jQuery 4.0.0 Enters Beta Version: A Look at the Future of the Popular JavaScript Library
In an exciting development for web developers and JavaScript enthusiasts, jQuery 4.0.0 has entered the beta version. The jQuery Core Team Lead, Timmy Willison, announced this significant milestone on February 6th, and it has been met with great anticipation from the community.
jQuery 4.0.0 has been in the works for quite some time, and the team is thrilled to finally release it. This latest version brings with it a host of bug fixes, performance improvements, and some notable changes that developers should be aware of.
One of the standout features of jQuery 4.0.0 is its decision to drop support for Internet Explorer 10 and older versions. While the team initially planned to part ways with Internet Explorer 11 after Microsoft ended support in 2022, they decided to push this change to version 5 to avoid any further delays in the release of version 4.
In addition to dropping support for older browsers, jQuery 4.0.0 also embraces modern browser behavior and specifications. The library now uses ES modules and has switched from RequireJS to Rollup for packaging. This shift allows for more efficient code organization and streamlined development.
Another significant change in jQuery 4.0.0 is the removal of 13 deprecated functions. These functions either had always been intended for internal use or now have native equivalents in all supported browsers. By removing these deprecated functions, the jQuery team aims to improve code quality and maintain compatibility with current web standards.
While some may question the necessity of jQuery in today’s web development landscape, statistics tell a different story. According to NPM, jQuery 3.7.1, released in August 2023, boasts over 9 million weekly downloads and has more than 20,000 dependent packages. Additionally, BuiltWith reports that over 78 million websites currently use jQuery, making it one of the most widely adopted JavaScript libraries in existence. W3Techs further supports this claim by stating that jQuery is used by 94.4% of all websites whose JavaScript library they know, accounting for 77.1% of all websites.
One of the reasons behind jQuery’s enduring popularity is its integration with various platforms and content management systems. Notably, it is bundled in WordPress Core and is an essential component of numerous themes and plugins. While WordPress has made efforts to reduce its dependency on jQuery with the introduction of React-based Gutenberg, the CMS still relies heavily on the library. WordPress developers are encouraged to move away from jQuery to improve performance, but a TRAC ticket opened after the announcement of jQuery 4.0.0 suggests that WordPress Core will be looking to implement this new version.
jQuery’s longevity and widespread usage have caught the attention of industry experts and organizations devoted to open-source software. The Open Source Security Foundation (OpenSSF) Project Alpha-Omega has awarded jQuery a $350k grant to help modernize its consumers and code, reducing potential security incidents. With backing from industry giants like the Linux Foundation, Microsoft, Google, and Amazon, as well as support from the OpenJS Foundation, jQuery seems poised to continue thriving in the ever-evolving web development landscape.
So, whether you’re a seasoned developer or just starting out, jQuery 4.0.0’s beta release marks an exciting milestone in the history of this influential JavaScript library. As it adapts to modern browser standards and addresses security concerns, jQuery remains a valuable tool for developers worldwide. The future looks bright for jQuery as it continues to shape the web and move the industry forward.
