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 experien... more »ced 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 Table of Contents PART 1 RETHINKING THE WEB APPLICATION .............. 1 1 A new design for the Web 3 2 First steps with Ajax 31 3 Introducing order to Ajax 69 PART 2 CORE TECHNIQUES ............................. 117 4 The page as an application 119 5 The role of the server 159 6 The user experience 211 7 Security and Ajax 246 8 Performance 279 PART 4 AJAX BY EXAMPLE ............................. 325 9 Dynamic double combo 327 10 Type-ahead suggest 361 11 The enhanced Ajax web portal 423 12 Live search using XSLT 466 13 Building stand-alone applications with Ajax 503 PART 1 RETHINKING THE WEB APPLICATION .............. 1 1 A new design for the Web 3 2 First steps with Ajax 31 3 Introducing order to Ajax 69 PART 2 CORE TECHNIQUES ............................. 117 4 The page as an application 119 5 The role of the server 159 PART 3 PROFESSIONAL AJAX ........................... 209 6 The user experience 211 7 Security and Ajax 246 8 Performance 279 PART 4 AJAX BY EXAMPLE ............................. 325 9 Dynamic double combo 327 10 Type-ahead suggest 361 11 The enhanced Ajax web portal 423 12 Live search using XSLT 466 13 Building stand-alone applications with Ajax 503