How to use jQuery and other JavaScript Libraries in Sitefinity

JQuery and other Javascript libraries are becoming essential for modern web development.  Through these libraries developers are able to create rich interactive client-side web UI’s with minimal grief. 

Sitefinity 4 makes heavy use of JQuery and other Javascript libraries in its own administrative UI.  Consequently, JQuery is included in Sitefinity and it’s extremely easy to utilize in your own code:

<%@ Register Assembly="Telerik.Sitefinity" Namespace="Telerik.Sitefinity.Web.UI" TagPrefix="sf" %> <sf:ResourceLinks ID="resourcesLinks" runat="server"> <sf:ResourceFile JavaScript Library="JQuery" /> </sf:ResourceLinks>

This code can be added to your custom ASP.NET Control or Master Page and Sitefinity will ensure that a JQuery reference is added to your web page.

Here is a very simple ASP.NET User Control that utilizes some JQuery:

<%@ Control Language="C#" AutoEventWireup="true" CodeBehind="JQueryTestWidget.ascx.cs" %> <%@ Register Assembly="Telerik.Sitefinity" Namespace="Telerik.Sitefinity.Web.UI" TagPrefix="sf" %> <sf:ResourceLinks ID="resourcesLinks" runat="server"> <sf:ResourceFile JavaScriptLibrary="JQuery" /> </sf:ResourceLinks> <script type="text/javascript"> function jQueryDemo() {
        $(".jquery-test").show("slow");
    }
</script> <p><input id="demoButton" type="button" onclick="jQueryDemo();" value="Show hidden block" /></p> <p class="jquery-test" style="display: none;">
    This hidden text will be displayed when the button is clicked.
</p>

Check out our documentation for more examples.

Using additional Javascript libraries with Sitefinity

In addition to JQuery, Sitefinity also includes 2 other popular Javascript libraries:

1. MooTools
2. Prototype

References to these libraries can also be included quickly & easily:

<%@ Register Assembly="Telerik.Sitefinity" Namespace="Telerik.Sitefinity.Web.UI" TagPrefix="sf" %> <sf:ResourceLinks ID="resourcesLinks" runat="server"> <sf:ResourceFile JavaScriptLibrary="MooTools" /> <sf:ResourceFile JavaScriptLibrary="Prototype" /> </sf:ResourceLinks>

Lastly, it’s possible to include your own external Javascript references:

<%@ Register Assembly="Telerik.Sitefinity" Namespace="Telerik.Sitefinity.Web.UI" TagPrefix="sf" %> <sf:ResourceLinks ID="ResourceLinks1" runat="server"> <sf:ResourceFile Name="~/Widgets/myJavascript.js" /> </sf:ResourceLinks>

Parting Words

These Javascript frameworks are extremely useful and open a lot of opportunities for developers to add additional richness to their web sites.  In future blog posts, we’ll explore specific examples of how to use these frameworks to enhance your web site.

For more information, be sure to check out our documentation.