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Kit
09-22-2006, 07:05 PM
So my job wants me to learn Ajax in about a month to month and a half. I don't have to be an expert by then, but at least get by with the basics. I've been reading up on Ajax and am still not quite sure what exactly it is. Anyway, my question to you wonderful folks is, are there good tutorial web-sites or books for Ajax? When I googled it, the most informative site I came up with regarding Ajax is Wikipedia.org. I'm looking for a site that will start me at the very very basics and work me up. I understand that Ajax is combination of other things (Javascript, XML, etc.) but I'm not 100% sure yet how they all work together. I don't know XML, but I do know HTML and I know nothing about Javascript.

Another question in regards to Ajax, how popular is it? Just wondering if a lot of companies use it, i.e. will it look good on my resume when I go apply for jobs after graduation.

Thanks in advance!
maxymizer
09-23-2006, 12:06 AM
A few resources. (http://www.webhostingtalk.com/showthread.php?t=516354).
Web developers handbook, a must see (http://www.alvit.de/handbook/).

Will it look good on your resume? Can't hurt, but I'd personally laugh when someone would write they know AJAX but don't know XML / basics of JS. Anyway, a months time is more than enough to become an expert.
boonchuan
09-23-2006, 12:13 AM
You may want to try Microsoft Atlas, they have quite comprehensive information at http://atlas.asp.net
drig
09-23-2006, 01:22 AM
http://www.sitepoint.com/subcat/javascript
Kit
09-23-2006, 02:48 AM
Well if I learn Ajax I'd also have to pick up XML and Javascript right? Because isn't XML and Javascript big components of Ajax?

Thanks for the links guys! :D
Burhan
09-23-2006, 03:32 AM
Yeah I know Ajax, its the stuff we use to clean the bathroom :D

Learn XML (just enough to know how files are structured); Javascript (invest most of your time here) and CSS.

Then, find some Ajax toolkit and learn its API. Then you are set.
maxymizer
09-23-2006, 04:06 AM
fyrestrtr, Ajax also plays very good soccer games :D

Well if I learn Ajax I'd also have to pick up XML and Javascript right? Because isn't XML and Javascript big components of Ajax?


Of course :)

Also, note that many sites do not use XML. They're RPCing without getting data back in XML format. You'll get into that later, so good luck with your learning.
Omega-Mark
09-24-2006, 10:34 AM
there's a good tutorial in the subforum in here.
Kit
09-24-2006, 11:31 PM
haha, I didn't even realize we had that subforum. thanks for the heads up.
zombbb
09-25-2006, 08:42 AM
Try with mozilla - developer i begin from it.
Have some typical code for ajax.

Regards
<< signature belongs in profile >>
nnormal
09-25-2006, 11:36 AM
ajax is almost 100% javascript and almost 0% xml (does anyone actually use XMLHttpRequest.responseXML ??). Most people just use it to request html with XMLHttpRequest.responseText. There is also the issue of the back end. There is an example with java here (http://java.sun.com/developer/technicalArticles/J2EE/AJAX/index.html?cid=59754)
and an example using itunes here (http://developer.apple.com/internet/webcontent/xmlhttpreq.html)

and a very simple example with php:


<? if ( (isset($_GET['p'])) && ($_GET['p'] == 'info') ) {phpinfo(); die();} ?>
<html>
<head>
<script>
var xmlreq; // i hold the request object
var dataframe; // i hold the id of the dataframe

function callback() {
var e;
if (xmlreq.readyState == 4) {
e=document.getElementById(dataframe);
if (!e) return false;
// update the HTML DOM based on whether or not message is valid
if (xmlreq.status == 200) e.innerHTML=xmlreq.responseText;
else e.innerHTML='Error - '+xmlreq.statusText;
}
}

function request(url,toframe) {

dataframe=toframe;
if (window.XMLHttpRequest) xmlreq = new XMLHttpRequest();
else if (window.ActiveXObject) xmlreq = new ActiveXObject("Microsoft.XMLHTTP");
else return false;
xmlreq.onreadystatechange = callback;
xmlreq.open("GET", url, true);
xmlreq.setRequestHeader("Content-Type", "text/html");
xmlreq.send("");
}

</script>
</head>


<body>
<div id="dataframe">
<!--- filled by request --->
</div>

<script>
request('ajax.php?p=info','dataframe');
</script>
</body>
</html>
Burhan
09-26-2006, 06:11 AM
ajax is almost 100% javascript and almost 0% xml (does anyone actually use XMLHttpRequest.responseXML ??). Most people just use it to request html with XMLHttpRequest.responseText.

Actually, the opposite is true.
DoMeric
09-26-2006, 03:18 PM
Going old fashioned there are a couple of good books on the subject that can get you jump started really well.

O'Reilly's Head First on Ajax is pretty good for walking you through. Then of course their Ajax hacks book to step it up.

I tend to like books for jumping into things because they lead you through a great path to learn all the concepts.
Kit
09-27-2006, 07:57 PM
I guess what I'm confused about now is, is AJAX isn't it's own separate language, right? In other words, should I have a firm grasp of XML and Javascript first? Or will I be learning XML and Javascript as I learn AJAX?
DoMeric
09-27-2006, 08:53 PM
AJAX is a combination of technologies. If you "learn" AJAX you'll pick up JavaScript, XML and DOM.
stealthservers
09-28-2006, 03:34 AM
http://www.ez-ajax.com/