Top 21 JavaScript Libraries You Need To Know

So, let us start exploring different libraries that are beneficial when it comes to efficient development. Although these libraries provide a wide range of functionalities, each js library has a purpose of its own. So, without waiting any further, let us get right into today’s topic!

• JavaScript Libraries for DOM Manipulation

DOM or Document Object Model manipulation is a way of modifying the content, style, or structure of web pages. DOM represents the document structure (HTML structure) as an object tree of DOM attributes that can be altered with the help of Javascript to provide a dynamic look to the page. Libraries that you can use for this purpose are:

• jQuery

jQuery is a lightweight legacy library that is fast and widely used. Performing DOM Manipulation with the help of jQuery is simple and easy because of its rich features. Some of the features of jQuery are given below.

features of jQuery:

1. It has an easy learning curve because of its CSS-like syntax.

2. Can be used for event handling and adding animations to the web pages.

3. It provides a powerful API for DOM manipulation and can be extended by using different plugins as well.

4. jQuery also offers cross-browser compatibility and maintains consistency across different platforms.

• Umbrella JS

If you are looking for an alternative to jQuery, then Umbrella JS is the right library for you. It is a lightweight and performant library that focuses on clarity and performance compared to larger frameworks.

Features of umbrella js:

1. It provides DOM traversal methods that allow us to select, traverse, filter, and manipulate HTML elements on a web page.

2. Supports event handling and enables response to user interactions like clicks, hovers, or form submissions.

3. It also supports AJAX functionality to support asynchronous requests and is performance-optimal.

• JavaScript Libraries for Front-End

Many libraries are designed to make the front-end or user experience better by providing dynamic functionalities and interactive user interfaces. Let’s see some of the popular JavaScript libraries for the front end.

• React

React is one of the most popular javascript libraries that is used across the globe by developers to create web pages and web applications that are interactive and dynamic. It is designed and maintained by Meta. Let’s see some of its features.

Features of react:

1. It has a component-based architecture that allows developers to create encapsulated UI components, further allowing reusability and maintainability.

2. Scalable and uses a declarative approach for defining components based on their current stage.

3. Component lifecycle methods in React allow tasks like fetching data, state management, and maintaining resources at various points during a component’s lifecycle.

4. React utilizes virtual DOM for an efficient interface updation, thus, improving performance.

• Vue js

Vue js is another open-source js library that is used for frontend development. It is highly scalable and can handle more complex functions. It is a progressive JS framework that is also widely used for front-end operations.

features of vue js:

1. Vue also has a component-based architecture like React.

2. Virtual DOM optimization and Vue templates help in developing interfaces at a faster rate.

3. One of its unique libraries ‘Vue Router’ allows the creation of single-page applications with client-side routing facility.

4. It is flexible and can be integrated with other tools to build fully progressive web applications for your web browser.

• JavaScript Libraries for Data Visualization

Visualization of data is a process by which we can graphically represent information in the form of charts, graphs, and more so that we can gain better insights from it.

JavaScript also provides us with some libraries and frameworks that allow us data handling and visualization facilities. These are:

• D3.js

D3 or Data-Driven Documents is another powerful js library that enables us to create custom elements for visualization. It is open-source and was developed in 2011. It is flexible and used to add dynamic data-driven visualizations to your websites.

features of d3.js:

1. D3.js is a fast and scalable JavaScript library that can handle large and complex datasets efficiently.

2. Its data-driven approach includes data binding and data transformation techniques that allow easy manipulation and dynamic visualizations while also supporting animations and interactions.

3. DOM manipulation in D3.js also enables the creation of custom elements for intuitive interfaces.

• Chart.js

Chart.js is a simple library that can be used in your JS code to create beautiful charts and visualization for data analysis. This javascript library is open-source and easy to use. Some of the useful features of Chart.js are:

Features of Chart.JS:

1. It offers a variety of charts like bar charts, pie charts, radar charts, etc that are customizable and convenient to use in your web applications.

2. Provides an efficient API that helps in adding responsive and interactive charts that can speed up the web development process. if you wish to learn how JavaSciprt in Web Development works, you can check out our article.

3. It is highly extensible and also supports animations and other effects for more dynamic and interactive behavior.

• JavaScript Libraries for Real-Time Communication

JavaScript libraries and frameworks also provide us with a medium through which we can communicate with others in real time. You can send and receive messages in real-time by using the following libraries. Let’s read further.

• Socket.io

It is a JavaScript library that is used to establish real-time, bidirectional communication between different clients and servers. You can build projects like real-time chat applications, live dashboards, etc by using socket.io in your JS file of code. Let’s see some of its features.

features of socket.io:

1. It utilizes web sockets to create a low-latency connection between the client and server to facilitate real-time data exchange.

2. Socket.io uses an event-driven approach for communication that allows a simplified way of data exchange as clients and servers can emit and listen to events.

3. Middlewares is also supported by socket.io which enables developers to include custom logics for authentication, communication, and validation.

4. It is a highly scalable JavaScript Library.

• SockJS

SockJS is another JavaScript library that allows communication between client and server in real-time. It’s an alternative to socket.io and also provides low-latency, full duplex, or cross-browser functionality.

Features of SOCKJS:

1. It is lightweight and easy to use.

2. Scalable and can be used for handling multiple concurrent tasks efficiently.

3. It supports bidirectional communication similar to web sockets and is suitable for fault tolerance as well.

• JavaScript Libraries for Animations

Let us now have a look at some JavaScript libraries that can help enhance our web apps and websites with cool animations and other effects. You can create visually appealing user interfaces with the help of the following libraries and frameworks.

#9 Three.js

Three.js is a JavaScript library that is used for adding amazing 3D designs, graphics, and animations to your web apps. Let us know about some of its features below!

Features Of THREE.JS:

1. It provides a powerful yet simple API to create and render 3D scenes in web browsers.

2. Supports multiple web browsers like Chrome, safari, edge, firefox, etc, and is also cross-platform compatible.

3. It allows developers to create dynamic and intuitive 3D experiences in the form of keyframes, shadows, loading animations, and more functionality.

• Velocity.js

Forget lazy loading with Velocity.js! It is a lightweight JavaScript Library that provides us with smooth and speedy animations to give a more dynamic look to our website using JavaScript. Let us see the features of Velocity.js.

Features Of VELOCITY.JS:

1. It is open source, fast, and prioritizes high performance by using hardware-accelerated CSS features of transitions and animations.

2. Velocity’s chainable syntax makes it easier to define complex animations.

3. Add scroll animations or SVG animations to your JS code using velocity.js

4. It can be used for both client and server-side use.

• Anime.js

Looking for cool animations to add to your web development project? Do you want a hassle-free process? Then you should try out the anime.js javascript library for this purpose. Why? Read below!

features of anime.js:

• Include DOM attributes, CSS properties, and JS objects in your user interfaces with the help of anime.js

• It is cross-platform compatible and can also work across various web browsers.

• Anime.js is also lightweight and dependency-free. It focuses on high performance and can help in developing complex animations easily as well.

• JavaScript Libraries for Form Validation

When a user submits some information as a ‘form’, we need to verify if it meets certain criteria or constraints. This process is known as form validation in JavaScript. Some libraries and frameworks exist for common tasks like this. Let’s have a look!

• Parsley

This javascript library is powerful and your ultimate solution for performing tasks like form validation. The parsley library by js helps make the job of validation easier by dynamically adjusting web forms and providing instant results. Here are some of its features.

Features of PARSLEY.JS:

1. It provides an intuitive DOM API where all you have to do is write your requirements inside HTML tags and let the library do its job.

2. Automatically detects modifications in forms and performs dynamic validation accordingly.

3. It is open source, UX-focused, and also provides a large range of in-built validators like the AJAX validator.

4. Strongly reliable and is prone to fewer bugs.

• Bouncer.js

Bouncer.js is another lightweight javascript library that is used for validation tasks on the client side. Some of its features are listed below.

Features Of BOUNCER.JS:

1. It offers extensive options for validation like required fields, email validation, numeric validation, custom patterns, and more.

2. You also have the option to customize your error messages for each rule which provides the users with clear feedback of what kind of input they should enter.

3. It interacts with the user input and performs validation in real-time.

4. Doesn’t have any external dependency which makes it easier for integration.

• JavaScript Libraries for Interactive Maps

Do you wish to add maps that you have on your mobile devices and modern browsers in your JavaScript project? You’re in luck! You can build user interfaces with interactive maps using the following in your code.

• Leaflet

Are you working on a project that requires maps or geolocation facilities? Why don’t you use leaflet.js? It is lightweight and also suitable for mobile devices. Let’s read about its features below!

Features Of LEAFLET.JS:

1. Include interactive maps with customizable features like CSS popups, HTML markers, and more.

2. Supports cross-browser functionality and is compatible with modern browsers like Chrome, Safari, Firefox, etc. It can also be used for mobile browsers.

3. You can add interactive features in addition to default features like drag panning with inertia, scroll wheel zoom, pinch-zoom on mobile, keyboard navigation, etc.

• Fabric.js

You can create and customize JavaScript HTML5 canvas elements using this simple yet powerful library. Fabric.js is an open-source software library that offers us a wide range of features for the manipulation or creation of interactive maps.

FEATURES FOR FABRIC.JS:

1. Canvas-based rendering allows users to draw or manipulate vector graphics to create custom map elements.

2. Use primitive shapes and lines to create paths and various geographical features on maps.

3. Layer management in fabric.js allows the organization of map elements to different layers.

• JavaScript Libraries for Data Manipulation and Utility

Are you willing to learn more about libraries and frameworks offered by javascript? Let us now learn about the libraries that are used for data manipulation in JS. Let’s explore more!

• Lodash

Lodash is a library provided by javascript that makes it easier to work with math notations, numbers, arrays, strings, etc. Using Lodash in your JS programming language project, ensures modularity and performance. Features of lodash are given below:

features of lodash:

1. Simplifies data manipulation operations like iterating objects, modifying and sorting arrays, and other such features.

2. It helps in writing better code that is maintainable and concise.

3. It also simplifies mathematical tasks like binding, debouncing, constraining, etc.

• Underscore.js

Another utility library by JS is underscore.js which helps in handling programming-centric tasks. Let us have a look at its features.

features of underscore.js:

1. It follows a functional programming design approach.

2. Performs data manipulation operations on objects, arrays, strings, etc.

3. It is cross-browser compatible and works with Chrome, Firefox, Microsoft Edge, etc.

• Moment.js

The list of data manipulation libraries is incomplete without moment.js! This library helps in the manipulation, validation, and parsing of data and time operations. Some of its features are listed below.

Features Of MOMENT.JS:

1. Find multiple date and time formats using this library.

2. It provides multi-language support.

3. It is cross-browser compatible and runs on modern web browsers.

• JavaScript Libraries for Testing and Debugging

Apart from all the above-mentioned tasks, Js also provides ways for testing and debugging by offering us different libraries and JavaScript frameworks. Let’s read about these below so that we can help you with your debugging skills as well!

• Jest

The Jest framework offers us a delightful debugging experience that is focused on simplicity. You can implement it with projects that are developed using React, Vue, Angular, Node, and more.

features of jest:

1. It provides a great API and toolkit for testing that is well-documented and maintained.

2. Keep track of large objects using snapshots to ease the process.

3. Test isolation is provided using Jest.

• Mocha

Next on our list is Mocha which is a simple open source javascript framework for testing and debugging. Let us look at its features below!

Features of mocha:

1. It is used for asynchronous testing and can run on Node.js and your browser.

2. Extensible, flexible, and maps uncaught exceptions with the right test cases.

3. It has cross-browser support and provides a good JavaScript API for testing.

• Cypress

Cypress is another framework that is used for running, testing, and debugging your JavaScript code. Let us explore its features!

features of cypress:

1. You can test js apps in your browser and debug them visually.

2. It is highly extensible and also has a well-drafted documentation.

3. It allows you to gain insights from your web apps and perform parallel testing operations.

By now, I hope you have understood about each js library listed above. But, is it really necessary to learn JavaScript and use its libraries and frameworks?