Are there any future plans to create a version of datatables that is not dependent on jquery?

jscode

Are there any future plans to create a version of datatables that is not dependent on jquery? I love using datatables and I use it a lot. I also enjoy using jquery and jqueryui but I see more and more articles on how people say you should stop using jquery and use frameworks such as Angular instead. What are your thoughts on this? Is it ok to continue developing data-rich applications using jquery?

allan

Is it ok to continue developing data-rich applications using jquery?

The short answer: Yes. In my opinion, you should use the tools that let you get the job done. Angular, etc are superb, and you can use them alongside jQuery if you want - it isn't one or the other.

I think a lot of the "anti-jQuery" movement (if I can call it that) comes from the fact that a lot of what jQuery does and makes easy for us, can now be done with APIs that are native in the browser. For example instead of using $('a'), you could use document.querySelectorAll('a'). Similarly, IE / Edge uses W3C standard event handlers now, and Ajax can be done using the nice fetch API.

jQuery 3 reflects this - they have removed huge amounts of code that abstracted out issues with older browsers, while still providing us with the same jQuery API. jQuery 1 is still available for older browsers and they are interchangeable.

It would of course be perfectly possible to write a version of DataTables that doesn't depend upon jQuery - but it would significantly increase the development burden of DataTables since I'd then need to add code that would support the required abstractions back to IE8, add event namespaces, common Ajax handling, etc. It would probably save a few KB in the download - but development would be so much slower and/or APIs would need to change.

Currently no, I have no plans to write a version of DataTables that doesn't depend on some other library. That's not to say it won't happen in future, but at the moment I firmly believe that jQuery is still very useful, and a battle hardened piece of software that libraries such as DataTables can benefit from using.

Allan

rduncecb

I can't say anything about the future of datatables, I'm just a consumer of said excellent library

My view is to ignore what 'people' say about what to and not to use purely because it is the latest buzzword or framework. As Scotty from Star Trek says 'Use the right tool for the right job'

Angular and jQuery can both work together, there are wrappers to DataTable available for Angular to bring it into their world (although, the version for Angular 2 is somewhat immature and if you must upgrade to Angular 2 AND use DataTable you're dependent on another third party). I believe there are issues with large data sets and using angular's data binding with a datatable where they recommend dropping back to pure jQuery/DataTable).

jQuery is a great tool/API that is pure javascript that allows you to build tools/applications and integrate with a huge ecosystem outside of the restrictions of a particular framework. I personally prefer to build things from lower level tools but I'm not anti framework, am happy to use whatever suits the problem particular requirements for the now and perceived future of an application.

jscode

allan and rduncecb,
Thank you very much for responding. I agree that people tend to jump on the latest buzzword instead of using a proven technology that you know works in every browser and device and is completely supported and used by a large majority of programmers. My goal for every project is to choose technology that I feel will be around for many years before needing a rewrite. I use Datatables and Handlebars for every project I work on because they work well together and have a great community and are easy to learn and use. Handlebars works well for child rows. I feel confident in using Datatables and Handlebars for any project I work on.