Main Difference
Both JavaScript and jQuery are programming language that are widely used by web developers. There are many differences between these two programming languages. The main difference between JavaScript and jQuery is that JavaScript is a high-level, dynamic, untyped, and interpreted language while jQuery is a cross-platform JavaScript library designed to simplify the client-side scripting of HTML.
JavaScript
JavaScript is a dynamic language that is the most important part of web browsers. The implementation of JavaScript allows client-side scripts to interact with the users control the browser alter the document content that is displayed and communicate asynchronously. It is also known as ECMAScript and is classified as a prototype-based scripting language with dynamic typing first-class functions. This multiple features makes it a multi-paradigm language, supporting object-oriented, imperative and functional programming styles. JavaScript is also capable in running on the platforms that are not web-based like PDF documents, site-specific browsers, and desktop widgets.
jQuery
jQuery is a cross-platform JavaScript library designed to simplify the client-side scripting of HTML. jQuery is the most popular JavaScript library in use today, with installation on over 60% of the top million highest-trafficked sites on the web. It is a free open-source software licensed under the MIT License. Syntax of it’s designed to make easier to navigate a document, select document object model (DOM) elements, create animations, handle events, and develop Ajax applications. It also provides capabilities for developers to create plug-ins on top of the JavaScript library. This enables developers to create abstractions for low-level interaction and animation, advanced effects and high-level, theme-able widgets.
Key Differences
- JavaScript is a scripting language that works with all web browsers while jQuery is only a framework that is a fast and concise JavaScript library that simplifies the HTML document.
- In case of using JavaScript you are required to writer your own script that can be time consuming. In case of using jQuery you are not required to write much scripting that already exists in libraries.
- JavaScript is combination of both ECMA script and DOM while jQuery has DOM.
- JavaScript has many processes in creating web-based applications while creating a web-based application with the help of jQuery has become easier.
- Animations are not possible using JavaScript while these can be easily created using jQuery.
- jQuery in itself is written in JavaScript.
- JavaScript was first appeared on 1995 while jQuery was initially released in August 26, 2006.
- jQuery support only Firefox, Google Chrome, Safari, Opera, and Internet Explorer while JavaScript is supported by all major web browsers without plug-ins.
- JavaScript is an Object Oriented Programming (OOP) language while jQuery is a cross-platform JavaScript library designed to simplify the client-side scripting of HTML.