toggleClass

toggleClass is a common function found in JavaScript libraries such as jQuery and MooTools, and it can also be implemented directly in vanilla JavaScript. Its primary purpose is to add a CSS class to an HTML element if it is not already present, and to remove the class if it is already present. This allows for dynamic toggling of styles or behaviors associated with that class.

When applied to an element, toggleClass checks for the existence of the specified class. If the class is found, it is removed. If the class is not found, it is added. This behavior makes it incredibly useful for interactive elements like buttons, navigation menus, or accordions, where a visual state needs to change based on user interaction. For example, a navigation menu might have a class added to it to make it visible when a "hamburger" icon is clicked, and removed to hide it again.

In jQuery, the syntax is typically $(selector).toggleClass("className");. In vanilla JavaScript, this can be achieved using the element's classList property: element.classList.toggle("className");. The classList API provides a clean and efficient way to manage classes on an element. ToggleClass simplifies the process of managing these state changes, eliminating the need for separate checks to add or remove classes, thereby making code more readable and maintainable.