What Is Ajax In Web Technology?
Although AJAX is an acronym for “Asynchronous JavaScript And XML”, it’s actually not a programming language, but rather a dynamic technique that harnesses the power of web technology to create seamless, real-time interactions between web pages and servers.
If you’ve ever wondered “What exactly is AJAX in web development?”, then this is for you.
What Is Ajax In Web Technology?
AJAX relies on a potent combination of tools, namely, the XMLHttpRequest object, which is integrated into web browsers, and transmits requests to web servers.
JavaScript and HTML DOM (Document Object Model) collaboratively shape how the received data is displayed or utilized on the web page.
Despite its name, AJAX isn’t solely bound to XML. While it can use XML to send data back and forth, it’s equally adept at handling plain text or JSON (JavaScript Object Notation) text.
So, what is Ajax used for in web pages? AJAX breathes life into web pages by enabling asynchronous updates. In simpler terms, it allows specific sections of a web page to refresh independently, without the need to reload the entire page.
Let’s put AJAX into context with a practical example:
HTML Page
<!DOCTYPE html>
<html>
<body>
<div id=”demo”>
<h2>Let AJAX change this text</h2>
<button type=”button” onclick=”loadDoc()”>Change Content</button>
</div>
</body>
</html>
The HTML page contains a <div> section and a <button>.
The <div> section is used to display information from a server.
The <button> calls a function (if it is clicked).
The function requests data from a web server and displays it:
Function loadDoc()
function loadDoc() {
var xhttp = new XMLHttpRequest();
xhttp.onreadystatechange = function() {
if (this.readyState == 4 && this.status == 200) {
document.getElementById(“demo”).innerHTML = this.responseText;
}
};
xhttp.open(“GET”, “ajax_info.txt”, true);
xhttp.send();
}
Transformative Web Design And Development
In essence, AJAX transforms web pages into dynamic, interactive entities, seamlessly exchanging data behind the scenes, and enhancing the overall user experience in the realm of web development.
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