Javascript FAQ: Difference between revisions
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== What JavaScript library does Moodle use? == | == What JavaScript library does Moodle use? == | ||
=== JQuery === | === JQuery === | ||
{{Deprecated|version=3.8}} | |||
As of Moodle 3.8, the user of [[jQuery]] is generally discouraged and the use of Native or Vanilla Javascript is recommended. | As of Moodle 3.8, the user of [[jQuery]] is generally discouraged and the use of Native or Vanilla Javascript is recommended. | ||
Revision as of 03:05, 14 April 2021
What is JavaScript?
JavaScript is a scripting language widely used for client-side web development. It is also known by a number of other names including ECMAScript, and JScript (these are all the same thing but exist due to issues over the licensing of these names).
If you have a spare 27 minutes and would like a quick background on JavaScript and it's origins, see this video from Douglas Crockford 'JSeverywhere: Douglas Crockford - JavaScript, The World's Most Misunderstood Language'.
Where do I find general information about JavaScript?
Online resources:
Books:
- JavaScript: The Good Parts by Douglas Crockford
- JavaScript: The Definitive Guide, Fifth Edition by David Flanagan - Really the ultimate reference guide (nearly 1000 pages).
- The JavaScript Anthology: 101 Essential Tips, Tricks & Hacks by James Edwards & Cameron Adams - Promotes accessible JavaScript solutions by following the principles of progressive enhancement and unobtrusive scripting.
How is JavaScript used by Moodle?
- See Javascript.
Where do I find more information about JavaScript in Moodle?
- JavaScript Guidelines by Tim Hunt (work in progress)
- Use of JavaScript in Moodle discussion in the General developer forum
What JavaScript library does Moodle use?
JQuery
This feature has been marked as deprecated since Moodle 3.8
As of Moodle 3.8, the user of jQuery is generally discouraged and the use of Native or Vanilla Javascript is recommended.
Yahoo! User Interface Library (YUI)
Until Moodle 2.9, the Yahoo! User Interface Library (YUI) was the preferred javascript library. From Moodle 2.9 onwards, jQuery is the preferred javascript library.
Online resources:
- Yahoo! User Interface Library (YUI)
- YUI in the Moodle documentation
- Migrating YUI code to jQuery
Books:
- YUI 3 Cookbook by Evan Goer
- Maintainable JavaScript by Nicholas C. Zakas
Why are we moving away from YUI ?
The decision to begin the transition from YUI to JQuery was made here:
https://tracker.moodle.org/browse/MDL-47036
This is in response to Yahoos announcement that they will be ceasing all further development on YUI (although it is still maintained). http://yahooeng.tumblr.com/post/96098168666/important-announcement-regarding-yui
What does AJAX mean?
AJAX means "Asynchronous JavaScript and XML". It is a group of interrelated web development techniques used to create interactive web applications or rich Internet applications. Although XML is included in the acronym, AJAX is not a single technology but a group of technologies. In reality with modern JS, this tends to be JSON which is much more lightweight and easy to produce in PHP than XML.
See AJAX (Wikipedia) for general information and AJAX for information on AJAX and Moodle.
See also Firebug > Debugging AJAX with Firebug.
