Ajax in Action, Manning
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Contents |
C# Online.NET Book Review
This book is a comprehensive guide to enhancing the Web user experience from both the client and server sides using the mix of technologies known as Ajax. It offers a thorough and detailed look at the Javascript, XML, and XMLHttpRequest involved. And, it introduces the use of third-party packages to simplify Ajax development. Finally, there are three useful appendices on Ajax tools, object-oriented Javascript—ouststanding, and Ajax frameworks and libraries.
The examples are well chosen and well illustrated. My favorite ones are the live search and word completion examples—both of which I plan to employ soon. The authors not only show how to build Ajax applications but why they make the choices they do.
Of course, most of the example code is Javascript. Server-side example code is given in C#, Java, and PHP. This means that, despite the fact that much of the book is spent on the server side, a lot of it will not apply directly to your particular situation. If you are not already proficient in Javascript, you may find the book's habit of introducing some Javascript but not explaining it until some time later to be a bit confusing.
If you are already an accomplished DHTML and Javascript programmer, totally familiar with the Model-View-Controller and the Gang of Four design patterns, and are looking for a small, Cliff's Notes on Ajax, you may find this book to be a bit verbose. However, if you want to really examine the Web user experience and explore the techniques and optimizations which are available through Ajax techniques in detail, then you will find this book engrossing and enlightening.
A simple test for which side of the coin you fall on is found on page 537 in the 13.7 Refactoring section:
"Now that we have a fully developed script for reading RSS feeds, let's take the time once again to improve upon our efforts."
Upon reading this, if you would think, "Refactor! Again! I don't have time for this," then this is not the book for you. But, if you would think, "Wow, I am really learning this stuff inside and out," then you will appreciate this book. Personally, I like it; because, I work this way myself—getting something working and only then cleaning it up and refactoring.
The basic Ajax principles are covered quickly. so, if you are not already acquainted with them, you may find that the basics are covered rather too quickly. Following the basic stuff, the book gets down to business fast with specific Ajax usage and finishes out with practical examples.
Having said all this, this book is the most comprehensive guide to using Ajax and associated patterns that I have yet seen.
Bottom line
Ajax in Action is an excellent, comprehensive, overview of Ajax techniques—keep it handy.
Other books in this series
From the back cover
Web users are getting tired of the traditional web experience. They get frustrated losing their scroll position; they get annoyed waiting for refresh; they struggle to reorient themselves on every new page. And the list goes on. With asynchronous JavaScript and XML, known as "Ajax," you can give them a better experience. Once users have experienced an Ajax interface, they hate to go back. Ajax is new way of thinking that can result in a flowing and intuitive interaction with the user.
Ajax in Action helps you implement that thinking--it explains how to distribute the application between the client and the server (hint: use a "nested MVC" design) while retaining the integrity of the system. You will learn how to ensure your app is flexible and maintainable, and how good, structured design can help avoid problems like browser incompatibilities. Along the way it helps you unlearn many old coding habits. Above all, it opens your mind to the many advantages gained by placing much of the processing in the browser. If you are a web developer who has prior experience with web technologies, this book is for you.
What's Inside
- Ajax principles
- Why Ajax design patterns matter
- How to avoid Ajax pitfalls
- Examples of Ajax in action: type-ahead suggest, live searching using XSL, and many more.
- Examples using Ajax frameworks: Prototype, Scriptaculous, x and Rico
- Ajax usability, security, and performance
About the author(s)
Dave Crane has pushed the boundaries of DHTML, and latterly Ajax, on digital TV set-top boxes, in home automation and banking and financial systems. He lives in Gloucestershire, UK.
Eric Pascarello is an ASP.NET developer and a moderator of the HTML and JavaScript forum at JavaRanch. He lives in Laurel, MD.
Darren James is the architect of the open source Rico project. He lives in Sunnyvale, CA.
Categories: CSharp-Online.NET Reviews | CSharp-Online.NET Book Reviews | Javascript (Web 2.0) Book Reviews
