Laith Zraikat

First, let me declare that I really hate meaningless acronyms, I don’t just dislike them. Now what’s the deal with everyone and this new acronym, suddenly there's something called an "AJAX Specialist"?!This is like saying "HTML & GraphicsSpecialist" instead of "Web Designer". Why not just say "JavaScript Developer" or "Remote Scripting developer" –for those who insist on using fancy words- and give all of those JavaScript developers out there a chance. After all, isn’t the bulk of the work in any so called AJAX application done using JavaScript?

Almost every web designer and developer has had some JavaScript experience, and almost everyone with JavaScript experience has done some design and development for the web. The majority have had good experience with both.

AJAX is an abbreviation for: "Asynchronous JavaScript with XML".

• JavaScript: a very old and great language.
• Asynchronous: simple put means "without refreshing"
• XML: It's actually not a requirement, because you can use plain text if you want and it will work just as good.
  

So we see that the core lies in the word "Asynchronous" –making callbacks to the server without refreshing the page. Asynchronous callbacks are the transport element in a broader concept called "Remote Scripting", which is made possible using JavaScript through the "Microsoft.XMLHTTP" ActiveX Object in IE and the "XMLHttpRequest" object in all other browsers. One interesting fact is that neither Microsoft.XMLHTTP nor XMLHttpRequest is a standard.

After retrieving your data through remote scripting, anything you do next will use methods that manipulate the Document Object Model which has been supported in all browsers for a long time. This data doesn’t even have to be XML formatted, it can be any form of text which suits your needs. XML just happens to make more sense these days.

The really funny part is that a lot of people talk about AJAX as a standard. Let's revise some facts:

1. Neither Microsoft.XMLHTTP nor XMLHttpRequest is a standard for all browsers.
2. Your data can be any form of text, not just XML.
   

So how can a standard be based on things which are not standard themselves?

I think the only good thing that came out of this new acronym is enabling non-techy business people to talk about "Remote Scripting" without having to explain and prove that they know what they're talking about.

I also don't like my janitor to be using the same jargon I use. So to me, AJAX is that very potent dish washing solution or kitchen and bathroom surface cleaner and thats how it stays. for more information about AJAX click here.