Does it make sense for software developer to use jQuery when learning Javascript?

Question

It's often claimed that learning a lower-level language is a good foundation for any new developer. What about an experienced developer (say a C++ or Java guy) learning Javascript? in the same way should he learn using the raw language so he understands what's going on, and learn JQuery later, or use JQuery from the start as 'part of' Javascript?

Answer 1

I think it's worth spending a bit of time working on JavaScript without jQuery so you can appreciate just what jQuery brings you. But most of what you'll be learning in JavaScript (getElementById etc.) will be replaced by better jQuery functions, so don't spend too long in pure JavaScript.

I guess the important thing to realise is that a lot of what you do in JavaScript is actually just working with the DOM API. The JavaScript language is great, but the DOM API is RUBBISH. jQuery doesn't really abstract the language, just the API. So the distinction isn't between using JavaScript or using jQuery, it's more about using the DOM API vs using jQuery.

Answer 2

It's always good to understand the basics of 'raw' JavaScript. I would recommend learning basic JacvaScript first, then jQuery. It'll make jQuery easier once you know the basics of the language, and there are still quite a few scenarios where it's preferable to do parts of a code in regular JavaScript than the jQuery way.

You could still try to learn about both in parallel, but either way it is still important to understand JavaScript to really understand appreciate jQuery.

Answer 3

I am pretty new to JavaScript myself, and I had a few months to learn raw JavaScript before finding out about jQuery. I agree with GSto that learning raw is good, but don't spend to much time in it before looking at a framework.

Apart from that, I strongly recommend anyone building in Javascript to pick up a copy of Douglas Crockford's JavaScript: The Good Parts. Read it back to back and then keep it close to your computer!

JavaScript differs from C-like languages quite dramatically at some points...

EDIT: Crockford held a great talk at Øredev 2009. They have the whole talk in video on their site.

Answer 4

Learn Javascript first and about DOM, object literals, closures and currying. When you master these things you are ready to use a library.