Adoption of JavaScript and JavaScript Libraries and Frameworks
We hope you bear with us the constant reflection on the Web few years back. Few years back JavaScript was not highly regarded as a programming language. Mainly seen as a way to blink HTML code and generate hover effects on links. One thing changed all this: the introduction of the XMLHttpRequest object. This single element opened the way for external data within JavaScripts and, as they say it, the rest is history.
In the past few years, all kinds of JavaScript libraries and frameworks have seen the light of day. Some of them are invaluable when working with JavaScript. They can cut development time of scripts enormously and some make coding with JavaScript a pleasure and fun.
We decided it was time to find out whether popular Web sites that cover new Web technology and generate buzz in the industry are using JavaScript. We also wanted to know if they are also using some of the fantastic JavaScript libraries and frameworks.
This is a small study (100 sites), but they are all considered popular and highly regarded in the industry. We visited all Web sites and ninety-five percent of them were successful visits. The footprints of JavaScript libraries can be tricky to identify and only three were identified by name. This is not exact science, just a glimpse of possible adoption, but interesting enough.
Related data table:
| Script/Type | Average | Percentage Found |
|---|---|---|
| JavaScript General | 6.34 | 94.74 |
| jQuery | 0.42 | 17.89 |
| Prototype | 0.12 | 10.53 |
| MooTools | 0.07 | 7.37 |
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