and Cons
Until the availability of Javascript libraries such as jQuery and MooTools adding animation and interactive features that don’t require reloading a web page were out of reach for many web designers/developers unless they used Flash.
This was largely due to Javascript implementations not being consistent in major browsers. Without using a Javascript library you need extensive knowledge about the inconsistencies between the browsers and extensive knowledge about Javascript in order to work around them.
jQuery and MooTools offer a library of routines that are cross browser compatible which greatly reduces the learning curve. These libraries also offer functions to handle many routine tasks making Javascript programming faster and easier to learn.
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