24 March 2011

HeadJS script? Is it really necessary?

I have read articles and forum posts about HeadJS script and how good it is, how it can speed up your site and basically do miracles with your sites :)

Head.js (http://headjs.com/) is tiny script which improves loading speed of your websites/pages.

The latest version is version 0.9. Demo on the headjs.com has some problems,  I find it really strange that developer has not yet updated javascript links within headjs demos (there are 404 errors and js wont load). So they are basically worthless if you try to measure speed.

I have removed all github links and added various CDN javascript libraries. Now all the libraries are working, return status 200 OK. Point of CDN usage is that scripts wont be slowed by speed of my web server and most of these javascript get loaded from CDN anyway.

Original test is from head.js website, it calculates how long it takes to load page either using classic <script> within <head> or using just one <script src="head.js"> library and rest specifying as javascript call:

head.js("https://ajax.googleapis.com/ajax/libs/yui/3.3.0/build/yui/yui-min.js") .js("http://ajax.googleapis.com/ajax/libs/jquery/1.5.1/jquery.min.js") .js("https://ajax.googleapis.com/ajax/libs/jqueryui/1.8.11/jquery-ui.min.js") .js("https://ajax.googleapis.com/ajax/libs/dojo/1.6.0/dojo/dojo.xd.js") .js("https://ajax.googleapis.com/ajax/libs/mootools/1.3.1/mootools-yui-compressed.js") .js("http://cdn.jquerytools.org/1.2.5/all/jquery.tools.min.js");

You can try amended benchmars here:

HeadJS demo with script src (i am ignoring bottom <script> locations):
http://www.feronovak.com/test/headjs/script.html

HeadJS demo with head.js
http://www.feronovak.com/test/headjs/headjs.html

I have disabled all extensions, addons, plugins for all browsers to make it as fair as possible. Still this is not any scientific test and methods used are pretty lame. But it works for me as this is how normal person browsing a page will see it.

And my results (please feel free to post your times in discussion):

Chrome 10.0.648.151

SCRIPT SRC DEMO

  • 1st  run, empty cache: 261ms
  • 2nd run, cached files: 38ms

HEAD.JS DEMO

  • 1st  run, empty cache: 24ms
  • 2nd run, cached files: 14ms

Results are quite clear, head.js loads page much faster than classic <script> method.


Firefox 4.0

SCRIPT SRC DEMO

  • 1st  run, empty cache: 263ms
  • 2nd run, cached files: 111ms

HEAD.JS DEMO

  • 1st  run, empty cache: 261ms
  • 2nd run, cached files: 108ms

Really interesting this one. FF 4.0 basically wont show any difference with 1st run, same numbers for both first runs. Even more interesting is that cached run is the same speed for both versions. 


Internet Explorer 9.0

SCRIPT SRC DEMO

  • 1st  run, empty cache: 368ms
  • 2nd run, cached files: 116ms

HEAD.JS DEMO

  • 1st  run, empty cache: 18ms
  • 2nd run, cached files: 8ms

This is really surprising result, IE9 loads head.js fastest from all browsers. Yes, I have tried everything, I deleted cache, closed whole IE9, deleted cache and loaded page. Times are very consistent and it really is mega fast. It is even faster than Chrome 10. 


Internet Explorer 8 (IETester)

SCRIPT SRC DEMO

  • 1st  run, empty cache: 361ms
  • 2nd run, cached files: 206ms

HEAD.JS DEMO

  • 1st  run, empty cache: 16ms
  • 2nd run, cached files: 14ms

Again huge time difference. I am only using IEtester but it seems that it really is such a difference when loading site. Again, I am loading page without cache for 1st run, and then cached for 2nd.


Internet Explorer 6 (IEtester)

SCRIPT SRC DEMO

  • 1st  run, empty cache: 670ms
  • 2nd run, cached files: 180ms

HEAD.JS DEMO

  • 1st  run, empty cache: 21ms
  • 2nd run, cached files: 15ms

This is most visible difference when loading the page. Old IE6 just won't die and head.js can quite improve loading time. 

It seems that head.js really can improve webpage loading times. However, I won't be putting it into my projects until I am 100% sure it works well with all the JQuery plugins and javascript codes.  But big thanks to developer for creating such useful tool, I am sure that many sites will use this soon (or in fact use it already).

53 comments:

Anonymous said...

Good article and demo. Thank you.

Anonymous said...

Followed to here from one of your SO posts. My anecdotal experience has been the head.js actually does a remarkable job of speeding up the page load. Unfortunately, it is not so remarkable when it comes to older browser compatibility.

While it sort of works in IE6-7 in the sense that there are no errors, and sometimes things work, I found it very unreliable in real-world situations involving a lot of scripts. Page would just freeze and never finish loading for no particular reason, sometimes. So I had to give it up for this reason, since even though I have no love for those browsers, I can't see excluding them just for this benefit.

One possibility is browser-dependencies to use head.js only for newer browsers, but the fact that it's inconsistent worries me and I'm not interested in adding another wildcard to testing.

Anonymous said...

Please include or add Safari/webkit as it is used by many mobile devices that directly relate to this conversation.

Praylin S said...

You are doing a great job in researching and writing worthy contents. I really appreciate your great efforts. Keep updating. Looking forward for more from you. REgards.
Javascript Training in Chennai | Javascript Training Classes | Javascript Training | Javascript Course in Chennai

Anbarasan14 said...

I believe that your blog would help the readers by giving them a useful information. Waiting for more updates from this admin.

IELTS Coaching in Mulund
IELTS Training in Mulund West
IELTS Courses in Mulund
Best IELTS Coaching Institute in Mulund
IELTS Classes in Mulund
Best IELTS Training Centres in Mulund East
IELTS Classes near me

Lithiksha said...

In the beginning, I would like to thank you much about this great post. Its very useful and helpful for anyone looking for tips. I like your writing style and I hope you will keep doing this good working.
CCNA Course in Chennai
CCNA Training in Chennai
DevOps Training in Chennai
Digital Marketing Training in Chennai
SEO Training in Chennai
CCNA Training in Anna Nagar
CCNA Course in T Nagar

Teena bhabhi said...

Unlimited whatsapp groups for join . click here and get unlimited whatsapp groups links for join and you can also promote your groups in this website - http://whatscr.com

Annonymous said...


we recently shared lucky patcher app download link on our blog

tricksapk said...

We shared official lucky patcher apk download link for your guys.

Basudev said...

Great post
Premium Android Apps

technical raja said...

how to use paytm postpaid

web hosting kya hai




IndiaYojna.in

saurav said...

Great post
Top 10 cars under 5 lakhs
Top 10 cars under 6 lakhs
top 5 light weight scooty
best suv under 10 lakhs

Rahul said...

Useful information

Top 5 best PPSSPP games for Android


Top 6 Best free online video convertor websites

Bill Gates admits losing to android as his biggest mistake


Top 9 best free tools and website to convert speech into text online

Advantages of choosing proper Antivirus for your PC


Top 8 Reasons Why Government Will Be Slow to Accept the Cloud

Things to be kept in mind while choosing a recovery software


Android vs. Other mobile Operating system and how google is best

Iamrjrahul WR3D 2K17

ACE said...

Thanks for Sharing a great information about technologies..
Spoken English in chennai
Personality development in chennai
IELTS in chennai
TOEFL in Chennai
American Accent Training in chennai
Call centre training in chennai

sanjana singh said...

click here
click here
click here
click here
click here
click here

Clipping Path said...

clipping path EU is offering all kinds of image editing services to the E-commerce Business Industries all over the world. It is offering clipping path service, Background Removal Service, Image Masking, Photo Retouching, Neck Joint Service, Color Correction and other related image editing service. The best thing is they are providing all their services in low cost. It is obvious that you are going to get satisfied.

nowfirstviral said...

Very Nice Article 파워볼사이트

Viral said...

very nice article 토토사이트

amour said...


I love it when individuals come together and share
opinions. Great website, stick with it! Visit opur page also. https://hky7.com 토토사이트

Gurvinder sir said...

very nice article: ccc admit card 2020

Urban Dezire Official said...

Hey Nice Blog Post Please Check Out This Link for purchase
Men Satchel Bags for your loved ones.

nowfirstviral said...

마찬가지로 세 번째 상자를 열면 세 번째 상자와 마찬가지로 세 번째 라인을 재생합니다. 네 번째와 다섯 번째는이 특정 기계의 대각선입니다.우리카지노

nowfirstviral said...

SEO (Search Engine Optimization) is the practice of optimizing content to be discovered through a search engine's organic search results. The benefits are obvious: free, passive traffic to your website, month after month 구글상위노출

all Sports said...

Kjt vs Bt live score

sudhan said...

nice article thanks for the kind information



Robotic Process Automation (RPA) Training in Chennai | Robotic Process Automation (RPA) Training in anna nagar | Robotic Process Automation (RPA) Training in omr | Robotic Process Automation (RPA) Training in porur | Robotic Process Automation (RPA) Training in tambaram | Robotic Process Automation (RPA) Training in velachery





Best laptops Under 30000 said...

best gaming laptops under 30000
Best 2 burner gas stove
best-foldable-keyboards

vantagepointx said...

Hi, Very informative post and really appreciate the effort you put into it. Every one now a days is trying to gather more information about Forex Trading .

BCA App said...

Thanks for posting such a blog it is really very informative. And useful for the freshers Keep posting the
updates.

BCA Notes

Vpxforex said...

Every business requires a certain temperament and approach same with forex,Before starting Forex Trading, you have to make some preparations, to get the best resultsForex Indicators.

Anonymous said...

I'm a long-serving digital marketing professional and full-service as a social media marketing manager. I'm offering services at a competitively low cost. I have experience in keyword research, Article writing or Rewriting, Guest posting, B2B Lead Generation , Data Entry ,link building, web 2.0 backlink ,
Video submission. I have 5 years of experience in the field and are assured of delivering High Quality and manual work. I have my own site name as AbidhTech.

Anonymous said...

Modern Combat 5 mod apk latest
Nova legacy mod apk latest

RV said...

https://codifyshow.com/
Thanks for this sharing

Pathway for German Language said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
SUTAPA said...

affair|after marriage|অ্যারেঞ্জ ম্যারেজ
Love Story|Sad Love Story
অদ্ভুত ভালোবাসা | single mother
working woman|অসম্পর্ণ
অসম্পর্ণ ভালোবাসা | ভালোবাসা | affair

Freelancer baghel said...

On this website, I am updating daily Article on Technology, Digital Marketing, and Youtube News
Worldtricks4u

Mahawar Alloys said...


branding company in Patiala
Digital marketing company in Patiala
Graphic designing services in Patiala
Web designing company in Patiala
Web development company in Patiala
Seo company in Patiala

Prashant Baghel said...

Best event management companies in Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh

vé máy bay từ canada về Việt Nam said...

Mua vé liên hệ đại lý Aivivu, tham khảo

vé máy bay đi Mỹ khứ hồi

có vé máy bay từ mỹ về việt nam chưa

lich bay tu duc ve viet nam

tin tức các chuyến bay từ nhật về việt nam

Aishwariya said...

Thank you for your post, I look for such article along time, today i find it finally. this post give me lots of advise it is very useful for me.
AWS Training in Chennai

Bollywood Hungama said...

Bollywood News in Hindi - Check out the latest Bollywood news, new Hindi movie reviews, box office collection updates and latest Hindi movie videos. Download free HD wallpapers of Bollywood celebrities and recent movies and much more on Bollywood Hungama.
Satyameva Jayate 2 Full Movie
spider man no way home full movie

vivikhapnoi said...

Thanks for Sharing This Article.It is very so much valuable content.
vé máy bay từ mỹ về việt nam

vé máy bay từ úc về việt nam giá rẻ

Giá vé máy bay Hàn Việt Vietjet

Cách đặt vé máy bay tu Nhat Ban ve Viet Nam

Ve may bay Bamboo tu Dai Loan ve Viet Nam

chuyến bay từ canada về việt nam

kishor said...

nices information thanku so much. this information
paidboom-hosting-review
kishorsasemahal
click here

kishor said...

nices information thanku so much
free classified submission sites list
kishorsasemahal

Elena James said...

Trade Capital Options: IC Markets Offers Customers The Opportunity To Trade A Wide Array Of Assets And Financial Instruments With A 30p Per Lot Commission.

Adnan said...

For Download Subway Surfers Mod Apk

AeroGarden Bounty Vs Bounty Elite

wethink said...

thanku so much this infromation
Wethinksolution

BA Technology said...

Forex is a nurturing environment for entrepreneurs who want to start a brokerage firm from the ground up. There are various critical elements in the process, and a trading platform is one of the most vital variables in determining how successful your business will be. White Label Forex Broker is an excellent means by which a trader can start a solid brokerage firm at ease!

ارایش صورت said...

برای ارایش صورت ماندگار باید از لوازم ارایش با کیفیت استفاده کرد.

skillbee said...

hi thanku so much
please take some time and visit to our sites if anybody is searching for jobs .
Skillbee is the best quest for new employment application.
skillbee
all job fujairah

Nick said...

Thank you so much for sharing such an intresting blog with us.

SwarnApp said...

Thank you so much for sharing such an intresting blog with us.
best jewellery software jewellery accounting software swarnapp software
Best Jewellery Software

jasatoeflcepat said...

Menyediakan Jasa Pembuatan Sertifikat TOEFL ITP dan IELTS Resmi Tanpa Test
Jasa Sertifikat TOEFL Asli dan Terpercaya

Anonymous said...

Now, it is possible to view saved wifi passwords on your android device like Mobile, Tablet, ChromeOS etc.
For this purpose, you need to Open the Settings app.
Go to Network & internet (or Connections) and tap Wi-Fi (or Internet on Android 12 and later).
Select the current Wi-Fi network you're connected to, or tap Saved networks to choose a different one.
Tap the Share button.
Authenticate yourself using your PIN, fingerprint, or face recognition.
The password will be displayed below a QR code.
Now, how to decode the QR Code Online, QR Decoder Online will help you to do that very easily by following steps. Regards [ZUCNEE]