To be or not to be; Ajax is the question.

[Palyriot]

Lately, I've been seeing a lot of cool uses for the new Ajax or what some would like to call Web 2.0. I've been seeing these cool scripts implemented into php and have found them very cool, but is there any cons to ajax? Javascript-disable browsers? Too spiffy for some people?

Now, I know there are some nice pro's for ajax, such as not needing to load a new page for new results and ease of use for the end user. What are your thoughts? I put a poll together to see your opinions and based on this poll, I will decide to learn it and use it on my newest developments, or trash it.

Thank you, Palyriot.

 

[oliciv]

AJAX is useful for some things, so it would be an advantage to learn it, but don't use it on everything just for the sake of it

 

[Palyriot]

Well, I mean for a website that had a login query... It would update without having to reload the page of what place you were in. That would seem useful to me.

 

[moua]

If the webpage is light, usa an ajax engine is heavy.
If the server is slow to answer, use ajax can be slower.

So, use ajax only if it have a really great advantage.

Beside, some (handlet mostly) devices are not really ajax friendly.

 

[Rowan W]

I would by all means learn Ajax, but you should only use it if you really need the functionality it has, for example, if someone wants an online program. :S

 

[axilant]

95% of the web browsers support the use of ajax. There is no cons to this other than it will cost more for your purchaser if you freelance using ajax.

 

[DropLister]

ajax? can i see an example

 

[Palyriot]

Thanks to all replies, rep added to all.

If javascript is disabled, then won't ajax not work?

 

[axilant]

Thanks to all replies, rep added to all.

If javascript is disabled, then won't ajax not work?

Name 10 people who disable javascript.

ALL of the FREE email servers... well at least most, require javascript.

I have never heard of anyone actually disabling javascript... i have heard it, but never had a problem with it as many websites i have created.

like i said pretty much every browser supports it.

Some websites dont even care and just do it anyways, ajax is probably the sweetest way to make a website these days.

 

[Rowan W]

I disable javascript when it does something to affect my browsing experience in a negative way, for example if it tries to detect my browser or resizes the window. Luckily I can disable or enable javascript in two clicks so if a website I want to view requires javascript then I can promptly enable it.

People do disable javascript, these people usually know when they do or don't need it.

An example of an Ajax website is www.live.com

 

[Palyriot]

Ok, I've really learned a lot and think I will buy a book on Ajax. Thanks to all of you who replied .

 

[axilant]

http://www.modernmethod.com/sajax/ is a pretty sweet library...

It gets thing started, i actually use this... but i modified it quite a bit. (Added a few functions to it, and made it a class and fixed browser capabilities)

 

[moua]

ajax? can i see an example

www.ajaxwhois.com
http://www.google.com/webhp?hl=en
http://www.live.com
www.meebo.com
...

 

[oliciv]

It won't work with Javascript disabled, so you should always code an alternative for browsers without JS support, to keep your sites accessable. (I think this may be required by law for a business in the UK)

 

[barefoottech]

Ajax appears to be OK, but still has same Problem
Client-Side Processing so User's Browser Status can be
an Unknown Factor
Only Server-Side Processing can be sure .

 

[axilant]

How is AJAX a problem? Its been in Internet Explorer for the past 5 years. Its always been in firefox.

The only thing you have to do is make your code cross-browser capable and its fine.

 

[stscac]

I'm all for ajax - but unless you're using the right library, you must know the ins and outs of javascript. I'll be releasing an ajax app within the next week. So look out for it!



-Steve

 

[monty]

I'm all for ajax - but unless you're using the right library, you must know the ins and outs of javascript. I'll be releasing an ajax app within the next week. So look out for it!



-Steve

Come on, don't talk nonsens! A combination of Asynchronous Javascript And Xml is as easy as Sunday morning pancakes. Bill Bercik shows how. No need for any ins and/or outs, just a nice wrapper around the http object and you're good to go!