Ajax
(Asynchronous javascript and XML)Ajax is a new technique (2005) that is revolutionizing the way web applications work.
Traditional web applications contact the server and download an entire new
page with each client interaction that requires the page to be updated.
Ajax only down loads that portion of the web page that is required to be
changed and does so in the background.
Ajax allows web applications to interact with the server in such a way
that the user gets the impression that a web application is as responsive as a
desktop application.
It is based on the XMLHttpRequest method which loads xml or text files in the background.
Google Maps and Google Suggest are examples of using this technique.
Google Maps An Interactive map
Google Suggest Google Suggest
When you start typing in Google's search box, a JavaScript sends the letters off to a server and the server returns a list of suggestions.
AJAX Dictionary Dictionary
When you start typing into the search box, the letters are sent off to a server and the server returns a list of meanings.
Ajax creates dynamic web interfaces.
Using AJAX to Retrieve a plain Text File
This is a simple example of using Ajax.
Although Ajax is used to retrieve xml files dynamically we can also use it to load plain text files as
well.
This example uses AJAX to embed a small text file in an existing web page.
SCOOP my online Newspaper is also an example of using Ajax combined with rss.
Here is how Scoop works
