Zeptojs

Zepto.js is a lightweight JavaScript library designed as a smaller, faster alternative to jQuery for modern browsers, with a particular focus on mobile web development. It provides a jQuery-inspired API that covers common tasks such as DOM selection and manipulation, event handling, Ajax requests, and basic effects, while keeping the footprint and complexity low. The library aims to offer a familiar, modular approach to client-side scripting without the breadth of jQuery's full feature set.

Core features include a chainable API, a central Zepto object and $, support for event binding and delegation, manipulation utilities, and simple animation capabilities. Zepto is designed to be compatible with much of the jQuery-style code, enabling developers to adapt existing scripts to a lighter-weight footprint. The API is designed to be extensible through plugins, and its modular build system allows inclusion of only the components needed by a project.

Architecture and usage: Zepto emphasizes speed and a compact codebase by relying on modern browser capabilities and, where possible, native features. It typically uses a lightweight selector mechanism and avoids heavier dependencies. Zepto can be loaded via a script tag or integrated with module systems such as AMD or CommonJS, depending on the project setup. It is distributed as open-source software, with licensing that aligns with permissive terms, encouraging community contributions and plugin development.

History and ecosystem: Zepto originated in the open-source ecosystem as a mobile-oriented alternative to jQuery and gained popularity for projects requiring a small footprint. While not as actively maintained as jQuery in some periods, it remains a referenced option for lightweight DOM manipulation, event handling, and AJAX in environments where performance and size are critical.