jQuery 4.0 trims support for older browsers and remove many deprecated APIs

jQuery, the widely used JavaScript library, has unveiled the first beta release of its eagerly anticipated 4.0 version. This new release sees the discontinuation of support for Internet Explorer 10 and other older browsers, including Edge Legacy, iOS versions earlier than 11, Firefox versions prior to 65, and Android Browser. The jQuery team is also planning a phased removal of support for Internet Explorer 11, with the next stage being released in jQuery 5.0.

The 4.0 release includes significant trimming of legacy code and the removal of some previously deprecated APIs. The team has also eliminated some internal-only parameters to public functions that were never documented, and ceased support for certain complex “magic” behaviors.

To assist users with the transition, the team will soon publish a comprehensive upgrade guide outlining the removed code and migration process. The jQuery Migrate plugin will also be available to aid in this process.

As with previous releases, version 4.0 is accessible via jQuery's CDN and the npm package manager. Users who need to support any of the discontinued browsers are advised to continue using jQuery 3.x.