Trying Out jQuery and Prototype

This last week I had the opportunity to experiment with and compare two JavaScript libraries/frameworks, jQuery and Prototype. I’m familiar with Prototype (and the Prototype/ Scriptacolous combo) – I used it for projects in the past – but jQuery was new to me. I was looking for a library/framework to add some spice to my personal website, ryanpeterson.net.

Both offer great features and are simply outstanding. I enjoy how Prototype feels more like an extension of JavaScript. Any developer with JavaScript experience would probably – at least initially – have an easier time learning the Prototype/Scriptacolous combo than jQuery.

But I get the impression when playing with jQuery that it may be a bit more revolutionary, mature, and powerful. jQuery is inspired by Prototype – its author, John Resig, gives credit for this inspiration at jQuery.com – and has the advantage of building upon the ideas of Prototype. jQuery also has outstanding documentation.

But Prototype (and the Prototype/Scriptacolous combo) is older – and having been baked into Ruby-On-Rails – has received considerable attention. This has given it a large community.

For ryanpeterson.net I decided to use Prototype/Scriptacolous, for now at least. Its effects libraries had one key feature I needed, so I decided to go with it. I’ll be keeping a close eye on jQuery, however. I’m super excited about its potential and may switch to it at any time…