jQuery is a fast small and feature-rich JavaScript library. It makes things like HTML document traversal and manipulation event handling animation and Ajax much simpler with an easy-to-use API that works across a multitude of browsers. With a combination of versatility and extensibility jQuery has changed the way that millions of people write JavaScript.

jQuery can be easy or challenging depending on your experience with JavaScript HTML CSS and programming concepts in general. In addition to these articles you can read about the history of jQuery and the licensing terms that apply to jQuery projects. You can also make a donation to help the jQuery team continue to improve jQuery.

One important thing to know is that jQuery is just a JavaScript library. All the power of jQuery is accessed via JavaScript so having a strong grasp of JavaScript is essential for understanding structuring and debugging your code. While working with jQuery regularly can over time improve your proficiency with JavaScript it can be hard to get started writing jQuery without a working knowledge of JavaScript's built-in constructs and syntax.
jQuery is a cross-platform JavaScript library designed to simplify the client-side scripting of HTML. jQuery is the most popular JavaScript library in use today with installation on 65% of the top 10 million highest-trafficked sites on the Web. jQuery is free open-source software licensed under the MIT License.[1]

jQuery's syntax is designed to make it easier to navigate a document select DOM elements create animations handle events and develop Ajax applications. jQuery also provides capabilities for developers to create plug-ins on top of the JavaScript library. This enables developers to create abstractions for low-level interaction and animation advanced effects and high-level theme-able widgets. The modular approach to the jQuery library allows the creation of powerful dynamic web pages and Web applications.

The set of jQuery core features—DOM element selections traversal and manipulation—enabled by its selector engine (named "Sizzle" from v1.3) created a new "programming style" fusing algorithms and DOM data structures. This style influenced the architecture of other JavaScript frameworks like YUI v3 and Dojo later stimulating the creation of the standard Selectors API.

Microsoft and Nokia bundle jQuery on their platforms. Microsoft includes it with Visual Studio for use within Microsoft's ASP.NET AJAX and ASP.NET MVC frameworks while Nokia has integrated it into the Web Run-Time widget development platform
Step 1:
How This Course Will Work
Let's get you started on the right foot.
Step 2:
Javascript Basics
A deep dive back into the basics to make sure you've got the proper foundation for what's coming next.
Project:
On Screen Calculator
Get warmed up with some JS calisthenics and by building an on-screen calculator.
Step 3:
jQuery Basics
Another deep dive into the basics this time focusing on using jQuery to manipulate elements on the page.
Project:
Manipulating the DOM with jQuery
Create a single-page restaurant app completely using Javascript and jQuery.
Step 4:
Organizing Your Code and More
Here we'll cover everything from using best practices for organizing your code to helpful libraries and security.
Events Effects and Widgets
Events drive just about everything you'll do with Javascript in the browser. We'll take a closer look at how they work and the kinds of things that they allow you to do.
Step 1:
Working with Events and Effects
Learn how to use events to drive your user experience.
Project:
jQuery and the DOM
Build a Snake game just like you probably played in 2-color on your first cell phone.
Step 2:
Using jQuery UI to Build Widgets