any good javascript ajax class ??

PHPycho

Hello forums!!
Can anybody refer a good javascript Ajax class (with loading page effects more preferrable(wink)),
which can be used with just creating objects and with minimal amount of code?

Thanks in advance for the help.

NogDog

I have not used it so cannot comment on it, but the one I seem to hear mentioned the most is xajax.

PHPycho

What about this class:
http://www.bytemycode.com/snippets/snippet/329/

cahva

Well I have used Xajax for a long time and its definately the best (and easiest to use) ajax class for PHP.

Kudose

I just learned about mootools and it looks very interesting.

http://mootols.net

cahva

Yes, there is Mootools, Jquery, prototype and YUI among others.. I have used them all with xajax succesfully. Lately I've been using YUI and xajax together. I use xajax for the server (and client side also) and YUI modules for the CSS,Effects, Layout, Calendar, Drag & Drop etc. modules.

Those all libraries have also ajax functions but xajax does it so well(you just create normal PHP functions and call them from the script like any other js function). Normally if you use those other libraries, ajax is done so that you create a php file(s) and you code the functionality based on GET or POST variables.

Kudose

I prefer to learn Ajax, not have the script or PHP do it for me.

But that is just me.

cahva

You mean you want to learn javascript bcos thats what it basicly is 😉 Using xajax does'nt rule out javascript as you probably want to do some javascript for loading progress, effects etc. If you look at Mootools and other libraries, they also have shortcut functions to send ajax calls to server and back so they actually do the Ajax for you. Xajax is no different. In xajax, instead of separate files for the ajax calls you create PHP functions which will be converted to xajax JS-functions at runtime.

So I prefer to use the tools that saves development time and effort, but that is just me 😉

dougal85

Ajax is a specific use of JavaScript. However, its not that hard and I don't think xajax is that great. I've used it numerous times and ended up dropping it because it becomes a pain and it can create messy code.

It's really quite simple to handle Ajax requests yourself with a clientside library only. I use prototype usually, mostly because its the first one I learned. I've also used jQuery, Mootools and YUI...

I also agree with Kudose in the sense that I like to understand whats going on and not have to rely on 3rd party script. Yeah, I use Prototype to make my Ajax request but I've also made my own code to do it too.

cahva

I've used it numerous times and ended up dropping it because it becomes a pain and it can create messy code.

Then you havent used it as it should because that is the main reason why I use it: Code stays tidy and clean 🙂

Im a big xajax fan and some arent. Some like daughters and some like mothers. 🙂

@:
Original question was how to do the ajax stuff with minimal fuss. If you don't want to write much javascript yourself then xajax is the best option(IMHO). Libraries mentioned here are all good and gets the job done aswell. Its a matter of taste really as we can see in this thread, so experiment as much as possible and that way you'll learn what is the best combination for your needs.

dougal85

I've not used it for about 18 months... so it may have changed. When I did all the examples I used were derived from examples in their documentation.

NogDog

This all raises what is a common issue with most programmers, I think: the desire to understand how it all works and make sure it's engineered in the most logical and efficient manner, versus not reinventing the wheel and just getting it done. As with most such issues, there probably is never a "right" answer; there's just the need to find the balance that best addresses the needs (including schedule and budget) of each individual circumstance.

Oh well, that's about all the philosophizing you'll get out of me on a Saturday morning.

Weedpacket

NogDog wrote:
the desire to understand how it all works and make sure it's engineered in the most logical and efficient manner, versus not reinventing the wheel and just getting it done.

Of course, if you're using a library, understanding its operating principles and design philosophy help. If you know why it works the way it works using it can be much more straightforward.

And that goes back to understanding what it is the library is supposed to be doing in the first place. I've seen some horrifying abuses of Ajax committed by people who just used a library without having any idea about the implications (one page used >60 XHRs to set the values of >60 menu labels on page load - which remained static thereafter. Apparently some sort of attempt at i18n. You'd think they'd have noticed something wrong at some point).

rulian

you have no idea how many times my bosses have asked me to ajax static copy or menu's , it's a buzzword linked to $$$, alot of "web 2.0" businesses use ajax and therefore they think that ajax == $. I'm sure it has nothing to do with their actual business plan, manual networking, partnerships, and all these venture capitalists who I believe will cause a bigger burst then the pet.com era

cheers

ednark

Also check out this small library. I've used it for production stuff. It's straight forward and low level enough, that you can still learn how stuff works but have it easy to use.

http://www.ajaxtoolbox.com/request/