jQuery for Web Designers

Course details

JavaScript is the programming language of the web. But some problems are a little difficult to solve using 100% pure JavaScript. jQuery closes most of the gaps, and does it so well that a huge number of developers now use jQuery to create some of the coolest front-end plugins around. This course will help web designers learn how to use jQuery's core library and plugins to create richer, more usable sites—faster and more efficiently than with JavaScript alone. It features real-world examples and some easily learned best practices, while covering jQuery basics such as functions, classes, event binding, and data manipulation. Author and developer Joe Chellman shows how to install and customize popular plugins and offers some compelling use cases for jQuery-based (vs. CSS-based) animation.

Learning objectives
When to use jQuery
Installing jQuery
Setting up functions
Using jQuery classes
Modifying the DOM
Event binding
Reading and setting values
Integrating plugins
Animating websites with jQuery

Concepts

Introduction

Welcome
What you should know
How to use the exercise files
Challenges

jQuery Introduction

jQuery is a JavaScript library
When to use jQuery
Alternatives to jQuery
Which version to use
How to install jQuery
Reference Materials

Essential Concepts

Set up functions
Select elements
Shorter code with chaining
Use classes
Modify the DOM
Challenge - Form feedback
Solution - Form feedback

It's Easier in jQuery

Event binding
Read and set values
Attributes and properties
Challenge - Dynamic contact form
Solution - Dynamic contact form

Integrate a Plugin

Build a gallery with Colorbox
Initialize the plugin
Change gallery options
Challenge - Convert to slideshow
Solution - Convert to slideshow

Animation

JavaScript or CSS for animation
Simple animations
Animate numeric properties
Easing
Enhance a shopping cart with animation
Challenge - Improve the animation
Solution - Improve the animation

Conclusion

Next steps - Plugins
Next Steps - jQuery
Next Steps - JavaScript