jQuery is a JavaScript library, according to the official documentation.

Many refer to it as a JavaScript framework, however, library is the correct term to use when describing it. As to why we’ll get to the difference between those two terms in a bit.

For now, all you need to know is that jQuery is designed to make working with JavaScript much easier, primarily when it comes to building websites.

Because of that, it’s important that you understand when you’re working with jQuery you are, in fact, writing in JavaScript. jQuery is not meant to replace JavaScript, nor does it act as a substitute. Instead, it’s only meant to enhance use of the language.

jQuery is structured so that you can call upon functions with a single line of code. If you were working with just JavaScript, you would have to write many lines of code to do the same thing. However, jQuery wraps all the general coding of a function into one package – which is why many refer to it as a framework – so that you can write programs and apps easily and more efficiently.

That said, you do not need to be an expert in JavaScript to work with jQuery. This is because it is designed to simplify working with the language, by shortening several complicated processes; like AJAX calls and DOM manipulation.

In terms of a framework, jQuery is not the only library of its kind. There are many other JavaScript frameworks that developers can use when building websites and apps.

What makes jQuery so popular, is that it’s remarkably powerful, has a wide range of plugins and commands, and is easy to use and read. One could even go so far as to say that jQuery syntax is attractive.