I'm currently a frontend engineer at a small startup led by a very experienced software engineer whose skills are more aligned with backend and systems design. His preference is to avoid modern JavaScript frameworks and instead use vanilla JavaScript with jQuery for our enterprise-level application. We built a multipage app using Vite as our build tool, and I've created a class-based system to make it feel more like React, but I'm increasingly concerned about whether this approach is viable going forward. I'm curious if there are other companies intentionally developing new applications using vanilla JavaScript and jQuery and what your experiences have been. Specifically, how are you managing modern development needs with this combination?
5 Answers
I know of some projects still using jQuery, but they’re mostly not new. For instance, there’s a platform I use that's rewriting its codebase but still sticking with jQuery. It’s a bit of a mixed bag; I find using vanilla JS alongside some custom libraries more manageable for bigger projects.
While we don’t use jQuery at all, we rely heavily on vanilla JS. It allows for greater optimization and efficiency right out of the box.
I work heavily with vanilla JS too, but I’d steer clear of jQuery. Most of the functionality jQuery provided is now standard in JS. It's great to have a solid foundation in vanilla JS—don't underestimate what you can build with it!
My current project is all vanilla JS with a focus on web components, which is powerful even if it’s not as flashy as some modern frameworks. We’ve opted for this approach primarily for maintainability and performance, especially in enterprise environments where stability is key.
Exactly! Web components can be super effective if done right, and they mitigate a lot of the headaches that come with heavier frameworks.
Have you thought about web components? They align with vanilla JavaScript and have gained traction in many companies. Some places are looking for developers with web component experience, which could benefit you.
Yeah, it seems like many are moving away from jQuery and opting for vanilla or other modern options. It's refreshing but also makes transitioning away from older techniques challenging.