This book discusses what Ajax is and what it means to Web developers, as well as the technologies behind Ajax applications. The early chapters of this book begin with a discussion of the pros and cons of Ajax techniques, and they provide a quick refresher of JavaScript techniques. Working through this book, you’ll discover how Ajax applications cross between client-side and server-side development techniques, examine some common Ajax patterns, and see how Ajax links in to existing technologies such as XSLT, web services, and the DOM. The final chapter provides an in-depth case study in creating Ajax applications.

This book teaches you how to create applications according to Ajax principles. This book takes no views on web browser is superior, and it offers examples that work across all major browsers. Because of the complexities involved, however, Ajax is not something a complete novice can expect to pick up. The reader is expected to be familiar with the following client-side technologies: HTML (and/or) XHTML, JavaScript, and Cascading style sheets (CSS). The reader will also need to be familiar with at least one of the two following server-side technologies: PHP or ASP.NET. The reader is not expected to know any of the following because full introductions to each technology will be given (although familiarity with one or many of them may be useful): Document Object Model (DOM), XML, XPath, Extensible Stylesheet Language Transformations (XSLT), and Web services (REST and SOAP).

Some of the topics covered include:
A JavaScript refresher and JavaScript reference
Ajax and server-side technologies including the XMLHttpRequest object and how it can call ASP.NET, PHP, and Java applications
The different techniques that can be considered Ajax techniques, regardless of whether they make use of the XMLHttpRequest object, hidden frames, hidden inline frames, dynamic image loading, and dynamic script loading.
Working with XML and the XMLHttpRequest object
Debugging and Error Handling
Web Services, APIs, and Mashups including embedded maps, photographs, weather forecasts, or music playlists in applications via either web services or APIs
XSLT and XPath
Common Ajax patterns such as page preloading and form validation
Working with external data including how to use external feeds such as RSS and Atom and how you can create applications to consume data sources that push data at regular intervals.
JSON, JavaScript’s alternative format for transmitting data, JavaScript Object Notation (JSON), which returns a set of array and object literals.
How to install and use some of the most common Ajax frameworks and libraries, such as Prototype, Scriptaculous, Dojo, and more.

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