Ajax For Dummies (For Dummies (Computer Tech))

Features

• Cover Type: Paperback with 384 pages
• Published by: For Dummies March 13, 2006
• Written in: English
• ISBN 10 Number: 0471785970
• ISBN 13 Number: 978-0471785972
• Book Dimensions: 9.1 x 7.3 x 0.9 inches
• Weighs: 1.2 pounds

Product Review
"done a great job of explaining the various technologies behind Ajax." (Practical Web Design, June 2006)

"surprisingly good book" (Computer Shoppers, June 2006)

Product Description
Ajax is short for “Asynchronous JavaScript+CSS+DOM+XMLHttpRequest.”

Even if you weren’t intimidated before, that tidbit is probably enough to make you reach for the Excedrin. Just reach for Ajax For Dummies instead. With screen shots, actual code and explanations, and live Web sites where you can see Ajax applications doing their thing, it will have you using Ajax to create Web applications that look an act like desktop applications in no time. With Ajax, you can speed up and clean up your Web applications. Shoppers at your online store can fill their carts without waiting for multiple page refreshes. Searchers on your sites can get instant results on the same page.

This guide takes you on a tour of how Ajax is used today, complete with examples of Ajax applications in action, such as an Ajax-enabled Yahoo! search or an Ajax-based chat application. Then it gives you basics on using JavaScript. After that you dive in and get info on:

• Writing some Ajax, interactive mouseovers using Ajax, passing data to the server with GET or POST, and more
• Connecting to Google for a live search
• Using free Ajax frameworks so you don’t have to start from scratch, including Ajax Gold (written specifically for this book), AJAXLib, and grabbing XML with libXmlRequest
• All kinds of Ajax techniques, such as using Ajax for drag-and-drop operations, pop-up menus, downloading images behind the scenes, and more
• Using SACK (simple AJAX code kit), decoding XML with Sarissa, and creating visual effects with Rico
• Handling XML int Ajax Applications
• Working with cascading style sheets (CCS) in Ajax, including setting up the styles, displaying a menu, styling text, handling colors and backgrounds, and more
• Working with Ajax and PHP

Complete with a companion Web site, free Ajax frameworks, and sample code you can use, Ajax for Dummies is your friendly guide to creating truly easy to use Web sites!

Note: CD-ROM/DVD and other supplementary materials are not included as part of eBook file.

Reader Reviews
This might be a wonderful book but it's hard to tell through the proofreading errors. I'm only 27 pages into chapter 2 and I've already found 25 errors. The errors might be manageable to someone who already knows how to program in JavaScript. But for those new to the language the errors will drive you crazy. There's no excuse for this kind of sloppiness in publishing. Whoever proofread this book ought to be fired.