Whether you are developing for Office 365, SharePoint 2013, ASP .NET, or another web option, these days you are going to need some “go-to” JavaScript libraries to enhance your solutions. No matter what project I am on, over the past few years these are the JavaScript libraries I have learned to use and integrate with great success: jQuery, SPServices, jqPlot, and DataTables. I highly recommend them all and suggest you check them out ASAP. Additionally, if you are a .NET SharePoint developer who wants to get up to speed with JavaScript and jQuery for SharePoint, this session from Rob Windsor is a must watch: http://blogs.msmvps.com/windsor/2014/07/28/session-recording-javascript-and-jquery-for-sharepoint-developers/.
1. JQuery
This is the “must have” JavaScript library for web development. It does a ton of useful things, is cross browser tested, and a lot of good libraries (plugins) are dependent on it. It is worth it for the cross browser functionality alone.
jQuery is a fast, small, and feature-rich JavaScript library. It makes things like HTML document traversal and manipulation, event handling, animation, and Ajax much simpler with an easy-to-use API that works across a multitude of browsers. With a combination of versatility and extensibility, jQuery has changed the way that millions of people write JavaScript.
2. SPServices
This jQuery plugin is a must have for SharePoint developers. It works for SharePoint 2007, 2010, 2013, and Office 365. Data access is so much easier with this plugin! And now there is a Visual Studio Intellisense file for SPServices!
SPServices is a jQuery library which abstracts SharePoint’s Web Services and makes them easier to use. It also includes functions which use the various Web Service operations to provide more useful (and cool) capabilities. It works entirely client side and requires no server install.
3. jqPlot
Whether you need to replace the missing Chart Web Part or you want an easy to use charting jQuery plugin, this is the library for you.
jqPlot is a plotting and charting plugin for the jQuery Javascript framework. jqPlot produces beautiful line, bar and pie charts with many features.
4. DataTables
And finally, this jQuery plugin (notice a trend?) is awesome for showing data in a table with tons of great features. Really enhances the functionality of the .NET tables or stands alone as a beautiful addition.
DataTables is a plug-in for the jQuery JavaScript library. It is a highly flexible tool, based upon the foundations of progressive enhancement, and will add advanced interaction controls to any HTML table.
I know there are a ton more out there but these are my favorites. Leave a comment with your “go-to” JavaScript libraries.