A few positives for javascript frameworks (like JQuery).
- They provide standardization in ui
elements.
- Reduce time to develop complex
interfaces and effects.
- Normalize efforts by providing
functions that are already
cross-browser compatible.
- Due to efforts in cross
compatibility documentation is more
useful in a framework as you can use
the framework's api as canon
instead of searching for obscure
support for various/proprietary
javascript functions.
- Reduced learning curve for new
developers making them productive on
your software quicker.
I completely disagree that a framework limits javascript developers. Quite the opposite actually. Most frameworks provide extensive plug-in mechanisms where the framework can be extended using raw javascript utilizing hooks in the framework itself.
