javascript libraries

[troytime]

Anyone out there using any cool, worth mentioning javascript libraries?

I've been using JQUERY for a few months now, i REALLY like it.

I've heard good things about Yahoo's js library, but haven't had any time to check it out.

 

[Beau]

Prototype and Scriptaculous are the ones I use more than anything else.

 

[GoatMonkey]

I've been using DWR for JavaScript to Java calls, and Moo.FX for some cool visual effects.

 

[fs5]

I have not looked at jquery much but ...

I would stay away from prototype, scriptaculous, dojo only because the documentation is bad and no working examples for you to learn from.

I recommend extjs.com and yui. They're well thought out libraries that include everything from utility functions to widgets. (Something scriptaculous doesn't give you).

Dojo on the other hand has a ton of widgets and functionality but is too bloated. Even the developers know that and are refactoring everything w/ dojo 0.9. But even the RC's for 0.9 are badly documented.

 

[Beau]

Originally posted by: fs5
...
I would stay away from prototype, scriptaculous, dojo only because the documentation is bad and no working examples for you to learn from.
...

never had a problem finding documentation for prototype or scriptaculous...

FYI, prototype is distributed with RoR and Wicket, so it is a proven library.

 

[stndn]

I'm starting to look into yui myself, although I can say I haven't gotten too far considering how limited my background in JS is..
But it looks more interesting than other I've seen, especially how it allows us to use the library as they are hosted in yahoo's own server -)

Haven't heard of prototypeJS before, so maybe I'll give it a look as well.


-stndn.

 

[fs5]

Originally posted by: Beau

Originally posted by: fs5
...
I would stay away from prototype, scriptaculous, dojo only because the documentation is bad and no working examples for you to learn from.
...

never had a problem finding documentation for prototype or scriptaculous...

FYI, prototype is distributed with RoR and Wicket, so it is a proven library.

Just because it's in RoR doesn't mean it's the best library to use. scriptaculous/protoype was what the RoR developers decided was best at the time. jQuery, YUI, and all the other libraries weren't even available then.

As for the documentation.... lets compare yui and scriptaculous drag and drop libraries:
http://wiki.script.aculo.us/sc...ulous/show/DragAndDrop
vs
http://developer.yahoo.com/yui/dragdrop/

examples:
http://wiki.script.aculo.us/sc...aculous/show/Sortables (3 on this page)
http://developer.yahoo.com/yui...es/dragdrop/index.html (9 here)

api doc:
http://wiki.script.aculo.us/sc...culous/show/Draggables
http://wiki.script.aculo.us/sc...culous/show/Droppables
http://wiki.script.aculo.us/sc...aculous/show/Sortables
vs
http://developer.yahoo.com/yui...s/module_dragdrop.html

The biggest roadblock for developers when picking an ajax library is good doco and working examples. You can have the best library in the world but if you have to spend 10 hours figuring out how to do things there's no point.

Now if you're past that learning curve w/ scriptaculous/prototype then I'd stick with them. But picking a new library for your company/team I would lean more towards a well documented solid library.