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Matthew Francis
6,967 PointsWhat does it mean to "host your own jQuery"?
Near the end of the video: https://teamtreehouse.com/library/optimize-javascript
It is mentioned that you can host your own jQuery; what's the meaning of it and what benefits does it give?
2 Answers
Austin Whipple
29,847 PointsjQuery, though powerful, is just a JavaScript file that you reference from your web page or app. It is often hosted on CDNs that you can link to. However, you can also download the jQuery file and store it with all of your other website assets. This would be the "self hosted" option. Simply put, you upload the file with the rest of your website and link to that location from your page or app.
More information available at https://jquery.com/download/
Ruben Ponce
Full Stack JavaScript Techdegree Student 12,035 PointsI believe that means to include the jQuery file within your web-app. As jQuery can be both requested with the jQuery CDN simply including a source into your HTML, or it can be included and within it's own file on your project.
Matthew Francis
6,967 PointsIsn't the CDN option better since it is supported by multiple servers, while if you self-host it, your location is the only server? Is there any benefits in self-hosting it?
Matthew Francis
6,967 PointsMatthew Francis
6,967 PointsIsn't the CDN option better since it is supported by multiple servers, while if you self-host it, your location is the only server? Is there any benefits in self-hosting it?
Austin Whipple
29,847 PointsAustin Whipple
29,847 PointsCan be better to use a CDN, yes. Benefit of self hosting is that you have complete control over the library and the version you're using and you're not dependent on any third party for performance or maintenance.
Matthew Francis
6,967 PointsMatthew Francis
6,967 PointsSo I can have complete control of the jQuery library? What does that mean? How does that differ from hosting it from the CDN option?
Austin Whipple
29,847 PointsAustin Whipple
29,847 PointsYou maintain the version you want to use at all times. Depending on your CDN, they may eventually stop supporting/hosting a particular library/plugin you're using. Not usually an issue if you keep everything current on your own, but not everyone is as diligent about that as others. It also helps reduce variables when developing/maintaining very large sites and/or large teams. Reducing the variables that could contribute to outages or code inconsistencies can be helpful there. Different solutions for different problems. I'd say most of the time you'd be fine using external CDNs.