I think you make a very valid point. One poorly optimised loop using jQuery.each or Array.prototype.forEach unless you're writing a heavily JS intensive application isn't really going to make a noticable difference to performance. The average Joe developing a Wordpress theme with a slideshow and a few other little pieces of JS probably won't see any lag nor benchmark said theme. However, it does all add up the more you use Javascript for, you eventually get to a point where the milliseconds of delays and spikes in RAM usage add up and cause delays/lag.
I think it's just important to be aware of the alternatives and trade-offs using certain methods and knowing when to a 3 line method in place of a one-liner piece of jQuery. On a site I am currently working on I am using jQuery.each, I am modifying elements in the page using jQuery.width and all kinds of other things I normally would advise against in a large application. But the site I am building which is a Wordpress theme uses such little amounts of Javascript that using a more optimal method wouldn't really make much of a different interaction and latency wise.
My point was more-so that there are developers out there using poorer methods even in large-scale applications because that's the only way they know how to do it. Just being aware of what you can do in Javascript can be a beautiful thing and even save your hide in a situation where the page is freezing up when you scroll (an event I recently witnessed occur and had to fix).
In time I do believe native methods and certain implementations will get better. Javascript has evolved quite a lot in the last few years and shows no signs of slowing down.
Got it. That makes sense, and I definitely agree with the point of knowing the language features and being aware of the trade offs you're making by choosing one technique over the other.
I think it's just important to be aware of the alternatives and trade-offs using certain methods and knowing when to a 3 line method in place of a one-liner piece of jQuery. On a site I am currently working on I am using jQuery.each, I am modifying elements in the page using jQuery.width and all kinds of other things I normally would advise against in a large application. But the site I am building which is a Wordpress theme uses such little amounts of Javascript that using a more optimal method wouldn't really make much of a different interaction and latency wise.
My point was more-so that there are developers out there using poorer methods even in large-scale applications because that's the only way they know how to do it. Just being aware of what you can do in Javascript can be a beautiful thing and even save your hide in a situation where the page is freezing up when you scroll (an event I recently witnessed occur and had to fix).
In time I do believe native methods and certain implementations will get better. Javascript has evolved quite a lot in the last few years and shows no signs of slowing down.