How to Make JQuery & Prototype Play Nice
I’m sure you’ve seen some of the sweetness of JQuery and most likely you’ve used Prototype for dynamic web applications like Lightview, Prototip, etc. However, let’s say we want to use the two together, on the same page. Problemo!
The Problem
JQuery uses a “$” as a shortcut for “jQuery” and Prototype uses “$” as well. We can’t have JQuery and Prototype using the same “$” namespace.
The Fix
Thankfully JQuery has a neat little function called jQuery.noConflict( ) which you basically just need to stick at the top of your JQuery file and replace the “$” alias with “jQuery” for each function. Example:
jQuery.noConflict(); // Do something with jQuery jQuery("div p").hide(); // Do something with another library's $() $("content").style.display = 'none'; |
Of course, there are other ways of solving this issue with jQuery.noConflict( ), but the method above was the most simple and straightforward for me.
NOTE: JQuery doesn’t get along with MooTools and YUI very well either, luckily this can also be solved with the jQuery.noConflict( ) trick.
Let me know if you have any questions or run across any other issues while using JQuery and Prototype. I have a feeling the more popular JQuery becomes, the more and more people will run into this issue.
Good description of making them play nicely together. Just two things to add.
1)
$j = jQuery.noConflict()
will let you use $j instead of jQuery, shorter and easier to type and
2) Only jQuery lets you place nicely with other libraries. mooTools and Prototype do not play nicely with each other at all.
@Josh – Thanks for those additions! I took a look at your blog and it looks like your an expert in JQuery – I’ll definitely be subscribing to your posts. Thanks :)
You could make it even shorter with this statement:
jQuery.noConflict();
(function($) {
$(“#myId”).makethings…
})(jQuery);
But nice blogpost for beginners who are not familiar with the noConflict method.
Cheers.
The dollar symbol spoiled my whole morning until I came across your post. Thank you!
@Nirmal – I’m so happy I was able to help!
Thanks! I need to mix jquery & prototype, and your short post, along with the insightful comments, make it clear and easy!
I’ve noticed that you can’t use the jquery UI plugins when you have prototype. Because the plugins use the $ dollar sign.
It would be good if we were able to change the prototype $ to use something else.
@Daniel
Uh oh! I thought all the problems are solved once for all by that magic line.
@Daniel, @Nirmal – You can also change the $ dollar sign for other libraries like Prototype. Check out this link: http://docs.jquery.com/Using_jQuery_with_Other_Libraries
@David: There is no information how to change other libs $ function.
There are plenty of sites offering similar fixes with little variation to the above. I have tried them all, and still using prototype and jQuery with no success. I am willing to pay to have the problem solved at this point. jQuery is not my native tongue.
My menu is run on jQuery and light box is activated through prototype. Every variation of no.conflict still has conflicts unless I am applying it all wrong. Help is now required after three weeks of pain.
@ Joseph O – Hmm, that’s super frustrating =/ Can you send me a message via my contact form (http://www.davidlano.com/contact/) and provide me with a link to your site. I’d be happy to try and help you out…I can’t guarantee success but I’d love to be able to give it a try.
Joseph/David, Did you get to the bottom of it?
I’m running Magento which requires prototype. I have a JQuery script that works perfectly when prototype isn’t included but messes up (although still runs) when prototype is included.
I have tried all the methods mentioned, but still no joy.
I too would be happy to pay for the solution.
Regards,
Alex.
@Alex – basically you have to include this: “jQuery.noConflict();” (minus the quotes obviously) at the top of your jquery script. Then replace all the $ signs in your jQuery with “jQuery” (without quotes). The conflict takes place with the $ sign. Both prototype and jQuery use these…so by doing the no conflict and replacing the $ signs in your jQuery you’re making it unique. I hope this helps!
How about running two different versions of jQuery on the same page.
I’ve tried using the noConflict trick for that but I can only get one instance of jQuery to run. Any ideas.
Best regards Tony
you can do
var $j=JQuery;
now use it
$j(document).ready(function(){
$j(“div”).hide();
});
I’m having similar trouble. I’m using jQuery for a slideshow and leightbox for text box effects. The leightbox application uses prototype. I don’t know what exactly is solving the problem but I tried a few things and managed to get both jQuery and prototype/leightbox working in every browser but Internet Explorer. I.E. is giving me a stack overflow error. Any thoughts?
Hi David,
Here’s my code in my header that calls all my javascript:
//
//
//
//
//
//
//
//
//
To resolve this conflict, are you saying that I need to go into every javascript listed above & add this line at the top of the script:
jQuery.noConflict();
….and also replace all “$” with “jQuery”?
Do I truly need to edit every script?
I’m banging my head on this stuff all day. I’m so tired & weary of it. I don’t even understand what people are saying is the resolution. My conflict is that my homepageslideshow is conflicting with my tabs. So I was trying to put this noconflict code near those….but I can’t get anything to work for me. So frustrating.
I hope you can offer me some help.
Thanks a lot.
-nb
Hi David,
Here’s my code in my header that calls all my javascript:
<!–
//
//
//
//
//
//
//
//
//
–>
To resolve this conflict, are you saying that I need to go into every javascript listed above & add this line at the top of the script:
jQuery.noConflict();
….and also replace all “$” with “jQuery”?
Do I truly need to edit every script?
I’m banging my head on this stuff all day. I’m so tired & weary of it. I don’t even understand what people are saying is the resolution. My conflict is that my homepageslideshow is conflicting with my tabs. So I was trying to put this noconflict code near those….but I can’t get anything to work for me. So frustrating.
I hope you can offer me some help.
Thanks a lot.
-tracy
okay, so i’m trying to send you my source. hopefully this will show. i changed all the you-know-whats to “scrit”. :)
//
//
//
//
//
//
//
//
//
type=”text/javascript” src=”/scripts/jquery-1.3.2.min.js”>
type=”text/javascript” src=”/scripts/jqueryCarousel.min.js”>
type=”text/javascript” src=”/scripts/jqueryDefault.js”>
type=”text/javascript” src=”/scripts/jquery.jalert.js”>
type=”text/javascript” src=”/scripts/macStyles.js”>
type=”text/javascript” src=”/scripts/search.js”>
src=”/scripts/sifr.js” type=”text/javascript”>
src=”/scripts/sifr-config.js” type=”text/javascript”>
type=”text/javascript” src=”/scripts/homepageslideshow.js” >
type=”text/javascript” src=”/scripts/jqueryTabs2.min.js”>
Amazing information. Genuinely looking forward to reading more. Thanks.
The problem however is that you have to replace every $ in all the Jquery scripts you are using. Which is a lot of work.
I have been trying to fix this problem all morning.
Your blogpost helped me out within a minute.
Thanks :)
You post made my day!! Thanks!
thanks for this post! I spent 2 hours trying to use jquery and jquerytool
hi…thanks for this script i have been looking this for long time…..
This looks very helpful, but I’m a bit confused about something. I have some older stuff that uses Prototype.
I would like to use Jquery UI tag-it, but am running into this problem.
I’m not clear how this will help if there are so many functions in Jquery UI and tag-it which make use of $.
Right now $(“#mytags”) is evaluating as null because of the conflict with Prototype I think.
Any advice would be welcome.
Thanks!
doug
Thanks a lot
hi i have j query conflict with prototype.js and magicscroll.js i have try all above solution but can’t find solution
ReferenceError: JQuery is not defined
[Break On This Error]
var $j=JQuery;
this above error when i use angle solution.
ReferenceError: jQuery is not defined
jQuery.noConflict();
above error when i use matthias solution
please can any body explaine me how to overcome from this conflicting problem
please mail me if you have solution
if use more than 2 jquery. should declare new var
Thanks alot bud, this save me 5 hours work.