Free Javascript libraries and add-ons for visual effects and ajax functionality

The following javascript libraries and add-ons can be used to add ajax functionality, animations & effects, and other web 2.0 features to websites. The prototype, jquery, and mootools libraries typically do not work together well, so it is best to choose just one based on the features and add-ons you need. They all provide similar functionality, but each one has pros and cons.

• Prototype - Prototype is a JavaScript Framework that aims to ease development of dynamic web applications.


• Script.aculo.us - script.aculo.us provides you with easy-to-use, cross-browser user interface JavaScript libraries to make your web sites and web applications fly. This provides effects on top of prototype.


• Lightbox2 - An animated image viewer. Great for viewing larger images from thumbnail links.
  


• JQuery - jQuery is a fast, concise, JavaScript Library that simplifies how you traverse HTML documents, handle events, perform animations, and add Ajax interactions to your web pages.


• Thickbox - ThickBox is a webpage UI dialog widget written in JavaScript on top of the jQuery library. Its function is to show a single image, multiple images, inline content, iframed content, or content served through AJAX in a hybrid modal. Thickbox is good for lightbox and greybox functionality, and can be used to display just about anything in a fancy dialog box.
  


• Mootools - MooTools is a compact, modular, Object-Oriented JavaScript framework designed for the intermediate to advanced JavaScript developer. It allows you to write powerful, flexible, and cross-browser code with its elegant, well documented, and coherent API.


• Slimbox - Lightbox2 clone for Mootools. (see lightbox2 above)


• Smoothbox - Thickbox for Mootools. (see thickbox above)


• SmoothGallery - Nice image gallery viewer for Mootools. Looks like a flash based solution.


• Additional resources


• Ajaxload - Generate "loading" animations for Ajax pages