As a hugely popular client-side scripting language, JavaScript does not need any introduction. In addition to being used as part of web browsers, JavaScript also controls the web browsers, effectuates user interaction, facilitates asynchronous communication, and delivers customized content to users. So most web developers use JavaScript to reduce the time and effort required for building large or complex websites. The web developers also have option to use several JavaScript frameworks to effectuate and speedup web development.

JQuery is a widely used cross-platform JavaScript library. Despite being open source, jQuery is easy to use, fast and concise. The API provide by jQuery works seamlessly on major web browsers. Also, the feature-rich JavaScript library makes it easier for web developers to manipulate HTML documents, handle events, create animations, select DOM elements, and build AJAX application. At the same time, jQuery can also be used for creating a variety of plug-ins by taking advantages of the JavaScript library.

Thus, the modern web developers have option to use JavaScript and jQuery either independently or side by side. However, it is also important for the programmers to understand some of the major differences between JavaScript and jQuery.

4 Important Differences between JavaScript and jQuery

1) Programming Language and Library

As a dynamic programming language, JavaScript supports object-oriented, structured, functional and imperative programming styles. The first-class functions and dynamic typing also make JavaScript categorized as a prototype-based scripting language. On the other hand, jQuery is a JavaScript library. The framework makes it easier for developers to accomplish a number of common web tasks like HTML document manipulation, event handling, animation, DOM element selection and AJAX application development.

2) Scripting Time

When a web developer decides to use straight JavaScript, he has to write additional code to accomplish several tasks. He further has to put extra time and effort for debugging and fixing browser compatibility issues. But jQuery allows developers to take advantage of existing scripting. So they can use the scripting existing in jQuery to accomplish a number of web tasks without writing longer lines of code. Thus, jQuery makes it easier for web programmers to save the time and efforts required for building modern websites and internet applications.

3) Simplification of Client-Side Scripting

As a client-side scripting language, JavaScript makes it easier for developers to effectuate user interaction and deliver customized content to users. But the developers have to write longer lines of code to write a web application in straight JavaScript. So web developers often use JavaScript development frameworks to accomplish the scripting functions easily and quickly. As a cross-platform JavaScript library, jQuery comes with features to perform the common scripting functionalities. So developers can use the library to simplify the client-side scripting of HTML. The plug-ins, widgets and UIs provided by the framework help web programmers to drastically reduce development time.

4) Performance

Both JavaScript and jQuery run quite faster on the latest web browsers and computers. But the speed of both JavaScript and jQuery is impacted by use of older web browsers. As JavaScript can access the DOM faster than jQuery, the programmers can easily curtail the overheads associated with the library. However, jQuery makes it easier for developers to build high-performing websites and internet application by availing functionality independent of web browsers.

On the whole, JavaScript is a dynamic and feature-rich programming language, whereas jQuery is a library of JavaScript code . The proficient JavaScript developers can easily use jQuery to accomplish a variety of tasks without writing longer lines of code. However, they can still use jQuery without being proficient in the popular client-side scripting language. That is why; the developers need to choose JavaScript or jQuery according to specific needs of the project.