Open Source JavaScript Libraries for Android

socket.io is a JavaScript library that allows for realtime, bi-directional communication between web clients and servers. It is composed of two parts: a Node.js server and a JavaScript client library that runs in the browser. socket.io is focused on both reliability and speed, delivering an immensely powerful, fast and yet easy to use realtime engine that’s used by just about everyone: from Microsoft Office and Zendesk to hackathon winners and small startups. It’s considered one of the most depended-upon npm modules, and works on every platform, browser or device.

FastClick is a simple, easy-to-use library for eliminating the 300ms delay between a physical tap and the firing of a click event on mobile browsers. The aim is to make your application feel less laggy and more responsive while avoiding any interference with your current logic. FastClick is developed by FT Labs, part of the Financial Times. Note: As of late 2015 most mobile browsers - notably Chrome and Safari - no longer have a 300ms touch delay, so fastclick offers no benefit on newer browsers, and risks introducing bugs into your application. Consider carefully whether you really need to use it. The library has been deployed as part of the FT Web App. FastClick doesn't attach any listeners on desktop browsers.

SuperAgent is light-weight progressive ajax API crafted for flexibility, readability, and a low learning curve after being frustrated with many of the existing request APIs. It also works with Node.js! Small progressive client-side HTTP request library, and Node.js module with the same API, supporting many high-level HTTP client features. Browser-ready versions of this module are available via jsdelivr, unpkg, and also in the node_modules/superagent/dist folder in downloads of the superagent package. If you are using browserify, webpack, rollup, or another bundler, then you can follow the same usage as Node. SuperAgent is easily extended via plugins. The Node client supports making requests to Unix Domain Sockets. DELETE, HEAD, PATCH, POST, and PUT requests can also be used, simply change the method name. Absolute URLs can be used. In web browsers absolute URLs work only if the server implements CORS.

Zepto is a minimalist JavaScript library for modern browsers with a largely jQuery-compatible API. If you use jQuery, you already know how to use Zepto. While 100% jQuery coverage is not a design goal, the APIs provided match their jQuery counterparts. The goal is to have a ~5-10k modular library that downloads and executes fast, with a familiar and versatile API, so you can concentrate on getting stuff done. Zepto is open source software and is released under the developer and business-friendly MIT license. Note that some optional features of Zepto specifically target mobile browsers; as the original project goal was to specifically provide a leaner alternative to jQuery for the mobile web. Zepto is a good choice for browser extensions (for Safari, Chrome and Firefox) and to develop HTML-based views within native app frameworks, such as PhoneGap. In short, Zepto is expected to work in every modern browser and browser-like environment.