jQuery is a JavaScript library that simplifies client-side scripting of HTML documents. It was created to make it easier to navigate and manipulate web page elements using JavaScript, and to simplify the process of developing dynamic, interactive web pages. jQuery provides a range of functions and features that can be used to add animations, handle events, manipulate HTML and CSS, and interact with server-side scripts. It is widely used and supported, and has become a popular choice for web developers who want to create dynamic and interactive websites.

Why we use jquery:

We use jQuery because it simplifies and enhances the process of creating dynamic and interactive web pages. It provides a wide range of functions and features that enable developers to easily manipulate and traverse the HTML document, handle events, perform animations, and communicate with server-side scripts. jQuery simplifies the code required for common tasks, reduces the amount of repetitive code that needs to be written, and provides cross-browser compatibility. In short, jQuery saves time and effort, and makes it easier to create dynamic, interactive web pages.

Major versions of jQuery:

  1. jQuery 1.x: The original version of jQuery that was released in 2006. It includes support for older browsers and has been widely used in production environments.

  2. jQuery 2.x: A newer version of jQuery that was released in 2013. It drops support for older browsers such as Internet Explorer 6, 7, and 8, and focuses on modern browsers.

  3. jQuery 3.x: The latest version of jQuery that was released in 2016. It is backward-compatible with jQuery 2.x, and includes new features and improvements. jQuery 3.x also drops support for older browsers such as Internet Explorer 9 and 10.

Key features of jQuery:

  1. DOM manipulation: jQuery makes it easy to select and manipulate elements in the HTML DOM using a simple syntax, which is one of its most popular features.

  2. Event handling: jQuery provides a comprehensive set of methods for handling events, such as mouse clicks, keyboard input, and touch events.

  3. AJAX support: jQuery simplifies the process of making asynchronous HTTP requests using AJAX, which allows web pages to update content without refreshing the entire page.

  4. Animations: jQuery provides a suite of built-in effects and animations, such as fade in/out, slide in/out, and animate, that can be easily applied to elements on the page.

  5. Cross-browser compatibility: jQuery is designed to work across different web browsers, ensuring consistent behavior across different platforms.

  6. Plugin architecture: jQuery has a plugin architecture that allows developers to extend its functionality by creating custom plugins, which can be easily shared and reused.

  7. Chainable syntax: jQuery uses a chainable syntax, which allows developers to chain together multiple methods in a single statement, making code more concise and readable.

Overall, jQuery simplifies the process of creating dynamic and interactive web pages, and has become a popular choice for web developers looking to streamline their development workflows.