Open Sources Resources

• Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: For Dummies (March 13, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0471785970
• ISBN-13: 978-0471785972

Editorial Reviews
Review
“…done a great job of explaining the various technologies behind Ajax….” (Practical Web Design, June 2006)

“…surprisingly good book…” (Computer Shoppers, June 2006)

Book Description
Ajax is short for “Asynchronous JavaScript+CSS+DOM+XMLHttpRequest.”

Even if you weren’t intimidated before, that tidbit is probably enough to make you reach for the Excedrin. Just reach for Ajax For Dummies instead. With screen shots, actual code and explanations, and live Web sites where you can see Ajax applications doing their thing, it will have you using Ajax to create Web applications that look an act like desktop applications in no time. With Ajax, you can speed up and clean up your Web applications. Shoppers at your online store can fill their carts without waiting for multiple page refreshes. Searchers on your sites can get instant results on the same page.

This guide takes you on a tour of how Ajax is used today, complete with examples of Ajax applications in action, such as an Ajax-enabled Yahoo! search or an Ajax-based chat application. Then it gives you basics on using JavaScript. After that you dive in and get info on:

• Writing some Ajax, interactive mouseovers using Ajax, passing data to the server with GET or POST, and more
• Connecting to Google for a live search
• Using free Ajax frameworks so you don’t have to start from scratch, including Ajax Gold (written specifically for this book), AJAXLib, and grabbing XML with libXmlRequest
• All kinds of Ajax techniques, such as using Ajax for drag-and-drop operations, pop-up menus, downloading images behind the scenes, and more
• Using SACK (simple AJAX code kit), decoding XML with Sarissa, and creating visual effects with Rico
• Handling XML int Ajax Applications
• Working with cascading style sheets (CCS) in Ajax, including setting up the styles, displaying a menu, styling text, handling colors and backgrounds, and more
• Working with Ajax and PHP

Complete with a companion Web site, free Ajax frameworks, and sample code you can use, Ajax for Dummies is your friendly guide to creating truly user-friendly Web sites!

Note: CD-ROM/DVD and other supplementary materials are not included as part of eBook file.

I admit to being a fan of Steve Holzner. The man is an excellent technical writer with a knack for communicating the most complex concepts in simple, concise language.

I had (and still have) no particular interest in Ajax, but because I try to stay conversant with all platforms, I felt that if anyone could explain Ajax quickly, it would be Holzner.

I am not disappointed.

I don’t think this book, despite its being a “dummies” title, will do a neophyte much good. If you aren’t at least minimally familiar with HTML, Javascript, XML, PHP, CGIt CSS and some other technologies, you’ll get lost really fast.

On the other hand, for people who already possess at least some basic knowledge of these technologies, Holzner’s book will quickl provide the conceptual framework you need for understanding Ajax.

Jerry