When to Use a jQuery Plugin and When to Write Your Own
Decide when a jQuery plugin is worth using, and when a small custom script is safer, clearer, easier to maintain, and less likely to leak assumptions.
Articles, page 28 of 29
Articles from more than two decades of building, rebuilding, debugging, and leading web projects.
When to Use a jQuery Plugin and When to Write Your Own. 
Five Tips on How to Be a Good Web Developer. Five Tips on How to Be a Good Web Developer
Five habits of a good web developer, covering clean code, performance, testing, collaboration, curiosity, standards, and communication beyond code.
Dynamically Create a Script Element with JavaScript. Dynamically Create a Script Element with JavaScript
Create script elements dynamically with JavaScript, setting src, choosing head, or body placement, loading external scripts, and understanding execution timing.
How to Read JavaScript Errors and Stack Traces. How to Read JavaScript Errors and Stack Traces
How to read JavaScript errors and stack traces in the browser, including common error types, line numbers, call stacks, and a practical debugging workflow.
Pass by Value vs. Reference in JavaScript. Pass by Value vs. Reference in JavaScript
Pass by value vs. reference in JavaScript explained clearly, including why objects seem shared, how reassignment differs from mutation and common beginner bugs.
Accessing a Random Element from an Array Using JavaScript. Accessing a Random Element from an Array Using JavaScript
Pick a random array element in JavaScript with Math.random(), safe index calculation, reusable helpers, and notes on real interface randomisation.
Why Hiring a Local Web Developer Near You Matters. Why Hiring a Local Web Developer Near You Matters
Local hiring in Brighton or London can support communication, tailored solutions, prompt help and the local economy; remote‑first work may also be suitable.
Get the Number of Years Between Two Dates with PHP and JavaScript. Get the Number of Years Between Two Dates with PHP and JavaScript
A common web development task: get the number of years between two dates. I discuss how to do this with PHP in the back‑end, or front‑end with JavaScript.
Using data-* Attributes and dataset in JavaScript. Using
data-*Attributes anddatasetin JavaScriptUse data attributes and dataset in JavaScript to connect HTML and behaviour cleanly, handle camelCase mapping, event delegation, and string values.
Writing JavaScript That Still Works Without jQuery. 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.
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.