book

Ajax: The Definitive Guide

Name: Ajax: The Definitive Guide
Author: Anthony T. Holdener III
ISBN: 9780596528386

by Anthony T. Holdener III

January 2008

Intermediate to advanced

980 pages

28h 47m

English

O'Reilly Media, Inc.

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Ajax: The Definitive Guide
Dedication
A Note Regarding Supplemental Files
Preface
Who Should Read This BookWeb DevelopersManagersHow This Book Is OrganizedConventions Used in This BookUsing Code ExamplesHow to Contact UsSafari® Books OnlineAcknowledgments
I. Ajax Fundamentals
1. Reinventing the Web
Web Page ComponentsClassic Web ComponentsAjaxCase StudyThe application thenThe application nowModern Web StandardsXHTMLJavaScriptThe DOMCascading Style Sheets (CSS)XMLSyndicationRSSAtomXSLTBrowsersGeckoTridentKHTML/WebCorePrestoOthersStandards ComplianceWelcome to Web 2.0
2. From Web Sites to Web Applications
The TransitionPlanningDesignImplementationTest and ReleaseBasic Web and Ajax Design PatternsClient/ServerBasic Three-TierModel-View-ControllerRich Internet ApplicationsApplication EnvironmentsIntranetCommercialEducationalGovernmentSpecific ContentThe DeveloperWhat Ajax Is Not
3. Servers, Databases, and the Web
The Web ServerCGIFastCGIServletsSSIServer-Side ScriptingASP/ASP.NETPHPPythonRubyJavaDatabasesOracleMicrosoft SQL ServerIBM DB2Open Source Databases: MySQL and PostgreSQLNonrelational Database ModelsGetting Data Into and Out of Relational DatabasesInterfacing the InterfaceFrameworks and LanguagesThe .NET FrameworkRuby on RailsJava FrameworksJakarta StrutsSpringTapestryPython FrameworksDjangoZopePHP FrameworksCakePHPZoopZendWhat Good Are Frameworks?
4. Foundations: Scripting XML and JSON
XMLXML Requests and ResponsesParsingXML in a StringXPathXSLTJSONJSON Requests and ResponsesParsingChoosing a Data Exchange FormatA Quick Introduction to Client FrameworksThe Dojo ToolkitPrototypescript.aculo.usmoo.fxDWRjQuerySarissaOthersSimplifying DevelopmentPrototype Helper FunctionsPrototype and Ajax
5. Manipulating the DOM
Understanding the DOMWe’ve Already MetManipulating DOM Elements, Attributes, and ObjectsCreating Elements, Attributes, and ObjectsModifying and Removing Elements, Attributes, and ObjectsElement, Attribute, and Object InformationWalking the DOMChange That StyleModifying and Removing StyleStyle InformationWhat About Internet Explorer?Events in the DOMCreating EventsInitializing, Firing, Adding, and Removing EventsEvent InformationWhat About Internet Explorer? Part IIDOM Stuff for TablesIs innerHTML Evil?

6. Designing Ajax Interfaces
UsabilityWhat Can Go Wrong?Bloat, bloat, bloatPoor focusObscurityLack of navigationExpecting too much from your end usersWeb reading stylePrinciples for the Ajax WebMinimalist and aesthetic structureFlexibility and efficiencyConsistencyNavigationFeedbackDocumentation and helpFunctionalityCommon Web ToolsTools in a Desktop ApplicationWhat Can Be Done?VisualizationLayoutFontsImages and IconsAccessibilityW3C-WAIIs This Important?Ajax Accessibility IssuesWhen All Else FailsThe Ajax Interface
II. Ajax Foundations
7. Laying Out Site Navigation
MenusSimple Navigation BarButton and Image NavigationAdvanced buttonsImage rollovers the Ajax wayDrop-Down MenusThe File MenuAdding Ajax to the menuTabsCSS to the RescueImage TabsThe Tab ContentNavigation AidsBreadcrumbsLinks at the BottomPaged NavigationNavigation BoxesTrees, trees, treesVertical listsAccordion NavigationAjax and Page LoadingProblems with Ajax NavigationBookmarksThe Browser’s Back ButtonGeneral Layout
8. Fun with Tables and Lists
Layout Without TablesOld LayoutsUsing CSSAccessible TablesInteracting with TablesAjax and TablesSorting TablesJavaScript SortingSorting with AjaxAnd the Winner Is...Tables with StyleKeeping Style with SortsTable PaginationMaking Pages with JavaScriptAjax Table PaginationSorting Paginated TablesLists 2.0What We’ve Already SeenLists for All SeasonsTable of ContentsSortable ListsAjax and the Draggable ListAn Ajax Slide Show
9. Page Layout with Frames That Aren’t
Using FramesThe Frameset and FrameThe iframe CrazeXHTML and FramesThe Deprecated OnesIf Frames Are a MustUsing iframes As FramesThe Magic of Ajax and a DIVLaying Out the “Frame”Inserting ContentPage LayoutThink About Being DynamicThe Proven TheoryLet CSS Be Your Guide
10. Navigation Boxes and Windows
The Alert BoxIntegrating the WindowThe Window StyleMoving the WindowNavigation WindowsPlacing Content into WindowsInformation BoxesReplacing Alerts, Prompts, Confirms, and So OnTool TipsThe Necessary Pop Up
11. Customizing the Client
Browser CustomizationsStylesheetsFont SizesCharacter EncodingStylesheet SwitchingCreating the StylesheetsAlternate StylesheetsThe Switching ObjectRemembering the User’s SelectionSwitching Different CustomizationsEasy Font-Size SwitchingUsing Relative SizesThe Font CSSA Font-Size Slider BarCreating Color ThemesRemember the ZenThe Rest Is the SameThrowing Ajax into the MixPreparing the Structure for ChangeArrays to Store Ever-Changing InformationChanging Site Language with AjaxThe JSON to SendSwitching Out the DataA Faster Alternative?Repositioning Objects and Keeping Those PositionsDragging Objects AroundStoring Information in a DatabaseSending Changes with AjaxStoring It All in the Database
12. Errors: To Be (in Style) or Not to Be
Error Handling on the WebJavaScript ErrorsServer-Side ErrorsServer scripting errorsDatabase errorsExternal errorsShould I React to That Error?Trapping an Errortry...catch...finallyThrowing an errorAjax gone wrongIgnorable ErrorsHold It Right There!Handling an Error with CareNotifying the UserEmailing the DeveloperLogging to a DatabaseIntegrating the User ErrorFollowing Site DesignUser Instructions for the Error
13. This Ain’t Your Father’s Animation
Animation on the WebThe History of the GIF FormatHow Does It Work?The file structurePalettesWhat Is Wrong with GIF?Color DepthAlpha TransparencyBuilding Animation with the PNG FormatWhat Is Different About a PNG?The PNG CSSJavaScript LoopingPutting It All TogetherAdding Ajax to Our AnimationsAjax AnimationsFrameworks Are the Way to GoDragging and DroppingThe script.aculo.us objectsDojo Toolkit draggingDragging with other frameworksMoving ObjectsHow frameworks do itOther Animations on the WebObject manipulationsDrawing libraries
14. A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Form
XHTML FormsForm ElementsAccessible FormsAccessibilityUsabilityUsing JavaScriptGetting Form ValuesSimplicity with PrototypeFancier FormsCSS and FormsMore functional radio buttons and checkboxesFake drop downsUsing Libraries and ToolkitsDojoZapatecThe Basics of Ajax and FormsGET/POST Form Data Without Using the Form SubmitAccepting Ajax-Delivered DataGET/POST/RAW POSTEmail Form DataSaving Form Data in a DatabaseGetting File UploadsSending Data Back to the ClientServer ResponsesReporting Success/FailureHandling Other Server Responses
15. Data Validation: Client, Server, or Both
Data Validation Is ImportantValidation with JavaScriptValue CheckingUsing Regular ExpressionsSpecialized Data CheckingPhone numbersEmail addressesSocial Security numbersCredit cardsA Validation ObjectUsing Libraries to ValidateCSS Notification of ErrorsCSS Error RulesJavaScript Rule SwitchingValidation on the ServerDid We Get What We Expected?Protecting the DatabaseValue Checking on the ServerReturning ProblemsAjax Client/Server ValidationOn-the-Fly CheckingClient and Server Checking in One
III. Ajax in Applications
16. Search: The New Frontier
Types of Site SearchesKeyword SearchingFull Text ParsingPage IndexingDatabase searchingSearch Engines for Local UseAdvanced SearchingDynamic Searching with AjaxGiving HintsSending Results to the ClientGoogling a SiteGoogle’s AJAX Search APIGSearchControlGSearchFormGwebSearchUsing Google’s AJAX Search APIGwebResultDisplaying ResultsThe responseSite formatting
17. Introducing Web Services
What Is a Web Service?Web Service ArchitecturesRemote Procedure CallService-Oriented ArchitectureWeb Service StandardsSOAPWeb Services Description LanguageUniversal Discovery, Description, and IntegrationRepresentational State TransferAjax and Web ServicesClient RequestsServer-Side Scripting to ServicesGathering the DataSending the Web Service ResponseWeb FeedsScrapingSyndicationRSS and AtomFeed ValidationWeb Service APIs
18. Web Services: The APIs
Publicly Available Web ServicesBlogging ServicesBookmark ServicesFinancial ServicesMapping ServicesMusic/Video ServicesNews/Weather ServicesPhoto ServicesReference ServicesSearch ServicesShopping ServicesOther ServicesAjax and the APIXMLHttpRequest and the Web ServiceThe Next Step with Services
19. Mashups
Mashups in Web 2.0 ApplicationsWhat Are Mashups?A Brief HistoryMashups As ApplicationsPitfalls and TravailsJust becauseClutterCohesivenessReinventing the wheelWhat Mashups Can DoData SourcesPublic DataPublic recordsBackground check recordsBusiness recordsPeople searchesOpen Source ServicesApplication PortletsBuilding a MashupChoose a SubjectSelect Data SourcesDecide on the BackendCode ItMashups and Business
20. For Your Business Communication Needs
Businesses and AjaxReducing CostsEasing InstallationReal-Time CommunicationClient/Server CommunicationConnecting to ChatThe Chat ClientThe Chat ServerFile SharingSending a FileFile NotificationReceiving the FileWhiteboardsThe BoardUsing an existing libraryCollecting mouse movementsDrawing on the boardCommunicationSending the mouse movementsDrawing on other boardsEnhancing the BoardPen colorsStamps and shapesCombining Applications
21. Internet Games Without Plug-ins
Gaming on the WebFirst-Person ShootersStrategy GamesAbstractReal-timeTurn-based, economic, and God-likeAdventure GamesRole-Playing GamesMassive multiplayer online role-playing gamesPuzzle GamesArcade GamesOther GamesInternet RequirementsPlug-insFlashShockwaveJava appletsGame Development with AjaxAnimating a CharacterCreating the Walking LoopMoving the CharacterStatic directionsDynamic directionsBasic CollisionsRectangular Collision DetectionCircular Collision DetectionLinear Collision DetectionUser InputKeyboard InputMouse InputThe Basics of Event HandlingHandling User InputStarts and StopsChanges in DirectionCollisionsReceiving DataPutting It All Together
IV. Wrapping Up
22. Modular Coding
What Is Modular Coding?The Client SideXHTMLComponents of the pageSmaller pieces are betterCSSStyle propertiesMedia typesJavaScriptFunctionalityPage-specific componentsThe Server SideUsing the Server Side for StructureModularizing SQLServer-Side Components
23. Optimizing Ajax Applications
Site Optimization FactorsSizeExecution SpeedHTTPHTTP HeadersHTTP CompressionPacketsOptimal SizesClient-Side OptimizationsXHTML and CSSSize reductionJavaScriptSize reductionCode speed enhancementsServer-Side OptimizationsCompressionSQL OptimizationInline queriesStored proceduresAjax OptimizationCommunicationDataCode Optimization
V. References
A. The XML and XSLT You Need to Know
What Is XML?Anatomy of an XML DocumentElements and AttributesName SyntaxXML NamespacesWell FormedComments and Processing InstructionsEntity ReferencesCharacter ReferencesCharacter EncodingsUnicode encoding schemesOther character encodingsValidityDTDsConnecting DTDs to documentsExtensible Stylesheet Language TransformationThe Progression of XSLThe StylesheetDocument declarationXSLT Elements<xsl:template><xsl:text><xsl:value-of><xsl:for-each><xsl:if><xsl:apply-templates>The standard elementsUsing functions
B. JavaScript Framework, Toolkit, and Library References
Prototype Framework ReferenceAjax with PrototypeAjax Response CallbacksPassing Parameters to the HTTP MethodEvaluating JSONThe Global RespondersDynamic Page UpdatingAutomating Requestsscript.aculo.us Library ReferenceAuto-CompletionAjax.AutocompleterAutocompleter.LocalAutocompleter.BaseInline EditingAjax.InPlaceEditorAjax.InPlaceCollectionEditorEffectsRico Library ReferenceAjax with RicoThe ResponseHandling ResponsesEffectsMooTools Library ReferenceSimple Server RequestsMaking an Ajax RequestForm SubmissionEffectsDojo Toolkit Referencedojo.io.bindHandling ResultsJSON and Dot NotationSending Form DataThe Rest of DojoSarissa Library ReferenceSarissa’s Ajax RequestParsing DataSarissa and XMLMochiKit Library ReferenceMochiKit.AsyncAjax in MochiKitThe Rest of MochiKitjQuery Library ReferenceAjax with jQueryOther jQuery Functionality
C. Web Service API Catalog
D. Ajax Risk References
RequirementsBookmarking IssuesBack and Forward Button ProblemsSecurity RisksSearch EnginesAccessibilityContent Changes
Index
About the Author
Colophon
Copyright

Overview

Is Ajax a new technology, or the same old stuff web developers have been using for years? Both, actually. This book demonstrates not only how tried-and-true web standards make Ajax possible, but how these older technologies allow you to give sites a decidedly modern Web 2.0 feel.

Ajax: The Definitive Guide explains how to use standards like JavaScript, XML, CSS, and XHTML, along with the XMLHttpRequest object, to build browser-based web applications that function like desktop programs. You get a complete background on what goes into today's web sites and applications, and learn to leverage these tools along with Ajax for advanced browser searching, web services, mashups, and more. You discover how to turn a web browser and web site into a true application, and why developing with Ajax is faster, easier and cheaper.

The book also explains:

How to connect server-side backend components to user interfaces in the browser
Loading and manipulating XML documents, and how to replace XML with JSON
Manipulating the Document Object Model (DOM)
Designing Ajax interfaces for usability, functionality, visualization, and accessibility
Site navigation layout, including issues with Ajax and the browser's back button
Adding life to tables & lists, navigation boxes and windows
Animation creation, interactive forms, and data validation
Search, web services and mash-ups
Applying Ajax to business communications, and creating Internet games without plug-ins
The advantages of modular coding, ways to optimize Ajax applications, and more

This book also provides references to XML and XSLT, popular JavaScript Frameworks, Libraries, and Toolkits, and various Web Service APIs. By offering web developers a much broader set of tools and options, Ajax gives developers a new way to create content on the Web, while throwing off the constraints of the past. Ajax: The Definitive Guide describes the contents of this unique toolbox in exhaustive detail, and explains how to get the most out of it.

Become an O’Reilly member and get unlimited access to this title plus top books and audiobooks from O’Reilly and nearly 200 top publishers, thousands of courses curated by job role, 150+ live events each month,
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