Hey everyone, I’m trying to figure out the best way to include JavaScript libraries in my project. I know it’s good to use CDNs for popular stuff like jQuery. But what about smaller libraries on GitHub?
I’m looking at a jQuery LightBox plugin and I’m not sure if I should link directly to the GitHub source or download it and use the local file. What’s the best practice here?
Does linking to GitHub have any downsides? Is it slower or less reliable than hosting the file myself? Or is it actually better because it might auto-update?
If I do download it, are there any special steps I should take to keep it up to date? Thanks for any advice!
In my experience, it’s generally better to download and host smaller libraries locally rather than linking directly to GitHub. While GitHub is reliable, it’s not designed as a CDN and could potentially change file locations or structure.
Hosting locally gives you more control and ensures consistency. You can minify the file, combine it with other scripts, and integrate it into your build process. This often results in better performance.
For version control, I typically add the library to my project’s package.json and use npm to manage updates. This way, I can easily track versions and update when needed.
That said, if it’s a rapidly evolving library you want to stay current with, a direct GitHub link might make sense. Just be aware of the potential risks and have a fallback plan.