Ajax Construction Kit: Building Plug-and-Play Ajax Applications...

• Cover Type: Paperback with 312 pages
• Published by: Prentice Hall PTR July 9, 2007
• Written in: English
• ISBN 10 Number: 0132350084
• ISBN 13 Number: 978-0132350082
• Book Dimensions: 8.9 x 6.9 x 0.9 inches
• Weighs: 1.4 pounds

You’ve heard how great Ajax is--how it can help make your Web sites more usable, more interactive, more responsive, more successful. Ajax Construction Kit lets you put Ajax to work right now, even if you’ve never written a script! Just learn a few essentials, check out a few examples, then run the live CD and discover all the plug-and-play code you need to hit the ground running. Ajax Construction Kit’s built-in applications work right out of the box. And with easy guidance from Michael Morrison, you’ll gradually deepen your understanding--learn how to customize, extend, and reuse these applications---and even build skills for creating new ones. Walk away an expert.

Use Ajax Construction Kit’s ten complete applications to

• Dynamically load Web data
• Dynamically populate lists
• Tap into RSS news feeds
• Use AutoComplete to reduce input errors
• Create more responsive GUIs with real-time validation
• Build a killer interface for viewing images
• Present information or advertising with slick pop-ups
• Provide an up-to-the-minute weather forecast
• Build an e-commerce product shipping calculator
• Add ratings tools to your site

And more

CD-ROM Includes

• Your complete Ajax projects: Run the Ajax projects (HTML, JavaScript, and PHP source code) that are included on the CD from your Windows, Mac OS X, or Linux system.
• Your complete Ajax environment: Boot the CD as an Ubuntu Linux live CD to immediately begin working with the Ajax projects (no setup required).
• Ready-to-run tools on the CD include the XAMPP Web server, Firefox Web browser, and Bluefish HTML editor.

System Requirements:

• Platform: Windows, Linux, Mac (OS X or higher)
• Processor: Intel-based processor (Pentium or higher)
• Memory: 128 MB RAM or more
• Disk space: None required; USB thumb drive optional to store data
• Optical drive: CD reader

Negus Live Linux Series

Your Practical, Hands-On Guides to Getting Real Results with Free Software

Add the free software and examples from the book’s CD to your Windows, Mac OS X, or Linux system to follow along with the projects described in the book. Or boot the CD directly to use a complete, prepackaged set of free software tools to play, display, and modify those projects. Start as a novice, by trying out examplesand finish with professional Ajax-enabled Web content!

SERIES EDITOR CHRISTOPHER NEGUS is the bestselling author of the Red Hat Linux Bible series, Linux Toys series, and this series’ flagship title, Linux Live CDs.

 

About The Author

Michael Morrison is a writer, developer, toy inventor, and author of a variety of books covering topics such as Java, Web scripting, game development, and mobile devices. Some of Michael’s notable writing projects include JavaScript Bible, 6^th Edition (Wiley, 2006), Teach Yourself HTML and CSS in 24 Hours, 7th Edition (Sams Publishing, 2005), Beginning Mobile Phone Game Programming (Sams Publishing, 2004), and Java Unleashed (Sams Publishing, 1997). Michael is the instructor of several Web-based courses, including DigitalThink’s Introduction to Java 2 series, JavaBeans for Programmers series, and Win32 Programming series (www.digitalthink.com). In addition to his primary profession as a writer and technical consultant, Michael is the founder of Stalefish Labs (www.stalefishlabs.com), an entertainment company specializing in games, toys, and interactive media. When not glued to his computer, skateboarding, playing hockey, or watching movies with his wife, Masheed, Michael enjoys hanging out by his koi pond.

Reader Reviews
I don't think I've seen another "learning Ajax" book where the author dared assume you know next to nothing about Javascript or PHP, but that's exactly what this author does, and he makes it work beautifully. He has a hands-on approach, doesn't bother with explaining things you don't need to know, and jumps right in to the important stuff: here's something that works, here's the code, and if you look right *here*, that's where you could start tinkering to make it something you could use.. a very refreshing approach. I like his style, I like the book. Good job. Comes with a LiveCD so you can play with everything presented.