[Discuss] Developers use of AJAX Technology

[Marco van Herwaarden]

Please use this thread to discuss the use of AJAX technology and how we can make optimal use of it in integration with vBulletin.

Interesting links to use as resource on this topic are:
- [Tutorial] Developers Introduction To AJAX Technology by Zero Tolerance

For those who want some "sneak previews", the following vB3.0.7 hacks using AJAX have been released:
- AJAX Fast Open/Close Threads (vB 3.5 Replication) by Zero Tolerance
- AJAX: check if username exists on registration in realtime by MrNase
- AJAX: check for banned email on registration and changing mail by MrNase


Interesting links on the web about coding AJAX in General:

Interesting links on the web about AJAX in General:

[Corriewf]

What is the deal with all of these ajax hacks? Is this software integrated into one of the vb versions or can all use this?

[Marco van Herwaarden]

AJAX is not some finished software, it is the combined use of some techniques. It combines the use of JavaSciript with XML and Asynchronous communicition with the server.

[Corriewf]

So when I see AJAX hack(s) its referring to a format of coding vs and addon to software? What is the required version of vbulletin to utilize it?

[Marco van Herwaarden]

There is no requirement of the vB version. It is the capability of your browser that could be limiting it. All major browser support it, but you must have javascript turned on.

AJAX is nothing more then a technique that make some things possible that are very difficult without AJAX. It is up to the coders if and how they will use it.

[Corriewf]

From the end user perspective (me ) what is the benefit of using this vs using templates and php code ect ?

[Zero Tolerance]

The benefit from AJAX technology is it allows functions to be "real-time", this is its prime feature, the ability to send and recieve data to a server without any reloading of the page or iframes. Which is one thing internet applications lacked, and where desktop applications had the upper hand.

But now with ajax technology, you can develop applications where sections if not the whole thing doesn't require any reloading at all, think of it as a stream video link instead of having to download it all before viewing it, you'd prefer to view the stream instead of waiting for the download.

- Zero Tolerance

[Corriewf]

Yeah that does sound very nice. Wonder why the hacks coming out utilizing this code are task which are rarely used, instead of repetitive tasks.

What would be GREAT is a hack that would update the current post on the main index page without having to refresh to see new posts.

[Marco van Herwaarden]

Originally Posted by corriewf

Yeah that does sound very nice. Wonder why the hacks coming out utilizing this code are task which are rarely used, instead of repetitive tasks.

What would be GREAT is a hack that would update the current post on the main index page without having to refresh to see new posts.

Although that would technically be possible, it would probably kill your server.

Even with AJAX, that data must still be requested, retrieved from the MySQL database, passed back to the client, and then all controls would need to be updated.

[Corriewf]

Yeah but if you could set the refresh rate to accommodate the server load it would be perfect.