What do Google Maps, Facebook, and Amazon all have in common? If you answered AJAX, you’re right!
AJAX is one of the most important techniques in web development because it allows developers to create applications that are more dynamic and interactive.
In this article, we’ll show you how AJAX works and why it’s so important in web development. Also, check this guide to submit a form without refreshing.
What is AJAX?
Before diving into why AJAX is so important, let’s break down what it means and how it works.
At its simplest definition, AJAX (which stands for asynchronous JavaScript and XML) is a programming technique that adds functionality to webpages without reloading them.
Using an XMLHttpRequest, a piece of code sends information from your server to a webpage without leaving it or interrupting its function.
For instance, clicking update bank balance on a banking site won’t cause that page to reload; instead, the new balance will be displayed immediately using the AJAX code.
When should I use it?
Just as programming languages have their strengths and weaknesses, so do web design techniques. Knowing when to use one technique over another can mean more than just having a better-looking website.
For instance, HTML5 and CSS3 (the most recent versions of these coding languages) make it easy for designers to create websites with animation, transitions, and even video without forcing viewers to download large files from their internet browsers.
In other words, these new technologies help a website perform well on mobile devices – but only if they’re used correctly.
This makes performance an important thing for both programmers and designers to keep in mind; otherwise, your code might be beautiful but your user experience won’t be nearly as good.
How do I implement it?
If you’re just starting to learn AJAX, you might be wondering how to add it to your site. There are two main ways you can go about doing so: directly into a page or through JavaScript libraries.
A direct implementation requires putting code into your HTML code, but it’s harder for other developers to recognize and could potentially run slower than an externally hosted library.
When choosing a library, make sure that you check its license (it should be open source) and that it supports all of your browsers. Try it out for yourself with our Hello World sample below!
Other resources on the subject
If you’re looking to learn more about web development, I have compiled a list of my favorite blogs and books.
The list includes some of my personal favorites (and those of my co-workers) and provides recommendations for beginners, intermediates, and experts alike.
You can check it out here. It includes a lot of information on front-end frameworks like AngularJS as well as CSS preprocessors such as LESS, Sass, and Stylus. I hope you find it useful!
Conclusion
AJAX is an important development tool for web developers. Without it, users would not be able to get updates on their pages as quickly as they can now. AJAX makes websites more interactive, cutting down on load times, and saving you money.
AJAX offers a lot of other benefits in terms of user experience and application performance, all because of how it allows you to manipulate content dynamically without having to reload a page.
As AJAX gets more popular, developers will continue to find new ways to leverage its powers in creating awesome digital experiences.
