AJAX and JavaScript

HelloWorld · #1 (**permalink**) 06-17-2007, 02:48 PM

I'm not starting with AJAX or anything, but this question is just about wondering around to what really is AJAX programming? I'm currently still learning PHP, and tried out different stuff to it

I'm planning to go with AJAX once I'm set with PHP.

What's the difference between AJAX and regular JavaScript? You're using JavaScript language in AJAX, and is it a server side or client side programming? thanx all

Lee · #2 (**permalink**) 06-17-2007, 03:04 PM

Javascript is just good old javascript, AJAX is:

Quote:

Ajax isn't anything new, nor are the technologies behind the name, but they've found a new lease of life on trendy new sites. So what is Ajax exactly? Put very simply, it's a combination of XHTML, CSS and most importantly JavaScript and XMLHttpRequest that allows you to update your web page content without refreshing the page.

Of course, this is an over-simplified example and the funtionality of the Ajax technologies has a far wider scope.

And I belive that its Client side. (maybe wrong)

I found that and i thought it answered your question

HelloWorld · #3 (**permalink**) 06-17-2007, 03:18 PM

haha.. I'm sure that JavaScript is 100% client side language, but I'm not sure with AJAX

chrishirst · #4 (**permalink**) 06-18-2007, 12:23 AM

AJAX is javascript

the acronym should be a clue.
Asynchronous JavaScript and XML.

and the quote Lee posted is right, there is nothing new about AJAX techniques. It's simply that a few high profile sites used the techniques and made it appear "cool & trendy"

HelloWorld · #5 (**permalink**) 06-18-2007, 07:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chrishirst

It's simply that a few high profile sites used the techniques and made it appear "cool & trendy"

does that mean AJAX is only used to create a cool effect? Is there anything in AJAX that's important other than just cool effect for web application?

chrishirst · #6 (**permalink**) 06-18-2007, 02:01 PM

Nope; there are quite a lot of "uncool" things that can be done using AJAX methods.

here's one for example, Send Email When An Hyperlink Is Clicked - High Rankings Search Engine Optimization Forum that I put together.

Another functional use is the "Fast Reply" text boxes on many forums. Urchin (Google Analytics) is another example.

AJAX methods got something of a revival when Gmail appeared on the scene, from then on it became trendy to use it for just about everything.

Just don't use it for including any content that you want the Search Engines to see.

HelloWorld · #7 (**permalink**) 06-18-2007, 05:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chrishirst

Nope; there are quite a lot of "uncool" things that can be done using AJAX methods.

here's one for example, Send Email When An Hyperlink Is Clicked - High Rankings Search Engine Optimization Forum that I put together.

Another functional use is the "Fast Reply" text boxes on many forums. Urchin (Google Analytics) is another example.

AJAX methods got something of a revival when Gmail appeared on the scene, from then on it became trendy to use it for just about everything.

Just don't use it for including any content that you want the Search Engines to see.

do you know whether they're accessible for the users those are using assistive technogies such as screen readers? I should try out Gmail

Yeah, that's true.. Google is using many of their web applications using AJAX

chrishirst · #8 (**permalink**) 06-21-2007, 12:09 AM

As with all javascript if it is not enabled on the user agent / client it won't run and you should provide a alternative means for these UAs to access the content/data.

eg:
With Gmail there is a standard webmail style interface that uses form submission and querystrings to access the interface and messages if the AJAX version does not start.

TeraTask · #9 (**permalink**) 06-27-2007, 12:38 PM

There is a way that one can employ Ajax while preserving functionality for users without javascript enabled, search engines for example. I've written a 2 part series on my site about this at TeraTask Technologies, LLC - see "Search Engine Friendly Ajax Websites" and "SEO Friendly Web 2.0 Sites - Part 2" for details.

The only "new" thing with Ajax is the ability to call back to the server using Javascript without having to load a whole new page. There were ways around this before (frames, for example), but now it is easier than ever and supported by most of the major and minor browsers which have support for javascript. As with all technologies, improper applications are to be found everywhere (take Flash designers for a great example). Ajax does have a very important place in the future; it would have been nice for it to have been properly named however so as not to attempt to usurp Javascript.

ccoonen · #10 (**permalink**) 06-27-2007, 07:47 PM

AJAX is such a funny thing... I've been using it for many many years before it became popular... but give it a cool name like AJAX and BAM! It's the talk of the town. XMLHttpRequest has been here for a long long time which is the engine that allows Client-Side to hit/scrape another url with JavaScript. Definitely some hardcore "Ajax" shiznit out there now though, lol

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