Currently, the most popular Javascript framework for designers and developers is jQuery. It is used by countless websites (including every PAS publisher site). Here are 5 reasons (part II with 5 MORE reasons here) to use it:

1. Cross Browser Compatibility

Supports: IE6+, Firefox 2+, Safari 3+, Chrome, Opera 9+
With the variety of browsers and their related quirks, Javascript can quickly get frustrating. With jQuery, these inconsistencies are abstracted away and you can focus on the task at hand with a certain amount of confidence that it WILL work across browsers. This is much more rewarding than spending extra time debugging Javascript in Internet Explorer.

2. Documentation

Documentation Main Page: here
It doesn’t matter how great some piece of code is if you have no idea how to use it. The jQuery team addresses this with extensive Documentation. It is packed with useful sections: Tutorials, plugin repository, reference library, active forum and FAQ. Also, they have done a nice job organizing the site. Given the vast amount of information, it is still easy to navigate.

3. Lightweight Footprint

Size of 1.2.6 used on PAS sites: 30.3 KB
On most sites, an additional 30KB will not drastically affect page load. Also, developers have the option of accessing the library via Google:

PHP Code:

<script type="text/javascript" src="http://ajax.googleapis.com/ajax/libs/jquery/1.2.6/jquery.min.js"></script> 


This not only can improve page loads, but reduces server load. Since many sites use this method, users may already have the file cached.

4. Plug-ins: Extensible & Modular
Not only are there a LOT of plugins but there are a LOT of EXCELLENT plugins which I use frequently. Whether you need a banner rotator, modal window (for popups) or a dropdown menu, there are a variety of solutions the community has created. Many of these plugins have options you can easily change without hacking the core plugin, very nice indeed.

The way that these plugins add functionality via modular design is one big reason jQuery is so great. It allows you to load the basic library and progressively add functionality with plugins as needed. This reduces “code bloat” which slows page load times. Use only the code you need and no more.

5. It’s FREE
Free as in beer AND the freedom to edit/modify. Need I say more?