Chapter 1. Introducing ASP.NET AJAX
In this chapter:
- An overview of Ajax programming
- The ASP.NET AJAX architecture
- The client-centric development model
- The server-centric development model
- A tour of ASP.NET AJAX
Ajax has revolutionized the way users interact with web pages. Gone are the days of frustrating page refreshes, losing your scroll position on a page, and working in the redraw-refresh paradigm of traditional web applications. In its place is the next generation of web applications: Ajax applications, whose characteristics include smoother page updates; continuous, fluid interaction; and visually appealing, rich interfaces.
The term Ajax, which stands for Asynchronous JavaScript and XML, was coined to describe this new approach to web development. Although most users aren’t familiar with the acronym, they’re certainly familiar with its benefits. Sites like Google Maps, Live.com, and Flickr are just a few examples of recent applications that are leading the way through this new frontier. Each of them offers slightly different services, but all share the same goal: to provide a rich user experience that is personalized, engaging, and supported across all major browsers.