Beginning Ajax (Programmer to Programmer) (Paperback)

~ (Author), Lucinda Dykes (Author)
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Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Using proven examples and explaining concepts step by step, this book shows you how building Ajax-enabled sites and applications allows more interactive user interfaces than ever before. You’ll learn about the differences in capabilities between client-side and server-side development techniques, as well as how Ajax crosses this boundary. You’ll also discover how Ajax techniques can be summed up by patterns (which are development models that you’ll use repeatedly). With a mastery of these techniques, you’ll be able to breathe new life into your Web sites.

From the Back Cover

As one of the prime enablers of innovations such as wikis, blogs, and third-party APIs, Ajax is redefining the way Web applications are created. This book familiarizes you with the core technologies behind Ajax, and shows you how to start building Web sites using Ajax techniques. It explains concepts step-by-step, using proven examples, so that you can immediately begin applying the information.

You'll see how building Ajax-enabled sites and applications allows more interactive user interfaces than ever before. You'll learn about the differences in capabilities between client-side and server-side development techniques, as well as how Ajax crosses this boundary. You'll discover how Ajax techniques can be summed up by patterns (which are development models that you'll use repeatedly). With a mastery of these techniques, you'll be able to breathe new life into your Web sites and applications.

What you will learn from this book

• Ajax pros and cons so you know the best way to use it

• The fundamental JavaScript and DOM techniques underlying Ajax

• Methods for using the XMLHttpRequest object (the primary Ajax enabler) to call ASP.NET, PHP, and Java applications

• How to store and transmit XML data that many Ajax applications use

• How to debug JavaScript in your Ajax applications manually and how to write error handlers

• Ways to combine applications through Web services or APIs to create mashups

Who this book is for

This book is for Web developers who want to start building sites using Ajax techniques and are familiar with (X)HTML, JavaScript, and basic CSS.The reader will also need to be familiar with either PHP or ASP.NET for the server-side examples, although an extensive knowledge of either is not expected.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 498 pages
• Publisher: Wrox (March 19, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0470106751
• ISBN-13: 978-0470106754
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 7.4 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 1.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #705,927 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Very disappointing, March 28, 2008

By	Tana "Tana" (Buenos Aires) - See all my reviews

This book is really disappointing. The code examples are not at all well suited for the book's supposed target (starting level).

The first example (page 21) is too complex for a beginners' book *and* for a first chapter... and they even say so! (Quote: "Note that this example is quite complex.") I wonder, if they knew it was too complex to grasp at a first glance, why didn't they change it? They introduce even XSL without any need -this can only discourage a beginner. Believe me, I can think of a thousand better examples, and I'm not an expert in Ajax.

It doesn't get any better in the next chapters. The authors can't manage to explain fundamental things like the XMLHttpRequest object, which is an essential part of Ajax, and consequently should be an essential part of a book about Ajax for beginners.

So... I really don't recommend this book. I usually enjoy Wrox books, but I have to say this title is absolutely not worth the money. If you are a beginner, try Wiley's Ajax for Dummies instead. Hope this helps!

4 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars About the exact opposite you'd expect for a "Beginner's" book, December 5, 2007

By	Shane L. Peabody "lucifig" (NY USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

For a book aimed at those learning a new programming technique, the book commits the cardinal sin...bad code.

The code errors are rampant; sometimes blatant, sometimes not, but occur often enough that trying to follow the examples becomes a technique in frustration rather than learning. It would be fine if the exersizes were in code examination or forensics but it is intended as a beginner's book.

For the amount of money this book costs, one would be loathe to throw it away, but I feel I have no choice.