jQuery vs javascript

Question

I actually tried to have a normal objective discusssion over pros and cons of:

1. Using a framework over pure javascript and
2. jQuery vs. others,

Since jQuery seems to be easiest to work with with the quickest learning curve. However, some people just don't understand it and think that I'm starting yet another flame (what I am not). I am actually voting to reopen this question.

Also I'm really interested in:

• Does jQuery heavily rely on browser sniffing? Could that be a potential problem in the future? Why?
• I found plenty JS-selector engines, are there any AJAX and FX libraries?
• Is there any reason (besides browser sniffing and personal "hate" against John Resig) why jQuery is wrong?

jQuery actually, as most used, stands for other frameworks also.

Answer 1

JavaScript is an independent language and can exist on its own. jQuery is a JavaScript library. It would not have been invented had JavaScript was not there. jQuery is still dependent on JavaScript as it has to be converted to JavaScript for the browser in-built JavaScript engine to interpret and run it.