AJAX - Picking Up Speed
As the “second generation” of Internet-based technology, Web 2.0 websites and applications closely resemble desktop software in their richness, responsiveness and connectedness. Add AJAX technology to the mix and Mercury New Media helps websites respond without delay, without the wait.
AJAX increases the responsiveness and interactivity of web pages by exchanging small amounts of data with the server "behind the scenes." Entire web pages don’t have to be reloaded each time data has to be fetched from the server. That makes web page interactivity, speed, functionality and usability much faster.
Synchronous vs. Asynchronous
In standard websites, the interaction between the customer and the server is synchronous - one action has to occur after the other. If a user clicks a link, the request is sent to the server, which then sends a new web page, which must be rendered by the user’s browser.
With AJAX, these typical site interactions are handled asynchronously without the composition of a new web page for each user request. The current user page is updated with new content making display changes for the user.
Mercury New Media also uses AJAX for web-based applications to provide paging grids with clickable modal windows, quicker response time and real-time support lookup.
Sample AJAX Technology for Yourself
Why not try your hand at AJAX? At right is a Google Maps display of Mercury New Media’s Tampa office. Simply slide the map around, and it updates as you move with very little lag time and without the need for new pages. You can also flip between a street map view and satellite view on the fly, and even type in your address and get driving directions almost instantly without a page refresh and zooming in and out.
