Much of the web counts on JavaScript for its interactivity and for many years it was difficult to write. Browser inconsistencies and complicated code made even advanced coders grimace. JavaScript frameworks, such as Prototype, jQuery and MooTools have taken much of the pain away.

These frameworks sit on top of JavaScript and make common tasks a whole lot easier. Prototype is the granddaddy of JavaScript frameworks. It was the first to gain wide popularity, probably due to its pairing with the Ruby on Rails server-side programming framework.

In this tutorial, I’ll provide an introduction to the Prototype way of writing JavaScript. We’ll find objects on the page in various ways and manipulate them. You’ll still be writing JavaScript, but in an abbreviated form using Prototype shorthand. The best part is the stuff that caused the headaches–like the differences in browser implementations–is taken care of for you.

Let’s get started learning Prototype and writing shorter, hassle-free JavaScript.

Programming with JavaScript used to be hard. Just look at all the JavaScript tutorials written by our Webmonkeys. Over the years we’ve done what we can to help you make sense of JavaScript.

Now we’re being helped out by JavaScript frameworks, like JQuery, Prototype and Moo Tools. These web frameworks sit on top of JavaScript and make some common tasks a whole lot easier. When you write in JQuery, as you will in this tutorial, you’re still writing JavaScript, but what used to be 50 lines may now be one or two. JQuery’s slogan is “write less, do more,” and it lives up to that promise.

In this tutorial, I’ll introduce you to a new way to write JavaScript: the easy, JQuery way. We’ll retrieve multiple objects in a single line, add CSS classes and make things magically disappear. At the end, you’ll be able to create an expandable Frequently Asked Questions template, where users can click a question and the answer will appear below.

You don’t have to be a pro to master JQuery (although going through Webmonkey’s JavaScript tutorials helps). Even if you’re new to JavaScript, you’ll want to read on and see what JQuery can do for you.