Converting jQuery to JavaScript: Is It Really That Simple?

Discover how to successfully convert jQuery code to plain JavaScript with this practical guide. Learn about common pitfalls and best practices in the transition process.
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Converting jQuery to JavaScript: Is It Really That Simple?

In the world of web development, functionality, and performance are paramount. When maintaining or updating an old WordPress plugin, you may find yourself in a position where you need to convert jQuery code into plain JavaScript. One developer recently embarked on this journey and was pleasantly surprised to find that their converted code seemed to work right out of the box. However, they also raised some important questions about the integrity and performance of their new JavaScript code. Let's take a closer look at the conversion process and evaluate the differences between the original jQuery code and the newly minted JavaScript version.

Understanding the Original jQuery Code

The original jQuery snippet is designed to append reply links to nested comments as follows:

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

Key Features:

Handles DOMContentLoaded: Waits until the document is fully loaded before executing.

Iterates with jQuery's .each(): Loops through each 'reply' element efficiently.

Clones elements: Creates copies of reply buttons for specific comments.

Transitioning to Plain JavaScript

In converting the above snippet to plain JavaScript, the result was as follows:

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

Consequences of the Conversion:

Replaces .appendTo() with appendChild(): Only calls appendChild once per outer iteration, potentially affecting performance depending on the context of its use.

Key Differences to Note

While both codes achieve a similar outcome, here are some crucial differences that can impact performance and maintainability:

Multiple Appends vs Single Appends:

jQuery: Calls appendTo() potentially multiple times for matched '.comment-content' elements.

JavaScript: Calls appendChild only once per iteration, which might not reflect the same logic.

DOMContentLoaded Handling:

jQuery: The original code wraps everything inside a handler that waits for the document to load.

JavaScript: The conversion does not include this waiting feature, which could lead to issues if the script runs before the DOM is ready.

Finding the Last Element:

jQuery: Does not specify which element should be last, as it relates to the DOM structure itself.

Node Selection Specificity:

Flexibility with Element Types:

The original jQuery code does not rely on the specific type of the '.comment-content', whereas the JavaScript code assumes it's looking for 'div' elements only.

Conclusion

Converting jQuery to plain JavaScript can seem straightforward, especially if your first attempt works correctly. However, as we've outlined, several factors must be considered to ensure the functionality remains intact and efficient. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced developer, understanding these nuances enhances your coding practices and fosters better application performance. Moreover, if you're venturing into such translations, always conduct thorough testing in various browsers to ensure broad compatibility.

As you continue your development journey, don't hesitate to ask questions—this is how we learn and improve our techniques. Happy coding!