Introduction to AJAX

AJAX can be used to create fast, dynamic Web pages.

AJAX is a technique that updates some pages without reloading the entire page.


The basics you should have

Before you move on, you need to have a basic understanding of the following:

  • HTML / XHTML

  • Css

  • JavaScript / DOM

If you would like to learn about these projects first, please visit these tutorials on our home page.


What is AJAX?

AJAX - Asynchronous JavaScript and XML.

AJAX is a technology for creating fast, dynamic web pages.

AJAX is a new technology that uses XML, HTML, CSS, and Java Script to create better, faster, and more interactive Web applications.

AJAX is a Web browser technology independent of Web server software.

AJAX uses XHTML as content, and CSS uses document object models and JavaScript for dynamic content display.

AJAX enables asynchronous updates of web pages by exchanging small amounts of data with the server in the background. This means that a portion of the page can be updated without reloading the entire page.

Traditional web pages (without AJAX) need to overload the entire web page if content needs to be updated.

With AJAX, JavaScript makes a request to the server to interpret the results and update the current screen when you click Submit.

Users can continue to use the application when the client program requests information from the server in the background.

Data-driven rather than page-driven.

There are many examples of apps using AJAX: Sina Weibo, Google Maps, Happy.com, and more.

Note: A jax is not a new programming language, but a technology for creating better, faster and more interactive Web applications.

How AJAX works

Introduction to AJAX


AJAX is based on existing Internet standards

AJAX is based on existing Internet standards and uses them jointly:

  • XMLHttpRequest object (asynchronous data exchange with server)

  • JavaScript/DOM (Information Display/Interaction)

  • CSS (Styles for Data Definition)

  • XML (as the format for converting data)

Introduction to AJAX AJAX applications are browser- and platform-independent!


Google Suggest

In 2005, Google made AJAX popular through its Google Suggest.

Google Suggest uses AJAX to create a highly dynamic web interface: when you enter keywords in Google's search box, JavaScript sends those characters to the server, which then returns a list of search suggestions.


Start using AJAX today

AJAX is based on existing standards. These standards have been used by most developers for many years.

Now that you have a preliminary understanding of AJAX, read on to the next chapter to see how AJAX works!