[alexmuro]

If you are doing a simple project, there is nothing wrong with just using jquery (or imho d3). If you know that your project is always going to be pretty simple or especially if you are learning.

I have been teaching a number of people javascript at my lab lately and I think its unwise to teach new javascripters using any of the modern tools or transpiling until someone runs into one the problems that those tools solve. Having been a javascript coder consistently from the jquery days until now, I am not pining for the simple old days of yore.

It can be hard to learn everything that goes into a big front end app these days but when used correctly all those tools are there for a reason.

[mpwoz]

This needs to be higher.

You shouldn't use any of these tools just because people tell you to. If you can't see what problem something solves, then start at a simpler/lower level of abstraction until you run into that problem, and can appreciate the tool that solves it.

Of course, this advice doesn't apply if you actually need to write a production app, and aren't just playing around for learning purposes :)