Ajax: The Definitive Guide

Chapter 22. Modular Coding

Although we’ve covered almost everything there is to cover regarding Ajax, there are still some helpful things to remember when programming your Ajax applications to simplify the process. In this chapter, I will discuss practices and techniques that can eliminate frustration when you are modifying and maintaining a web project, and can make programming faster and easier by reducing the amount of code you need to write.

If you do not feel that you need to know this material, or if you already do know it, great! You can skip ahead to Chapter 23. If not, read on to find ways to give yourself some breaks with your next Ajax application.

What Is Modular Coding?

Modular coding is just a fancy way to say “breaking the code base into smaller parts.” In terms of an Ajax application, by definition some of the application is broken into parts—namely, client code and server code. You can then break these two components into smaller and more manageable pieces. And the whole point of this?

• Modular pieces of code are easier to maintain over time.

• Modular code can be programmed more effectively in a group environment.

• Modular code can sometimes be reused in other applications.

Sometimes in a rapid development environment, programmers can forget good programming techniques, and instead will focus on getting it done and getting it done fast. But what happens as the applications grow? Or as programmers move on to different positions or leave the company altogether, or maintenance ...