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 user-friendly Web sites!

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

Amazon.com® Reader Reviews (Ranked by Helpfulness)

Average Amazon.com® Rating:  Based on 16 Ratings

Great For All But ASP.NET Developers - 2008-10-10
Reviewer Rating:
Nothing makes me happier than when I pick up a title for full price and it successfully demystifies a topic before I reach the end of the first chapter. I'm sure I'm not alone when I admit that although AJAX has been around for a decade now, up until recently I've never had a web development task that would benefit from it. But when I did, boy did I, and I found myself needing to get up to speed with at least the basics very quickly. I've never been a huge fan of the For Dummies series, but this author succeeded in presenting the material in a concise and rapid manner with a writing style that isn't to "cutsie" and doesn't try to complicate or put excessive importance on the subject. I appreciated greatly that once the topic was explained and understood (seriously, first chapter), the remainder of the book whet on to demonstrating usage of AJAX in a practical / production environment showing interactions with web services, XML, server-sent JavaScript, as well as plain text responses.

Although prefect for those that have zero info on AJAX, a decent foundation in HTML and [fill in your favorite web server platform here] is required. Pleasantly enough, server-side development isn't a prerequisite for this book, although later chapters do utilize PHP. Experience with JavaScript is also a must, even though Chapter 2 provides a light tutorial on the subject.

My only caution is that if you are looking to introduce yourself to AJAX for ASP.NET, look elsewhere. Like many other things Microsoft, same name, different critter. Other titles dedicate themselves to AJAX for .NET for a good reason.

Up and running instantly! - 2008-05-27
Reviewer Rating:
This book is just great. It's easy to digest, and the examples are really useful. Best of all, it explains the right way AND the wrong way. Long story short; before this book I couldn't use or understand Ajax and now I use it a lot and understand it perfectly.

Great Book - 2008-04-22
Reviewer Rating:
I'm never disappointed with Dummies books and this one is no exception. Great read, easy to learn.

Fantastic - 2008-04-05
Reviewer Rating:
I borrowed this book from the library. I liked it from page one, this book explains things from beginning and lets you get into things needed later for ajax, that you maybe know some about, like javascript, but gives you a great in detail use of it. I have done very little java, but feel pretty confident about it now.

The book has alot of source code written, with great examples and sources of the examples on net. If you want to learn AJAX I can recommend it, but I will recommend it for intermediate users, with general programming knowledge. If you dont have that I bet there are other good "... for dummies" books out there.

I finally destroyed the library book with an coffee incident, so I ordered the book from Amazon. Got it in a week, and for a great price. If any norwegians read this, I payed a total of 150,- NOK, including shipment! And thats way cheaper than going to a store here and buy it. Great, Amazon. Happy customer signing off. :)

Great way to break into Ajax - 2008-02-08
Reviewer Rating:
The book was easy to read and really showed what was happening under the covers.

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