Have you considered using CSS along with the :hover pseudo-class for this animation effect? Utilizing transitions in CSS enables smooth element animations without the need for JavaScript, unless your project requires compatibility with outdated browsers. This approach not only works efficiently but also eliminates potential timing issues and coding complexities.
To see this technique in action, you can check out this Fiddle: http://jsfiddle.net/dPixie/q0tfxvwd/
The essential CSS code snippet is as follows:
#navbar .navbar-nav .menu-item .sub-menu {
...
/* avoid display: none! */
max-height: 0;
overflow: hidden;
-webkit-transition: max-height 250ms ease-in-out;
transition: max-height 250ms ease-in-out;
}
#navbar .navbar-nav .menu-item:hover .sub-menu {
max-height: 1000px;
}
The initial part defines the default state, while the second part handles hover behavior. By utilizing max-height instead of height, the sub-menu can adjust to varying heights (ensure that max-height is set in pixels and large enough to accommodate any submenu content).
The Logic Behind It
It's crucial to consider whether fixing an issue justifies any means necessary. Sometimes, it's beneficial to reassess your methodology.
Although employing JS for menu animations is effective, does it truly enhance the aforementioned approach? Leveraging CSS offloads rendering to the GPU, utilizes the browser's native hover detection, and aligns your code with modern web standards.
Unless you have specific requirements, like demanding clients seeking uniform results across older platforms or intricate animations synchronized with external triggers, resorting to JS for such animations may not be the most efficient choice. Unless consistency remains a high priority paid by stakeholders, it might not be worth investing excessive effort into replicating identical outcomes through scripting...