The script.aculo.us JavaScript library is ridiculously simple, and Ruby on Rails makes using it just as simple. Ruby on Rails provides a view helper visual_effect method which can be used in any event, such as an onclick event. Here is an example of the rails visual_effect helper method in action:

In the above example, when the user clicks where indicated the Hello, World message will highlight for a second. You can also group a series of effects by wrapping them in a SCRIPT tag such as the following opacity effects:

In addition to the highlight and opacity effects, script.aculo.us and the visual_effect helper method supports the following combination effects: fade, appear, puff, blindUp, blindDown, switchOff, dropOut, shake, slideDown, slideUp, squish, grow, shrink, pulsate, and fold.

The combination effects listed above support the duration and delay options.

You can also cut and paste effects submitted by script.aculo.us users and the visual_effect will also work for those effects.

Script.aculo.us also has some great drag and drop controls. To make a DIV element draggable use code similar to the following:

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