Unshackling JavaScript: Vanilla JS Over Shims

by Hexagon, 2 minutes read vanilla-js javascript efficiency coding-paradigms

Vanilla JavaScript, in its pure and authentic form, enables developers to utilize the language's native capabilities, freeing them from the confines and redundancies of libraries like jQuery and Lodash. This article reveals the elegance of such native alternatives and advocates for purity in coding practices.



Table of Contents

  1. Unshackling JavaScript: Vanilla JS Over Shims
  2. Pitfalls of jQuery and Lodash
  3. Unveiling the Elegance of Native Alternatives
  4. Embracing the Advantages of Authentic JavaScript
  5. Conclusion
  6. Further Reading:

Unshackling JavaScript: Vanilla JS Over Shims

Vanilla JavaScript signifies the purity and robustness of the language, untainted by external libraries. This essence of JavaScript offers a realm where developers can explore and leverage the language's inherent capabilities, eliminating the need for cumbersome and redundant libraries like jQuery and Lodash.

Pitfalls of jQuery and Lodash

Despite the conveniences, these libraries are fraught with issues:

  1. Performance Overheads: Extensive library code impacts page load and execution times negatively.

  2. Modern Redundancies: Contemporary JavaScript natively supports many features offered by these libraries.

  3. Learning Obstacles: Overreliance on libraries may hinder the understanding of core JavaScript principles.

Unveiling the Elegance of Native Alternatives

DOM Interaction and Manipulation

  • Querying Elements

    • jQuery: $('.className')
    • Vanilla JS: document.querySelector('.className')

  • Adding Classes

    • jQuery: $(element).addClass('new-class')
    • Vanilla JS: element.classList.add('new-class')

  • Setting Attributes

    • jQuery: $(element).attr('disabled', true)
    • Vanilla JS: element.setAttribute('disabled', true)

  • Inserting HTML Content

    • jQuery: $(element).html('New Content')
    • Vanilla JS: element.innerHTML = 'New Content'

Array and Collection Management

  • Mapping Over Arrays

    • Lodash: _.map(array, function(item) { /*...*/ })
    • Vanilla JS: array.map(item => { /*...*/ })

  • Filtering Arrays

    • Lodash: _.filter(array, predicate)
    • Vanilla JS: array.filter(predicate)

  • Reducing Arrays

    • Lodash: _.reduce(array, reducer, initialValue)
    • Vanilla JS: array.reduce(reducer, initialValue)

Object Operations

  • Extending Objects

    • jQuery: $.extend({}, object1, object2)
    • Vanilla JS: Object.assign({}, object1, object2)

  • Object Value Iteration

    • Lodash: _.forEach(object, function(value, key) { /*...*/ })
    • Vanilla JS: Object.entries(object).forEach(([key, value]) => { /*...*/ })

Event Management

  • Event Listening
    • jQuery: $(element).on('click', function() { /*...*/ })
    • Vanilla JS: element.addEventListener('click', function() { /*...*/ })

Asynchronous Requests

  • Performing AJAX Requests
    • jQuery: $.ajax({ url: '/api', success: function(data) { /*...*/ } })
    • Vanilla JS: fetch('/api').then(response => response.json()).then(data => { /*...*/ })

Embracing the Advantages of Authentic JavaScript

Adopting Vanilla JavaScript allows developers to:

  • Enhance Performance: Removal of library overhead results in faster load and execution times.

  • Deepen Understanding: Direct interaction with JavaScript fosters profound knowledge and proficiency.

  • Cleaner, More Maintainable Code: Dependency-free codebases are more resilient and maintainable.

  • Security and Modernity: Leveraging modern, native solutions ensures security and keeps developers up to date with the latest advancements.

Conclusion

Vanilla JavaScript, with its myriad of sophisticated, native solutions, empowers developers to code more efficiently and maintainably, enabling a departure from the dependencies and redundancies of jQuery and Lodash.

For more insights into JavaScript and its evolution, please refer to:

Further Reading:

Harden Your Linux Server Using These Foundational Measures Getting Started with Bun: A Blazing Fast Runtime for JavaScript