Ajax stands for Asynchronous JavaScript and XML and is a new web development technique widely used for creating interactive web applications. The Ajax programming technique comprises a stellar collection of proven technologies like XHTML, CSS, JavaScript, and XML Http Request (XHR). Ajax technologies are compatible with all JavaScript enabled browsers regardless of the operating systems. In addition to this Ajax programming techniques also includes an impressive array of Eclipse-based development tools, which are open source and free to download and use.

Web applications developed on Ajax technology can perform most of the functions that the native application of the user's system can. This is because while interacting with the server on which they reside, a very small amount of data is exchanged back and forth at a time. This leads to pages being updated in the user's browser only, rather than being refreshed completely. It's a model modified from the web's unique use as a hypertext medium.

Highlighting some of the functional aspects of Ajax that makes this technique as the most preferred web development technique among architects, developers, and product managers are:

• In all applications developed through this technology every user's action that would make an HTTP request gets transformed into JavaScript and summons the Ajax engine.
• In order to enhance the functional timing, any reaction to user's action that does not require any trip back to the server like: simple data confirmation or data edition in memory are handled by the engine on its own.
• In case the engine requires some piece of information from the server so as to present a response, like: submission of data for processing, loading added interface code- the engine places these requests by using XML, without delaying a user's interaction with the application.

Ajax technique uses JavaScript technology to respond to a user's action on a widget. It also makes the best use of XMLHttpRequest object to exchange XML data between the client and the server.

Numerous famous applications have been developed by deploying the Ajax techniques such as: Google Maps and Gmail, Yahoo's Flicker, America Online's AIM Mail, 24SevenOffice and Microsoft's Virtual Earth. Some of the browsers supporting Ajax techniques are

• Apple Safari 1.2 and above
• Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.0 and above
• Mozilla/Mozilla Firefox 1.0 and above
• Netscape 7.1 and above
• Konqueror
• Opera 7.6 and above
• Opera mobile browser 8.0 and above

What Makes Ajax Different?

• It reduces the interaction time on the web by introducing a mediator - an Ajax engine - connecting the user and the server. The browser loads an Ajax engine which is written in JavaScript and generally stored in a hidden frame.
• The Ajax engine allows the user's communication with the application to happen asynchronously without affecting communication with the server.
• It offers good compatibility with server-side languages that include ASP, PHP, ColdFusion, Perl etc. This works well for Web Spiders with a vast resource of server-side language experts.

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