What is Ajax?

Just out of curiosity - what the hell is it

i keep seeing it on this site and think about holland!

Here's the techy bit:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AJAX

How it's used:
Ajax is a Javascript platform (or in my opinion a 'methodology') that enables the application and server to exchange 'small' amounts of data after a page has loaded.

For example, I'm replying to your post with the quick reply feature on Webforumz. Ajax is used to send the post (along with any other relevant information). The response of the ajax call is used to display my brand new reply within the thread as it would if I had refreshed the page, but I didn't have to. Rather than reloading the entire page, Ajax is used to update a small section of the page with some new data...

That's just one use, the posibilites are endless.
Google Maps is my favourite...

thanks = wont keep thinking of football now

Dan, have you been living under a rock? Ajax is only the latest 'trendy' thing on the web!

Ajax is easy to figure out, too. It took me a whole 3 days to have a fairly complex script running.

Does it make coffee?

oo might look into it

I've been looking for one of those but I can only find one that toasts bread... lol

If you want something to read and even print out if you want to make anotations of your own, have a look at getting a copy of Pragmatic AJAX.

As well as the printed version available from Amazon, et al., you can get a PDF version from the Pragmatic site for $20. Not a major investment.
http://www.pragmaticprogrammer.com/titles/ajax/

Very nice sensible input to the thread ukgeoff, thanks...

French press, actually. It was a little weak at first, but I adjusted it accordingly.

Nice....................

I have created a tutorial site to get wannabe Ajax people up and running.

The idea is to give people the basics to get them going without getting bogged down in a history lesson of how we got to where we are, blinding them with too much technical info, etc.

There are still a few sections to add but the bulk is now in place.

Have a look here. All feedback welcomed.

So as to make most of our users aware of it, I intend to also post in the Cafe and JavaScript forums. I hope on this occassion some latitude will be given on duplicate posting.

When using the Ajax methodology it is important not to get carried away. It's a great tool but it's just bells and whistles really. The site should work without AJAX (just as with JS), so you should build a normal working site using the most accessible means and then add AJAX functionality to create a richer web experience. I know this should be self explanotory but it's important to bear in mind when exciting new methods come along - it's easy to get carried away.

Pete.

Good stuff geoff... It's bound to be a hit.

ps.: http://www.ajax101.co.uk/ and http://ajax101.co.uk/ are the same page under 2 different urls. And the same problem goes to every other page on the site. You should 301 redirect those...

I totally agree Pete, and that is my main motto when it comes to Ajax.

HOWEVER, you simply cannot underestimate the benefits of well constructed Ajax enabled websites. So it's worth taking time to learn and use Ajax properly.

Like you said above, every ajax enabled feature on a website should work exactly as it would if javascript was disabled (or if the ajax call fails). If you follow this rule (and a couple of others), then you have nothing to loose and everything to gain by using ajax.

I agree to an extent. For the most part, any site that relies on Ajax can have a fall back, but for some things it's just not pertinent. Considering the small amount of people who don't have JS enabled, it's not worth making an amazing and outlandish idea degradable. I fully agree with Google Maps use of Ajax. Try viewing it with JS disabled...

Actually Ryan, very good point. I am forced to agree that the number of users who don't have JS enabled is negligible.

AS LONG AS, you don't use Ajax (or Javascript altogether) to replace navigation. Remember, an Ajax enabled site has to be Search Engine Friendly, as well as user friendly.

One of the big concerns is not so much having JS turned off but the way pages are seen by assistive technology such as screen readers, even with JS.

Juicy Studios have a good piece about it.