jQuery

What is jQuery?

jQuery is a widely used JavaScript library that addresses a number of common needs when writing web-based applications. Prominently, these include manipulation of the DOM (document object model), event handling, and communication with the server via Ajax. It smoothed over many browser-specific quirks, providing a robust foundation for developers to build on and making cross-browser applications much more practical and achievable. While it's still in common use, improved browser implementations -- particularly with respect to CSS selectors -- and alternative paradigms for web app development -- such as shadow DOM and tree diffing -- have rendered some of its capabilities somewhat less critical than they used to be.