Question
Animations on the web - Flash or jQuery? Pros & cons?
Answers
2
There's a lot to be said for looking into some of the really cool capabilities of HTML 5, if you're planning on something that's on the cutting edge.
2
Well, Flash is becoming less and less popular among web designers because Flash movies are so heavy and because not everybody has Flash (or the latest version of Flash) installed. Similarly, not everybody has Java enabled on their browser, but it's default so more people would see a jQuery animation than a Flash one. So, I'd say going with jQuery would be the stronger choice. JQuery tends to be lighter and thus loads faster and easier on bandwidth as well.
0
Yes Flash is less popular than.. JQuery, if now need some updation on your previous website.. Which is already.. Made is some flash stuff.. In case you don't have fla files.. Then its a big problem to update anything with fla.. But in jQuery no any problem to updation anything..
0
There seems to be some confusion about what Flash can do as opposed to JQuery, particularly in the realm of animation. Flash uses a scripting language called "Actionscript"; JQuery is built from Javascript (not Java, which is an entirely different language). Javascript has been included in browsers (with some variations, for which people adding to the opensource Javascript library of actions have tried to compensate). Flash's Actionscript is proprietary, and Flash animations are created in the program which must be purchased, and then the animation must be compiled into a .swf file. The .swf file is then called through HTML to run, and at that time the browser must have the proper plug in to run it. Similarly, Javascript must be permitted to run in the browser for your animation created using jQuery to be seen.
Now, as to which is better: It all depends. If you want to create a complicated series of animated actions following a storyboard (which is more like a movie) you would probably get more out of using Flash. If you actually want to use motion footage of some kind, you definitely would need Flash or at least have the requirement of a Flash player of some kind to show that footage. If you are planning to build something that shows on an iPhone or an iPad, you cannot use Flash, and you may have to design accordingly.
JQuery will give you the ability to move objects around, create sliding galleries, layer images over other images that move, create fades; in other words, rather simple "effects" rather than full-fledged "animation", and certainly not character animation. We are all waiting for HTML-5 and Canvas, but, again, without the browsers all signed on to read this code, you will have to create alternatives and allow the code to degrade gracefully. Also remember that you probably need to consider accessibility as a properly responsible designer/developer.While Flash often gets in the way of accessibility because it is already compiled and cannot be read directly by the browser and speech-reading software (as an example), you will need to test your site with Javascript turned off, if you choose to use JQuery for animation.
Finally, note that the leaner your site is, the quicker it will load; this can only be good for your SERP ranking and to repeat users of the site. I would suggest that you keep your animations either to a minimum or contained to one area where they would be most effective by being useful, rather than just "eye candy" that could quickly become tiresome with repeated viewing.
Now, as to which is better: It all depends. If you want to create a complicated series of animated actions following a storyboard (which is more like a movie) you would probably get more out of using Flash. If you actually want to use motion footage of some kind, you definitely would need Flash or at least have the requirement of a Flash player of some kind to show that footage. If you are planning to build something that shows on an iPhone or an iPad, you cannot use Flash, and you may have to design accordingly.
JQuery will give you the ability to move objects around, create sliding galleries, layer images over other images that move, create fades; in other words, rather simple "effects" rather than full-fledged "animation", and certainly not character animation. We are all waiting for HTML-5 and Canvas, but, again, without the browsers all signed on to read this code, you will have to create alternatives and allow the code to degrade gracefully. Also remember that you probably need to consider accessibility as a properly responsible designer/developer.While Flash often gets in the way of accessibility because it is already compiled and cannot be read directly by the browser and speech-reading software (as an example), you will need to test your site with Javascript turned off, if you choose to use JQuery for animation.
Finally, note that the leaner your site is, the quicker it will load; this can only be good for your SERP ranking and to repeat users of the site. I would suggest that you keep your animations either to a minimum or contained to one area where they would be most effective by being useful, rather than just "eye candy" that could quickly become tiresome with repeated viewing.
