Chapter 3. Simplifying Ajax with Prototype

This chapter covers

  • Redesigning QuickGallery for Ajax
  • Using XML and Ajax
  • Using JSON and Ajax

At the heart of Ajax is the ability to make asynchronous requests to the server, and thereby separate communications from the user interface. The impact of this on usability can’t be overstated. It allows the user to get on with the job while the web app gets on with its own housekeeping duties, without the two coming into conflict. Increasing usability not only makes the current round of web apps easier to use, it extends the reach of the web app to far more demanding usage scenarios, right up to the mission-critical apps that are used intensively, day-in, day-out.

In chapter 1, we saw how complicated dealing ...

Get Prototype and Scriptaculous in Action now with the O’Reilly learning platform.

O’Reilly members experience books, live events, courses curated by job role, and more from O’Reilly and nearly 200 top publishers.