What is Ajax?
Ajax was developed by Microsoft outlook web applications in 1999 but the complete usage of Ajax came into the picture after 6 years. The name Ajax was named by Jesse James Garrett in February 2005. Before the naming of Ajax, it is called an XML HttpRequest scripting object which runs as MSXML library.
The acronym of Ajax is Asynchronous JavaScript and XML. It can be defined as a path in which the user uses JavaScript to communicate with a web server to get a query generated response and to provide it on the web server without the user leaving the current page.
Let us know each and every minute detail about Ajax, uses, how it works, advantages and disadvantages below
Definition
Asynchronous JavaScript and XML can be defined as a set of users in building websites and web applications. Identifying specific purpose in web development applications is the best way to understand Ajax. The main work of Ajax is to update the content asynchronously means in user’s web page whole content need not be reloaded and only the required field is reloaded. XML is a markup language means these are coded languages to annotate parts of a web document which gives web browsers instructions about understanding and displaying the user content.
It combines various programming tools like JavaScript, HTML, DHTML, XML (extensible markup language), CSS (cascading style sheets), DOM (document object model) and Microsoft object
Understanding
To understand Ajax basic knowledge of JavaScript and XML, HTML is mandatory. Let us now see what are the topics needed in Ajax operations
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- Understanding Synchronous Vs Asynchronous and getting knowledge of classic web application model
- Learn how Ajax operates with a database
It is mainly used with other applications because it can not be independent software.
How Does It Work?
Ajax creates more interactive techniques for faster and more efficient web applications by using JavaScript, XML, CSS, and HTML. For various web applications, Ajax uses various techniques like this
- In Ajax when the user needs to create content XHTML is used while CSS is used for presenting the user request purpose, document object model (DOM) and javascript both will be used to display the content dynamically.
- By using synchronous methods in web applications, information can be transmitted and received effectively for example when you fill a form and submit it. You will be automatically directed to the new server with that page information.
- After hitting the submit button, in background javascript sends a request and with the response generated it will update to the current screen. In this process, the user will be unaware of the background XML code requests.
- XML is used as a format to generate and receive the server data in any format.
- While most of the web browsers are dependent on web server technology, Ajax is independent of web server software.
Where to Use It?
Below mentioned are the places where Ajax is used
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Login forms
Eg: user can type their login credentials in the original page form their software will send a request to the server to logged in and the page will be updated as needed.
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Auto-complete
When you run a query in Google search bar with the help of auto fill settings suggestions will be shown in drop down below
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Rating and Voting
The main content of the site can be decided by the voting in web pages like Digg and Reddit by bookmarking them.
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Updating with user content
When a user posts a tweet, it will be added to their feed and everything is updated. Now Ajax is used by tweeter to run their trending topics page
- Form submission and validation
- It makes web application quicker and the numbers of responses are also reduced.
- Light-boxes are used nowadays instead of pop-ups
- Using Ajax with flash application
Why is Ajax Used?
Ajax is a web developer’s long term dream because the user can do the following things:
1. Without reloading the page user request can be updated
2. After the page is loaded it generates data from the server.
3. Receive data from server-after the page has loaded.
4. In the background sends data to the server
Examples of Ajax Application
Given below are the lists of web applications which commonly use Ajax
- Google suggests: when a user enters the search query in the Google search bar, auto-complete options will be offered while typing. Suggestions given by Google can be navigated by using operational keys.
- Yahoo maps are easier while operating and user experiences more fun. This Map uses Ajax to drag the entire map with the mouse without using buttons which will be at ease to the user.
- Google maps are general applications which use Ajax. This is a real-time application in which the user can manipulate the data and change the view settings. Ajax directly works on a web browser without any plugin installations. Firstly, only Microsoft internet explorer used Ajax but due to its reliability more web applications like chrome, Mozilla… Etc. using this.
Ajax applications use an intermediate engine which acts as a bridge between browser and server. Ajax is not a programming language.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Ajax
Every software has its pros and cons which when handled in a correct way gives good results
Advantages
1. Reduces the server traffic and increases the speed
2. Ajax is responsive and time taken is also less
3. Form validation
4. Bandwidth usage can be reduced
5. Asynchronous calls can be made this reduces the time for data arrival.
Disadvantages
1. Open source
2. Active x request is created only in internet explorer and newly created web browser
3. For security reason, you can only access information from the web host that serve pages. Fetching information from other server is not possible with Ajax.
Conclusion
Although Ajax provides new methods and techniques to communicate with a web page as developers and users. The most important thing to remember is that this is about the product or data and how to interact with it and reduce the duration and the number of requests generated but not about technologies. We hope that this article will be of help in learning and using it with ease.
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