Jquery.click() vs onClick

javascript

event-delegation

performance

best-practices

byNikita Barsukov·Jan 23, 2025

For a cleaner, dynamic, and cross-browser event binding, use jQuery's .click(). It helps to keep your HTML and JavaScript separate, supports multiple event handlers, and handles event delegation for dynamically added elements:

// A click here is better than a click elsewhere... 😉
$("#myButton").click(function() {
  alert('Clicked via jQuery!');
});

The direct onClick attribute in HTML, though simple on the surface, intertwines HTML with JavaScript and supports only one handler per event.

<!-- Handle with care! I am old school 😅 -->
<button onClick="alert('Clicked via inline onClick!')">Click me!</button>

To maintain code cleanliness and flexibility, large vote for .click().

Quick Unbinding and speed chat

When it comes to unbinding events, jQuery offers the .off() method. Use it with .click() to achieve easy control over event listeners.

// "I wish I could unsee this." (event listener, probably)
$("#myButton").off().click(function() {
  alert("Memory leaks, meet my buddy .off()");
});

As for performance, pure JavaScript typically delivers better speeds than jQuery, particularly with addEventListener. That being said, all browsers are capable of surprising you on any given day.

// Speed is the name of the game
document.getElementById("myButton").addEventListener("click", function() {
  alert("Clicked at the speed of light with addEventListener!");
});

The art of event delegation and application maintenance

Event delegation is a beautiful script in jQuery repertoire. Using .on() with selectors deftly handles events on child elements dynamically added to the DOM:

// I was born ready...to delegate. 😎
$("#parentElement").on("click", ".childButton", function() {
  alert("Clicked via delegated jQuery!.on()");
});

Compared to inline onClick, which updates HTML for every added button, event delegation is a ticket to sustainable coding city.

Separating web development wheat from the chaff

In the quest for clean and maintainable code, the principle of separation of concerns is your fenced garden. It ensures your JavaScript behavior doesn’t dance around the HTML content. Inline onClick handler dance around, making for a choreographed chaos.

Evaluating the give-and-take between jQuery and native JavaScript

Here's a rundown of what both jQuery and native JavaScript bring to the party:

jQuery:
- Speeds up development for those comfortable with its syntax
- Translates cross-browser differences into comprehensible code
- Who doesn't love the utility functions like .click(), .on(), and .off()?
Native JavaScript:
- Faster execution? Here you go.
- No extra packages or dependencies
- A DIY kit for fine-grained control over event handling

Browser-specific performance and its quirks

Performance is like a box of chocolates with different browsers. Reliable sources and benchmarks are the tasting notes you need to make an informed choice.

Rally of multiple handlers

For single events putting on a multiple handler show, jQuery's .click() or .on() and native JavaScript's addEventListener are the backstage managers. Try doing that with inline onClick and watch the show crumble.

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