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Ajax (Asynchronous JavaScript and XML) isn’t a technology. It is really several technologies, each flourishing in it’s own right, coming together in powerful new ways.

How does Ajax Work?
With Ajax, Web application finally starts feeling like desktop application to users. That is because Ajax enables your web applications to work behind the scenes, getting data as they need it, and displaying that data as you want. And as more and more people get fast internet connections, working behind the scenes to access data is going to become all the rage, soon, it will be impossible to distinguish dedicated desktop software from software that is actually on the Internet, far from the user’s machine.

Ajax incorporates:

1. Standards-based presentation
   XHTML and CSS
2. Dynamic display and interaction using the Document Object Model
3. Data interchange and manipulation using XML and XSLT.
4. Asynchronous data retrieval using XMLHttpRequest
5. and JavaScript binding together

The key elements of Ajax

Ajax is not a single technology. Rather, it is a collection of four technoligs that complement one another.

One of the biggest challenges in Ajax based applications is to properly implement the browsing history. This form of problem has been in existence since Ajax was first presented. Even with the development of Ajax, its tools and frameworks have been significant, the problem with browsing history still exists.

The back and forward buttons in browsers seemed non-existent when the browser access an Ajax based application. Since there is no direct HTML that will provide the browser with the needed information to enable browsing history, the back and forward buttons might not be used. Ajax will not be able to naturally provide this information since the information is not part of the programming language.

But because of the development of Ajax and support for the programming language, certain tools and functions have been developed. While there are thousands of functions that have been developed to assist this feature for Ajax based application, there are only a few functions that should be able to improve the Ajax based application.

The Getcontent Function
The best solution for this problem in Ajax is to use a simple function called "getcontent". This type of function will be able to do two things. The first function is to retrieve content. The information could be from various sources - the information could be external (another website) or another part of the website. This includes the information from the previous webpage. By using this function, developers will be able to mark the previous webpage and automatically link them in previous functions.

But there is the reason why this function has not been popular for a while. Getcontent will require the developer to use innerHTML. This is a little bit challenging a few years ago since it will require bandwidth as well as a powerful local gadget.

CheckHash Function
Another function developer can use to improve bookmarking is to use CheckHash. This is a very small but very powerful addition to the Ajax based application. CheckHash is basically a function that tries to check the data and mark it for future use.

The beauty of this function is that it reinforces the getcontent function. The previous page of the online application will be marked with the help of getcontent. But with CheckHash, developers will be able to verify if the actual data is still available. This function will check the cached data in the browser. Along with getcontent, checkhash will get the browser and hasten the reload of the previous webpage.

While these two functions will most likely improve the history functions in the online application, it's still important to test them in the server. This is very important for two reasons: first is browser compatibility. While the functions should be able to work in most browsers, checking the function in the server will ensure browser compatibility. The second reason is to ensure stability of the application. By placing the functions in the server, the application will be able to use the functions immediately instead of relying in the client side.

The development of an Ajax based application is always driven by the need to ease data processing. As an online application, it should have the ability to emulate or at least come close to basic functions found in desktops. This will give users a chance to do their data processing online without requiring any downloads or client for an application.

Everything could be done through the browsers and with a decent internet connection. Some even claim that Ajax and JavaScript based application could run seamlessly through dial-up connection but it will take a long time to load. But nevertheless, users will have a good experience when using Ajax based application.

User Experience is King with a Cost
You may have already noticed but everything noted there is all about efficiency and users experience. In the development of an application, developers usually think about the user’s experience when they encounter the application for the first time. This thinking is actually acceptable since after all, the only way the application will prove is usability is through its users.

But focusing on user’s experience might shadow an important factor that could help developers move further. Users experience could be a good thing but letting them enjoy an application without proving any improvement on the skills of the developer will not help in the developer’s skills improvement.

Display of Expertise
While developers should focus on users, it’s also important to slowly improve their expertise in Ajax and JavaScript based application. The current development practices are already impressive but ask any developer and they can assure you that they can still squeeze the programming language even further.

But showing what JavaScript could do does not necessarily mean improvement of user experience. Because there is just a small window that allows improvement, the people who are only able to provide additional functions are those who are already leaders in the field.

The Boom and Bane of Frameworks
The best example of user’s experience overtaking the need of further development is in the frameworks. Developers who use frameworks can easily churn out JavaScript and Ajax based applications even though they have little to no experience and knowledge of JavaScript and Ajax. But the end result of the application could still be impressive. When users see a highly interactive application, it doesn’t really matter if the application was used with frameworks. In fact, it doesn’t even matter if JavaScript was used.

Ultimately, Need Drives Everything
This might look like a bleak reality for JavaScript developers but it’s not the end of improvement yet. There are still users and developers who ask for more and push for further development. There is always something that needs to be filled by JavaScript and through patience and carefully studying, that need could be filled.

In fact, the clamor for brand new things is exponentially increasing. From simple experience of the web, users are now asking more from their browsers. It’s up to the developers on how they can answer that challenge to improve JavaScript and Ajax further along with user experience.