10 Alternative and Capable JavaScript Frameworks (Part I)
For more adventurous developers looking for new or alternative js frameworks/libraries – there are some excellent frameworks outside the popular ones that’s worth checking out, but before you do that you might want to check out our first set of “promising” JavaScript frameworks. The last 10 will be on tomorrows post. Until then, enjoy!
1. SproutCore
Distinguishes itself by emphasizing its usage for bringing desktop application functionalities on the web. It’s got a healthy amount of easy-to-follow guides to get you going quickly and its own Google Group for your questions and for interacting with other SproutCore developers.
2. Spry
Is Adobe’s Ajax framework. One of the many distinctive features of Spry is its tight integration with Adobe products (such as Dreamweaver, Flash and AIR).
3. qooxdoo
Is an Ajax application framework that uses object-oriented JavaScript. It’s a framework that allows you to build a web application using JavaScript without worrying about HTML, CSS, and the DOM.
4. midori
Is a light-weight JavaScript framework. At its uncompressed state, it weighs in at only 45 KB (in comparison – jQuery in its minified state is 54KB). offers common functions you’d expect from an JavaScript framework such as cross-browser Ajax functions, the ability to use CSS selectors (as opposed to midori-specific syntax) for matching elements in the DOM, and animated effects.
5. UIZE (pronounced “you eyes”)
Is another JavaScript framework the emphasizes the creation of full-on rich internet applications (RIA) as opposed to basic effects and widgets/components on a web page. It already comes packed with “ready-to-go” widgets such as a date picker, a table sorter, progress bar, and color picker.
6. Fleegix.js
Has an excellent “events system” that helps you listen, manipulate, and fire off DOM event (such as mouseover’s, onclick, etc.).
7. Cappuccino
Is an open source framework that makes it easy to build desktop-caliber applications that run in a web browser.
8. Asana Luna
This framework features a lot of niceties including an evolved MVC architecture, pubsub, caching, routing and authentication.
9. ActiveJS
Is a JavaScript application framework that provides local and REST based data modeling and pure DOM view construction with back button and history support along with framework agnosticm and lack of external dependencies.
10. eyeballs.js
Is a slim JavaScript library designed to sit on top of a JavaScript framework, such as jQuery or Prototype.
