Product DescriptionVal's Blog 'A tremendously useful field guide specifically written for developers down in the trenches...waiting for the killer solution...'
Book Description Web users are getting tired of the traditional web experience. They get frustrated losing their scroll position; they get annoyed waiting for refresh; they struggle to reorient themselves on every new page. And the list goes on. With asynchronous JavaScript and XML, known as 'Ajax,' you can give them a better experience. Once users have experienced an Ajax interface, they hate to go back. Ajax is new way of thinking that can result in a flowing and intuitive interaction with the user.
Ajax in Action helps you implement that thinking--it explains how to distribute the application between the client and the server (hint: use a 'nested MVC' design) while retaining the integrity of the system. You will learn how to ensure your app is flexible and maintainable, and how good, structured design can help avoid problems like browser incompatibilities. Along the way it helps you unlearn many old coding habits. Above all, it opens your mind to the many advantages gained by placing much of the processing in the browser. If you are a web developer who has prior experience with web technologies, this book is for you.
What's Inside - Ajax principles - Why Ajax design patterns matter - How to avoid Ajax pitfalls - Examples of Ajax in action: type-ahead suggest, live searching using XSL, and many more. - Examples using Ajax frameworks: Prototype, Scriptaculous, x and Rico - Ajax usability, security, and performance
Customer Reviews
Average Rating:
Rating: - if you are not under pressure, read it
So you are going to read a book about Ajax and wonder if does make sense to read this one or another one like Ajax in Practice from Manning, or Head Rush Ajax, Professional Ajax, Pro Ajax and Java Frameworks to note only a few.
If you decide to have a look at this one, take care: the material is really deep. Definitely it is not an "instant" style like "for dummies" or "in 10 minutes", so if you think you will be an Ajax expert after reading 10 pages just
have a look at another one, ... Read More
Rating: - Great Book for that AJAX Geek In Us
This one thick book that covers AJAX quite well. It discusses the meaning and history of the mesh of technologies that make up AJAX, various techniques and even covers some sample projects. It took me a few times to get through the book, but I do recommend it. It's a great read for anyone doing any web development.
Rating: - Incredible depth and information- don't trust the uninformed!
I read through some other user reviews before digging into this, and I noticed one major flaw in most of the lower-rated reviews: none of the reviewers seem to understand Ajax, nor what it is defined as (Asynchronous Javascript + XML)- Ajax is not some magical new scripting language, and this book is not for the person who doesn't understand the basics of OO programming or Javascript.
The book sets out to teach the reader everything they need to know about Ajax, and in that regard it ... Read More
Rating: - Verbos : Thick book, thin in useful information
I tried reading the book (up to chapter 8) still could not find a piece of useful information written properly or completely. Vague writing. I don't think the author has actual experience Ajax or design patterns ,he talks about.
The chapters and sample codes looks more like written by a beginner . Too much plumbing and bad coding practice.
And did I said verbose ?
Rating: - Extremely Comprehensive for Beginner Through Intermediate
This book covers lots of ground coming in at 600 pages of real content. I almost gave this book 3 stars until I re-read it. It may seem verbose for the more experienced programmer, but I think would be a perfect read for the novice Javascript programmer. It really is packed full of great implementation ideas and good practices, such as the use of software patterns (MVC, singleton, adapter) and extensive code refactoring. There are tons of screen shots, images, diagrams, code examples and snippets, ... Read More
- if you are not under pressure, read it
- Incredible depth and information- don't trust the uninformed!
- Verbos : Thick book, thin in useful information 
