AJAX is an acronym for Asynchronous JavaScript and XML.

Ajax is used to create better, faster and more interactive web applications. AJAX consists of:

• standards-based presentation using XHTML and CSS;
• dynamic display and interaction using the Document Object Model;
• data interchange and manipulation using XML and XSLT;
• asynchronous data retrieval using XMLHttpRequest;
• and JavaScript binding everything together.

AJAX achieves real time data transfer between a web browser and a web server using java script. Ajax does not require reloading a page every time, which makes web pages more responsive. Ajax is an outstanding technique to transform clunky Web interfaces into interactive Ajax applications.

How AJAX works?

AJAX engine written in JAVASCRIPT is very robust. When using AJAX, it does not require loading a page entirely. First time when user sends a web request, HTML, CSS and some JavaScript files are also downloaded: the AJAX engine. After that for each request only small amount of data is transferred between client and web server. JavaScript calls AJAX engine which sends request to server and retrieves server's response. Then AJAX displays data on the webpage which does not require reloading a page. Thus AJAX does both tasks, rendering the interface and communicating with server, simultaneously. So user does not experience any interruptions. The XMLHttpRequest object was implemented as an ActiveX object in Internet Explorer, and has later become a native JavaScript object in most modern browsers (FireFox, Safari).

Benefits of AJAX

• The open standards used in AJAX are well defined, and supported by all major browsers.
• AJAX applications are browser and platform independent. (Cross-Platform, Cross-Browser technology)
• AJAX reduces the response time drastically.
• Because Ajax applications are built using nothing more than current web standards, they are relatively easy to create.
• Ajax is a solid alternative for new interface development.

Today applications such as Gmail, Google Suggest, and Google Maps are using AJAX technology.

We are using AJAX for php and .Net applications like Search Engine and Shopping cart. Also we developed AJAX based domain estimator web application for one our clients. We like to use AJAX for all our future projects.