I know that frameworks such as React and Vue have taken over most of the mindshare, but I still find jQuery easier to use and often more productive, especially for smaller websites.
Even when using a framework I usually include jQuery to smooth out the edges where the framework does not behave as I would have expected, or seems to make implementing a part of the intended UX awkward or complicated.
Is anybody else still relying on jQuery in some capacity, and if so, what value do you get out of it? Do you use it along with one of the major frameworks, or together with smaller libraries? And do you plan on dropping it soon?
In hindsight I have been guilty of resume-padding and falling prey to hype by choosing to build on technology not appropriate to the problems at hand. And I find myself reverting back to basics, with bits of new tech sprinkled in.
My reversions:
I can do this because I have chosen to work on niche problems and smaller markets. Scale is not my issue, even in very successful scenarios.I see jQuery will have a place in my stack for some time to come. It just works (tm), and it plays well when I need to level-up with wither intercooler or yes -- backbone.
Another benefit is that it is a low barrier to entry for junior developers. It allows me to establish a baseline knowledge, and then mentor other things like workflow, code structure, and architectural things rather than chasing weird configuration things inside of webpack or the taskrunner-du-jour.