Lately, you may have been hearing more and more about
Ajax and begun to wonder how it could be beneficial to your business's
web application development projects. First, it is important to start
with an understanding of this type of web programming. While the
concept is not new - it has existed since 1998 - the term did not come
into being until February 2005, when Jesse James Garrett coined it as a
way to shorten the combination of three technologies that he was going
to be using for web application development: Asynchronous JavaScript
and XML. This recent phrasing may partially explain why Ajax
programming has become such a hot concept for businesses to explore.
Today,
Ajax is being used in web application development by many major players
on the web, including Google, which pioneered its use in a mainstream
manner with its Google Maps service, as well as many web-based email
systems. This is as a direct result of the updating of computer
technology in general - today's average computer user has a faster
network connection, a faster machine, and a higher level of computer
knowledge than those that used computers ten years ago, opening the
door for more complex technologies to be used by a wider array of
websites. On the other hand, web programming using Ajax is not
necessary for a site to be successful; sites such as Amazon and eBay,
which are clearly doing well in the business arena, are either not
using this form of web programming at all or are using it sparingly.
Still, web programming with Ajax has quickly been incorporated into web application development as a new style.
The Basics of Web Programming with Ajax
At
its core, Ajax web programming enables a web application development
team to create a site that allows users to perform certain functions
without the need for redrawing or reloading an entire screen. For
example, Google Maps allows users to scroll through a map seamlessly -
a technique so revolutionary that it was later adopted by other map
sites such as MapQuest and Yahoo Maps. Web-based Email programs using
Ajax web programming allow users to open a message without reloading
their entire interface. Sites that allow voting or rating, such as
Netflix and YouTube, let users click on an array of stars to rate a
film or video without ever leaving the initial screen. And even
shopping sites such as Gap.com use Ajax programming to give users the
feel of a true virtual shopping cart - users place items into their
cart without leaving the product page.
In addition, web
programming with Ajax can be used to create what are known as "mashups"
- situations where content from two different web applications can be
combined into a third, newly useful application. For example, the
apartment listings from Craigslist were crossed with Google Maps to
create a site that allows users to see apartment locations on the map.
Benefits of Using Ajax for Web Application Development
Web
programming with Ajax offers a business several key benefits in its web
application development. It offers site developers an extra level of
innovation that can make a site easier to use for all visitors. When
implemented correctly, Ajax will also give users the feeling that a web
application is more responsive than a traditional web site. It can also
allow a business to give its site new functionality and new services to
be used by partners or clients. Finally, it simply can give parity to a
business. Competitors may already be using Ajax on their sites, and it
may be in a business's best interest to have its web application
development team implement Ajax on its own site as well. Customers may
also be asking for the new services if they have seen them on other
competitor sites.
Caveats for Businesses Considering Ajax Programming
However,
there are many things to be careful of when implementing web
programming with Ajax as well. While it does seem like the latest
thing, a business should not go overboard in its use during web
application development. Primarily, this type of web programming can
make a site more difficult for visitors to use. The web is at its core
a very user-friendly system, but Ajax can introduce new behaviors that
people may not be ready for or may be confused by. This can cause
visitors to leave your site quickly, without actually performing the
tasks, making the purchases, or reading the information that you had
provided. Ajax programing can also create a host of other problems with
which businesses should be concerned.
First, and rather simply,
using Ajax web programming can cause the back button to behave
differently than a visitor might expect. The bookmark function may also
not work as it does on more traditionally programmed sites. There are
ways around these issues that can be implemented during web application
development, but the fixes require a bit of extra time and skill when
adding in the additional code.
Ajax programming can also
interfere with search engine optimization efforts. Search engines will
not see content that may be hidden until revealed by a user's actions.
If a business wants to combine Ajax with SEO, its web application
development team will have to be careful to make sure that any
optimized content is always immediately visible, and that hidden
content is not critical to the success of an SEO campaign.
Importantly,
Ajax can open up a webserver to have an increased attack surface. This
form of web programming unfortunately gives a hacker more ways to get
into the server than there were before. The solution to this is to make
sure that the web application development team is more vigilant about
security and testing, and to constantly keep watch on the activity
occurring on the site. In addition, since different browsers read Ajax
differently, the web application development team will also have to do
additional testing for accessibility.
Conclusion
The
issues with Ajax are rather widely known. Now the critical issue is how
this type of web programming can be useful for businesses that are
creating and updating their websites. The most important thing to
remember when exploring the use of Ajax with web application
development is to use it with caution and with care. Overuse or
improper implementation can cause major issues to a website, but when
used judiciously it can bring new functionality and new features to a
site. And that can lead to more, happier visitors, which is always the
goal.