5 Best JavaScript Frameworks

If you’ve noticed the fancy sliding/fading/dragging effects on websites and wanted to try them, it’s easier than ever with a JavaScript framework.

There are numerous JavaScript frameworks out there; some are aimed at those who are comfortable with JavaScript and others have the designer in mind, with easy to use solutions for web effects and Ajax implementation.

5 Major JavaScript Frameworks

Five major frameworks:

• jQuery
• Prototype
  • script.aculo.us (add-on for Prototype)
• MooTools
  • moo.fx (add-on for MooTools or Prototype)
• Yahoo! User Interface (YUI)
• Dojo

For web designers who aren’t natural JavaScript coders, it can seem a bit daunting to begin with.

However, below is a list of resources that can help new users get started.

jQuery

jQuery is a lightweight framework. It is fairly easy for new users to get started using jQuery by referring to the getting started section of the website.

jQuery is compatible with IE 6.0+, FF 2+, Safari 2.0+, Opera 9.0+ and is CSS3 compliant.

Official site: http://jquery.com/
Download code: http://docs.jquery.com/Downloading_jQuery
Getting started: http://docs.jquery.com/Tutorials:Getting_Started_with_jQuery
Tutorials: http://docs.jquery.com/Tutorials
Multiple File Uploads
Table Sorter
240 Plugins for jQuery

Prototype

Prototype is aimed at web application developers, making it a little difficult for non-JavaScript coders to get to grips with.

It is the framework of choice for many web developers, and is a powerful method for incorporating Ajax into web applications.

Official site: http://www.prototypejs.org/
Download code: http://www.prototypejs.org/download
Getting started: http://www.prototypejs.org/learn
Tutorials: Prototype Cheat Sheet
Form Validation
Dynamic Progress Bar
Edit In Place
Prototype Window

script.aculo.us

Although script.aculo.us isn’t strictly a JavaScript framework on it’s own, when combined with Prototype as an add-on, it enables users to add special effects to their web applications.

script.aculo.us offers a simple way to add effects rather than Ajax. Scriptaculous is fairly easy for new users to implement, with various demo’s on the website as well as third-party tutorials and demo’s available.

Official site: http://script.aculo.us/
Download code: http://script.aculo.us/downloads
Getting started: http://wiki.script.aculo.us/scriptaculous/show/Usage
Demos: http://wiki.script.aculo.us/scriptaculous/show/Demos

MooTools

MooTools is aimed at the intermediate-to-advanced JavaScript coder as stated on the official website. This is my personal favourite framework due to it’s small size, browser compliance and easy-of-use.

This well-supported framework has a host of tutorials and demo’s from third-party developers available on the net.

Official site: http://mootools.net/
Download code: http://mootools.net/download
Getting started: http://demos.mootools.net/
Tutorials: MooTools Demos
MooTools Cheat Sheet
MooRainbow
MediaBox
Slideshow
Dynamic Charts
Fancy Upload
Mocha UI
List Sorting
Reflection Effect
SlimBox
MooFlow
HotAjax

moo.fx (add-on for MooTools or Prototype)

This small add-on makes it a piece of cake to add effects to your web applications with either MooTools or Prototype.

Official site: http://moofx.mad4milk.net/
Download code: http://moofx.mad4milk.net/#download

Yahoo! User Interface (YUI)

This advanced JavaScript framework enables coders to write advanced DHTML and Ajax-driven web applications.

It is aimed at more experienced JavaScript coders rather than beginners.

Official site: http://developer.yahoo.com/yui/
Download code: http://sourceforge.net
Getting started: http://developer.yahoo.com/yui/#start
Dojo

Dojo is a versatile JavaScript framework that offers Ajax and JavaScript tools that enable users to add animation, interactivity and a better user experience to their web applications.

Official site: http://dojotoolkit.org/
Download code: http://dojotoolkit.org/downloads
Getting started: http://dojotoolkit.org/book/dojo-book-1-0
Demos: http://dojotoolkit.org/demos

Related Posts

• 10 jQuery Resources
• 10 jQuery Tutorials

---

Tags: dojo, Framework, JavaScript, jQuery, mootools, Prototype, Resources, YUI

Posted by Robin Parduez on Thursday, 21st February 2008 at 12:01. You can follow any responses to this post by subscribing below the comment box. Comments are welcome.

---