What is Ajax?

Daniel · Jan 4th, 2007, 08:44

Just out of curiosity - what the hell is it

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

spinal007 · Jan 4th, 2007, 09:13

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...

Daniel · Jan 4th, 2007, 09:25

thanks = wont keep thinking of football now

Tim356 · Jan 4th, 2007, 09:38

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

Ryan Fait · Jan 4th, 2007, 09:41

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

spinal007 · Jan 4th, 2007, 10:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by ryanfait

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?

Daniel · Jan 4th, 2007, 12:31

oo might look into it

spinal007 · Jan 4th, 2007, 14:24

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

ukgeoff · Jan 4th, 2007, 17:14

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/

spinal007 · Jan 4th, 2007, 17:23

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

Ryan Fait · Jan 4th, 2007, 20:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by spinal007

Does it make coffee?

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

spinal007 · Jan 5th, 2007, 10:43

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

ukgeoff · Apr 2nd, 2007, 09:35

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.

pa007 · Apr 2nd, 2007, 16:41

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.

spinal007 · Apr 2nd, 2007, 16:59

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...

Quote:

Originally Posted by pa007

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.

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.

Ryan Fait · Apr 3rd, 2007, 10:06

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...

spinal007 · Apr 3rd, 2007, 12:29

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.