AJAX Tutorial

[tiamat2012]

I recently did an AJAX tutorial but it wasn't that great, it more just put code there and said it worked.

Does anyone know a good way or place to learn AJAX? I know a bit of javascript and I think AJAX would enhance the pages I work on.

-Kerry

 

[BillyRayPreachersSon]

Don't take this the wrong way, but you shouldn't simply add AJAX to your pages because "you think it might enhance them". You should have a plan. You should know what you want to do with AJAX, spec it out, and go from there.

Don't just slap code on page because you "think" it might do something or look good.

Sure, AJAX has a "wow" factor - and that is a good thing, as it gets people excited about the possibilities of what can be achieved within the confines of a web browser... but at least sit down and think about, and plan, what you are going to do first.

Hope this helps,
Dan



Coedit Limited - Delivering standards compliant, accessible web solutions

[tt]Dan's Page [blue]@[/blue] Code Couch

http://www.codecouch.com/dan/

[/tt]

 

[tiamat2012]

The thing is I know I can use it, for example, I have many database pages where you enter a search query and it returns it in a nice way. If they could simply click on one of the select boxes and all the information instantly appeared that would be great.

I actually have 2-3 websites like this. One thing though, you made it sound like there is a bad affect to it (maybe SEO?, is there any reason why I shouldn't just put it on there? I'm currently just making a bunch of quick websites and practicing my skills, and I would like to learn how to do AJAX so that I can incorporate them into the website, and then I will get more control over it. And as a result, I will always have that option open to me in the future so I can use it purely when needed.

Thank you,

-Kerry

 

[BabyJeffy]

Here are two books that I recently had the pleasure to be absorbed by:
[ul]
[li]AJAX in Action[/li]
[li]AJAX Hacks[/li]
[/ul]
I really really rate the first book (AJAX in Action) as a primer as well as ongoing reference. Both boooks are current (with the second only released from O'Reilly this month).

Look at some of the pre-written javascript frameworks that the books discuss as well... pre-tested code that you can use as "building blocks" for your own pages.

Cheers,
Jeff

[tt]Jeff's Page @ Code Couch

http://www.codecouch.com/jeff/blog/

http://www.coedit.co.uk/

[/tt]

What is Javascript? FAQ216-6094

 

[tiamat2012]

Cool, will do!

Thank you very much!

-Kerry