Asynchronous Javascript and XML HTTP Requests (AJAX)

So what’s this AJAX then?

Asynchronous Javascript and XML HTTP Requests or AJAX was once a simple mechanism to retrieve XML data without need to refresh the page. But then Adaptive Path a new media company went and published this article and now the world is well different.

Today AJAX is not just Javascript related nor a single piece of code rather a series of technologies based around the XML HTTP Request.

So what’s a HTTP Request well its an API that connects to the server using a second open http request this means that information can be updated via this connection and not the pages original connection, trough this connection an XML document can be called and manipulated. While Adpative Path may have been credited with the Term AJAX its Google that’s been its champion with its launch of services such as Gmail, Google maps, Google calenders etc.

Here at Venture Skills we use AJAX in web development for a variety of purposes but the one we have blogged about is yet another Google product; their AJAX search API. This API allows developers to pull Google search results into their own sites and present them as part of the site rather then a separate entity. We also use a second Google product Google Coop to provide dedicated results from our own Custom Search Engine to guarantee relevancy.

To help you get started check out these articles about using AJAX and Google Custom Search Engine

• Custom Search Basic example
• Custom Search Advanced example

venture-skills.co.uk