JBoss® Seam: Simplicity and Power Beyond Java™ EE

17. Direct JavaScript Integration

So far, we have discussed two approaches for supporting AJAX in Seam applications. Both require zero JavaScript or XML communication code—but they also have some drawbacks.

The componentized AJAX UI approach (see Chapter 15, Custom and AJAX UI Components) is easy, but you are limited to what the vendor offers. You face quite a steep learning curve if you want to implement an AJAX-enabled JSF component to render your own custom visual effects or backend logic. The Ajax4jsf approach (see Chapter 16, Enabling AJAX for Existing Components) works well in the JSF context, but it is difficult to implement components with visual effects (e.g., drag-and-drops, fades, pop-ups) beyond the standard HTML widgets already ...