Pros of SlickGrid (6pac)

• Actively maintained with regular updates and bug fixes
• Improved browser compatibility, including better support for modern browsers
• Enhanced performance optimizations for handling large datasets

Cons of SlickGrid (6pac)

• Some API changes may require updates to existing code
• Slightly larger file size due to additional features and improvements

Code Comparison

SlickGrid (mleibman):

grid = new Slick.Grid("#myGrid", data, columns, options);
grid.setSelectionModel(new Slick.CellSelectionModel());

SlickGrid (6pac):

grid = new Slick.Grid("#myGrid", data, columns, options);
grid.setSelectionModel(new Slick.CellSelectionModel());
grid.registerPlugin(new Slick.AutoTooltips());

The core functionality remains similar, but SlickGrid (6pac) offers additional plugins and features that can be easily integrated.

Summary

SlickGrid (6pac) is a fork of the original SlickGrid project, maintaining its core functionality while providing active development, improved browser support, and performance enhancements. While it may require some code updates and has a slightly larger file size, the benefits of ongoing maintenance and additional features make it a compelling choice for many developers. The basic usage remains similar, allowing for a relatively smooth transition between the two versions.

Pros of ag-grid

• More active development and frequent updates
• Extensive documentation and community support
• Rich set of features, including enterprise-level functionality

Cons of ag-grid

• Steeper learning curve due to more complex API
• Larger file size and potential performance impact for simpler use cases

Code Comparison

SlickGrid:

var grid = new Slick.Grid("#myGrid", data, columns, options);
grid.onCellChange.subscribe(function (e, args) {
    // Handle cell change
});

ag-grid:

var gridOptions = {
    columnDefs: columnDefs,
    rowData: rowData,
    onCellValueChanged: function(event) {
        // Handle cell change
    }
};
new agGrid.Grid(gridDiv, gridOptions);

Key Differences

• ag-grid offers more built-in features and customization options
• SlickGrid has a simpler API and may be easier to implement for basic grids
• ag-grid provides better support for modern frameworks and TypeScript
• SlickGrid is lighter-weight and may perform better for large datasets with simple requirements

Use Cases

• Choose ag-grid for complex enterprise applications with advanced grid requirements
• Consider SlickGrid for simpler projects or when working with large datasets and basic functionality

Pros of Handsontable

• More feature-rich out of the box, including advanced functionalities like filtering, sorting, and validation
• Better documentation and community support
• Regular updates and active maintenance

Cons of Handsontable

• Heavier and potentially slower for very large datasets
• Commercial license required for some features and use cases

Code Comparison

SlickGrid:

var grid = new Slick.Grid("#myGrid", data, columns, options);
grid.onCellChange.subscribe(function (e, args) {
  // Handle cell change
});

Handsontable:

var hot = new Handsontable(container, {
  data: data,
  columns: columns,
  afterChange: function (changes, source) {
    // Handle cell change
  }
});

Both libraries offer similar basic functionality for creating data grids, but Handsontable provides a more modern API and additional built-in features. SlickGrid focuses on performance for large datasets, while Handsontable offers a broader range of features and easier customization. The choice between the two depends on specific project requirements, such as dataset size, needed features, and licensing considerations.