What is AJAX in Asp.net ?

Hi,

I am new in the web development,
I want some information regarding to Ajax in Asp.net.

Can anybody please help me........

AJAX, is a new looking angle for web applications. Abbr. Asynchronous JavaScript and XML (AJAX).

By using AJAX, connecting to web server without refreshes is possible. Think a web form, there is a textfield for an e-mail address. And a button for submitting the form. At classic web applications when you click on button browser redirects you to another URL address and there necessaried controls are being made and saved to database, and for last you see the result message. In fact that kind of applications are never useful for website owners; because new control and saving page needs some of server resources. And it means an addition to hosting outcome. But AJAX technique is completely wiping up the new page creating process. Just one data connection happens between browser and web server. Also that data amount is an extremely little value. I guess there is no need to say AJAX applications are both good for website owners and Internet users. Additionally web sites made by using AJAX are gorgeous looking and simple to use applications.

Ajax (sometimes called Asynchronous JavaScript and XML) is a way of programming for the Web that gets rid of the hourglass. Data, content, and design are merged together into a seamless whole. When your customer clicks on something on an Ajax driven application, there is very little lag time. The page simply displays what they're asking for. If you don't believe me, try out Google Maps for a few seconds. Scroll around and watch as the map updates almost before your eyes. There is very little lag and you don't have to wait for pages to refresh or reload.

Ajax is a way of developing Web applications that combines:

• XHTML and CSS standards based presentation
  
  
• Interaction with the page through the DOM
  
  
• Data interchange with XML and XSLT
  
  
• Asynchronous data retrieval with XMLHttpRequest
  
  
• JavaScript to tie it all together

Ajax (Asynchronous JavaScript and XML) is a method of building interactive applications for the Web that process user requests immediately. Ajax combines several programming tools including JavaScript, dynamic HTML (DHTML), Extensible Markup Language (XML), cascading style sheets (CSS), the Document Object Model (DOM), and the Microsoft object, XMLHttpRequest. Ajax allows content on Web pages to update immediately when a user performs an action, unlike an HTTP request, during which users must wait for a whole new page to load. For example, a weather forecasting site could display local conditions on one side of the page without delay after a user types in a zip code.

Google Maps is one well-known application that uses Ajax. The interface allows the user to change views and manipulate the map in real time. Ajax applications do not require installation of a plug-in, but work directly with a Web browser. Because of the technique's reliance on XMLHttpRequest, early applications worked only with Microsoft's Internet Explorer browser, but most other browsers now support Ajax.

Ajax is comprised of the following technologies :

• HTML + CSS for presenting information
  
  
• JavaScript for dynamically interacting with the information presented
  
  
• XML, XSLT and the puzzlingly-named XMLHttpRequest object to manipulate data asynchronously with the Web server

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Characteristics of Ajax applications include:

• Continuous Feel
• Real-Time Updates
• Graphical Interaction
• Language Neutrality
• Proprietary
• Browser Specific