What Is It?

AJAX stands for Asynchronous JavaScript and XML, a framework of interrelated Web development techniques used to create interactive Web applications. By generating the HTML locally within the browser, and only bringing down JavaScript calls and the actual data, AJAX web pages can appear to load relatively quickly and the rest of the layout does not have to be redrawn on each update. This application is intended to increase the Web page interactivity, speed, functionality and usability.

The AJAX framework helps developers to create Web applications that use AJAX. Data is read from the server or sent to the server through JavaScript requests. Some processing at the server side may be required to handle requests, such as finding and storing data. This is accomplished more easily with the use of a framework dedicated to process AJAX requests. The goal of the framework is to provide the AJAX engine and associated server and client-side functions.

Who Is it For?

AJAX is for Web developers. Very simple uses of this technology range from simple interactive experiences within the normal page-based paradigm of HTML, to full Web-delivered applications that provide the interactivity of a desktop application, complete with menus, toolbars, etc.

Features

AJAX frameworks can be loosely grouped into categories according to the features they offer and the skills required of the user. Direct AJAX frameworks, for instance, require HTML, CSS and AJAX expertise and a developer is expected to author pages directly in HTML and framework APIs deal directly with HTML elements. Cross-browser APIs can include communications, DOM manipulation, even handling, and manipulation of HTML elements. These direct AJAX frameworks generally are small and commonly used for a Web site that offers shopping. This is not used for a Web application such as Web-based email.

On the other hand, AJAX component frameworks offer pre-built components such as tabbed panes that automatically create and manage HTML. These applications generally are larger than direct frameworks and are intended for Web applications rather than Web site development.

Server-driven AJAX frameworks offer a server-side component-based development model with a degree of AJAX support. In this case, components are created and manipulated on the server using a server-side programming languge. Pages then are rendered by a combination of server-side and client-side HTML generation and manipulation. Other AJAX frameworks include those that incorporate hundreds of JavaScript languages, PHP, C++, Java and/or .NET.

Compatibility

AJAX is intended as a cross-platform technique usable on many different operating systems, computer architectures and Web browsers. It is based upon open standards such as JavaScript and the DOM. Users can find many free and open source AJAX implementations and suitable frameworks and libraries to make APIs functional.

Web Hosts that Offer AJAX