Add jQuery plugin without for whole site without a module (Magento 2)

Question

How can I add a jQuery plugin without a module for use in the whole site.

I found things about how to add it in modules: Adding a jQuery Library to Magento 2

But can I add it without a module and if yes in which should requirejs-config.js be placed?

Answer 1

Best thing to do is use a Magento 2 Module or a Theme to include such plugins/libraries. It is the recommended way and the best practice. Is there anything blocking you from doing that? If so, pls share.

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Method 1 > THEME: If the javascript/jquery library is theme related (In order to change the look and feel of the system).

• Place the custom component source file in one of the following location
  [theme_dir]/web/js/
• Place your requirejs-config.js file in
  [theme_dir]

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Method 2 > MODULE: If the javascript/jquery library is related to a particular business function or handles a Magento feature. It should go inside a module.

• Place the custom component source file in one of the following location
  [module_dir]/view/frontend/web/js/

• Place your requirejs-config.js file in
  [module_dir]/view/frontend/

Magento 2 strongly recommends not changing the source code of default Magento components and widgets. All customizations must be implemented in custom modules or themes.

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[EDITED: To provide a example as per in the first comment]

Using method 1 for including a js file.

File: [Root_Dir]/app/code/[NameSpace]/[Module]/view/frontend/requirejs-config.js

var config = {
    map: {
        '*': {
            faq:'Namespace_Module/js/faq'
        }
    }
};

Then the file related to this mapping will be there on the same module directory.

File: [Root_Dir]/app/code/[NameSpace]/[Module]/view/frontend/web/js/faq.js

//faq.js
define([
    "jquery"
], function ($) {
    alert('TEST');
});

So the script path in the require-config.js file should be specified from modules view/frontend/web directory, without the .js extension.

This way, a script can be added to the frontend. Follow the default module ./vendor/magento/module-checkout/* or similar...

EDIT 2: If you want to debug and see from where Magento is trying to pull the static file, follow the article on http://www.magleaks.com/magento-2-static-file-resolving/ and add a debug pointer to the file [DOC_ROOT]/vendor/magento/framework/View/Design/FileResolution/Fallback/Resolver/Simple.php