This article reviews several jQuery pagination plugins, updated in February 2017 for accuracy. Displaying extensive results lists inefficiently is a common problem; pagination offers a superior solution. While server-side pagination fetches paged content with unique URLs, client-side options, particularly jQuery plugins, provide alternatives.

Key Takeaways:

• TWBS jQuery Pagination: A user-friendly plugin offering various configuration options. Requires jQuery and the plugin itself, with optional Bootstrap CSS. Supports event handling for dynamic content loading.
• jQuery Bootpag: A straightforward pagination control with customizable labels and classes. Requires jQuery, Bootstrap JS, and the plugin's JS files. Note: Last updated mid-2015.
• jQuery Datatable: Creates paginated tables with sorting and filtering capabilities. Requires the datatable and datatable.jquery JS files, along with jQuery. Supports AJAX for dynamic data.
• jPages Plugin: A customizable plugin for creating tables, galleries, or sliders. Not available on GitHub; may not be the most current option.
• jQuery Pajinate: An older plugin for distributing long lists across pages. Compatible with older jQuery versions but hasn't been updated since 2013.

Plugin Details:

TWBS jQuery Pagination:

This plugin simplifies pagination. Specify an element (ideally a <code><ul></ul> or <div>), and the plugin handles the rest. It integrates well with existing data, allowing <code>onPageClick event handling for content updates or AJAX calls. Actively maintained (version 1.4.1 at the time of writing).

• GitHub
• Website/Docs
• CodePen

jQuery Bootpag:

Creates simple pagination controls. Offers options for next/previous labels and class customization. Requires jQuery, Bootstrap JS, and the plugin's JS files. Last updated mid-2015 (version 1.0.7). Allows setting href properties for URL anchors.

• GitHub
• Website/Docs
• CodePen

jQuery Datatable:

Generates paginated tables with filtering and sorting. Requires datatable and datatable.jquery JS files and jQuery. Supports Bootstrap styling or custom styling. Offers advanced configuration options, including AJAX data loading and column-specific filtering. Actively updated (version 2.0 at the time of writing).

• Website
• GitHub
• CodePen

jPages Plugin:

Provides highly customizable pagination blocks for tables, galleries, or sliders. Supports Animate.css and Lazy Load. Not on GitHub; its age may be a factor in choosing a plugin.

• Website
• Demo 1
• Demo 2

jQuery Pajinate:

Distributes long lists across pages. Directly handles pagination on content. Works best with older jQuery versions (1.x or 2.x). Last updated in 2013.

• GitHub/Docs
• Demo

(Peer reviewed by Dominic Myers. Thanks to SitePoint's peer reviewers.)

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):

This section remains largely unchanged, maintaining the original FAQs about jQuery pagination plugins, covering features, integration, customization, browser compatibility, troubleshooting, dynamic data handling, performance, updates, multiple plugin usage, and accessibility.