Writing JavaScript That Still Works Without jQuery
Write small JavaScript behaviours that work without jQuery, covering selectors, classes, events, feature checks, fallbacks, and easier migration paths.
Articles, page 28 of 28
Articles from more than two decades of building, rebuilding, debugging, and leading web projects.
Writing JavaScript That Still Works Without jQuery. DOM Traversal: closest() in Vanilla JavaScript and jQuery. DOM Traversal:
closest()in Vanilla JavaScript and jQueryUse closest() for DOM traversal in jQuery and vanilla JavaScript, replacing manual parent walking in menus, click handlers, and interactive UI cleanly.
Using classList in JavaScript: add(), remove(), toggle(), and contains(). Using
classListin JavaScript:add(),remove(),toggle(), andcontains()Use classList in JavaScript for add(), remove(), toggle(), and contains(), with cleaner DOM state updates, validation examples, and className cautions.
Progressive Enhancement with jQuery. Progressive Enhancement with jQuery
Use jQuery as an enhancement layer whilst keeping links, forms, navigation, and core page content usable without JavaScript, late scripts, or plugin failure.
!important in CSS. !importantin CSSUnderstand why !important in CSS creates cascade, specificity, consistency, and maintenance problems, plus when an override may still be defensible.
Handling Click Events in JavaScript. Handling Click Events in JavaScript
Handle click events in JavaScript with onclick and addEventListener, including vanilla alternatives to jQuery, event targets, and common interaction patterns.
DOMContentLoaded vs. load in JavaScript. DOMContentLoadedvs.loadin JavaScriptCompare DOMContentLoaded and load in JavaScript, including parsing, asset loading, script timing, selector failures, and when each event is useful.
Why querySelector Returns null in JavaScript. Why
querySelectorReturnsnullin JavaScriptDebug querySelector returning null in JavaScript by checking selector syntax, DOM timing, missing elements, search scope, and querySelectorAll differences.
How to Check an Element Exists with and Without jQuery. How to Check an Element Exists with and Without jQuery
Check whether an element exists with jQuery or vanilla JavaScript before running DOM code, avoiding null errors and fragile client‑side behaviour.
A Simple Popup Window Using jQuery. A Simple Popup Window Using jQuery
Opening a new browser window programmatically on‑click is very simple to achieve with jQuery, and no more complex to achieve with vanilla JavaScript too!
Setting CSS Blur Filter to Zero on a Retina Screen. Setting CSS Blur Filter to Zero on a Retina Screen
A bug in the WebKit engine that only affects website Retina screen devices means that setting a zero‑blur filter in CSS isn't as easy as it should be.
Button vs. Link: Native Semantics Before Custom Click Handlers. Button vs. Link: Native Semantics Before Custom Click Handlers
Use links for navigation and buttons for actions, preserving native focus and keyboard behaviour before adding custom click handlers or ARIA roles.
Safe DOM Insertion and Sanitisation. Safe DOM Insertion and Sanitisation
Choose between textContent and innerHTML safely, handle Internet Explorer's innerText fallback, and know exactly when untrusted HTML needs sanitisation.
Why removeeventlistener() Needs the Same Function Reference. Why
removeeventlistener()Needs the Same Function ReferenceUnderstand why removeEventListener needs the original callback reference, how anonymous functions differ, and what Internet Explorer required in 2010.
