What is GetXmlHttpObject in AJAX?

HelloWorld · #1 (**permalink**) 08-24-2007, 04:36 PM

Can anybody explain me what's this...? I'm planning to use AJAX on a PHP website...

Here's the code:

PHP Code:

  function GetXmlHttpObject()

{

var xmlHttp=null;

try

 {

 // Firefox, Opera 8.0+, Safari

 xmlHttp=new XMLHttpRequest();

 }

catch (e)

 {

 //Internet Explorer

 try

  {

  xmlHttp=new ActiveXObject("Msxml2.XMLHTTP");

  }

 catch (e)

  {

  xmlHttp=new ActiveXObject("Microsoft.XMLHTTP");

  }

 }

return xmlHttp;

}

TeraTask · #2 (**permalink**) 08-24-2007, 05:28 PM

It's the thing that allows a webpage to call back to a server without a page refresh. It, and it alone, is what defines Ajax and Web 2.0. Big mystery solved! lol.

ccoonen · #3 (**permalink**) 08-24-2007, 09:37 PM

Ajax is the "fancy" name them bastards gave xml object communication that made it so popular. Sorry, got a sore spot in my heart... been using the XML Obj to communicate in an AJAX fashion for YEARS before the term "Ajax" was coined... all the sudden it was very popular because of the name.

Anyways, the code you are using above allows you to call other pages with three attempted methods (using 3 different com objs). This gives the ability to hit other pages, collect content, etc.. without a page refresh.

TeraTask · #4 (**permalink**) 08-24-2007, 09:44 PM

I think it gained it's popularity from those who finally realized the power of javascript and who use it it conjunction with that object. MS only supported in natively with IE 7 which opened up a very large market. Codebases such as script.aculo.us came about after people realized the power of javascript and implemented some basic support for server calls. People usually get excited because the major browsers started supporting some of the properties of CSS 3 which is a far more important addition to Web 2.0 than is commonly discussed. To put it all in short: IE has been WAY, WAY, WAY behind in supporting standards and very commonly-used features of browsers and now that they've finally worked in some BASIC support, people are getting excited. Damn MS forever!!!

ccoonen · #5 (**permalink**) 08-24-2007, 10:07 PM

CSS3 is very exciting - and I'm a huge hater of IE - but I think I was using XML obj back in IE4

molotov · #6 (**permalink**) 08-25-2007, 11:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TeraTask

I think it gained it's popularity from those who finally realized the power of javascript and who use it it conjunction with that object. MS only supported in natively with IE 7 which opened up a very large market. Codebases such as script.aculo.us came about after people realized the power of javascript and implemented some basic support for server calls. People usually get excited because the major browsers started supporting some of the properties of CSS 3 which is a far more important addition to Web 2.0 than is commonly discussed. To put it all in short: IE has been WAY, WAY, WAY behind in supporting standards and very commonly-used features of browsers and now that they've finally worked in some BASIC support, people are getting excited. Damn MS forever!!!

Keep in mind that javascript can be turned off, rendering all your 'AJAX' worthless. I enable js on a site-by-site basis, fyi.

rpgfan3233 · #7 (**permalink**) 08-25-2007, 10:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ccoonen

CSS3 is very exciting - and I'm a huge hater of IE - but I think I was using XML obj back in IE4

Perhaps you were, though it was probably through an ActiveX control or something like an XML data island. Also, IE has supported XML data islands (via the IE-proprietary <xml> tag) since IE5.0(?) For an example, see XML Data Islands

And I agree. CSS3 is very exciting. I also am looking forward to XHTML 2.0! However, things are starting to get off-topic.

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What is GetXmlHttpObject in AJAX? - Ajax	This thread	Refback	09-10-2007 10:35 AM

The Following User Says Thank You to TeraTask For This Useful Post:
HelloWorld (08-24-2007)

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