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AJAX or JQuery?

Posted: Tue May 04, 2010 1:45 pm
by rsmarsha
I am mostly a backend developer (php/mysql/server stuff) although I also know the usual (HTML,XML,CSS).

I don't really know much javascript to be honest, I've just managed to find bits I need for certain tasks in the past.

However I am want to learn more of the flashy front end stuff. ;) I've read a bit about AJAX and JQuery, but am unsure if I should learn javascript from scratch or look straight into Jquery to use with AJAX.

Where should I start and what should I focus on?

Re: AJAX or JQuery?

Posted: Tue May 04, 2010 1:52 pm
by kaszu
Knowing how jQuery or other libraries work will help a lot. I suggest to learn how to do it yourself before using them, unless you do project for a client.

Re: AJAX or JQuery?

Posted: Tue May 04, 2010 3:30 pm
by califdon
Be sure you understand that AJAX and JQuery are fundamentally different kinds of tools, although they can be used together. JQuery is an extensive library of classes and functions that can do all sorts of things on your web page. AJAX is just a technique that uses a single built-in Javascript object called XMLHttpRequest to call a server-side script to provide data which the calling Javascript function can use, without reloading the current page in the browser.

Re: AJAX or JQuery?

Posted: Tue May 04, 2010 4:03 pm
by rsmarsha
Thanks. :)

Looks like I need to learn Javascript before looking at AJAX or jQuery.

In order of importance would you agree with the following?

Javascript
AJAX
jQuery

As if jQuery is a library once I have knowledge of javascript I'd imagine I can just make use of the classes?

Any pointers on books or tutorials on javascript that are worth reading?

Re: AJAX or JQuery?

Posted: Tue May 04, 2010 4:34 pm
by califdon
Yes, certainly Javascript first. If it's your first introduction, there's a lot to learn! After that, priority would be determined by what you're likely to be doing. There are many Javascript frameworks, take a look at this comparison: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comparison ... frameworks. Surely you won't attempt to learn all of them. I've written Javascript for many years and have never learned any of them! But that's not a recommendation, it's only to say that you can do a lot of web development without using any frameworks. If you're working with a group of developers, you'll want to use what they use. On the other hand, AJAX is a unique method of using just a single built-in Javascript object, along with a server-side script (PHP, Perl, Python, VBS, it doesn't matter) to make your web page dynamic without the annoying page refresh that you often see.

You're correct, jQuery just provides classes and functions that can be used in Javascript. It is perhaps the most popular of the JS frameworks and is highly recommended by a lot of developers.

Re: AJAX or JQuery?

Posted: Wed May 05, 2010 2:54 am
by rsmarsha
Thanks for the info.

I'll start putting some time into learning javascript and then have a look at AJAX.

Re: AJAX or JQuery?

Posted: Thu Jun 03, 2010 8:53 am
by smithdwsn
AJAX is the best option compare to Jquery. Because it needs very less coding while Jquery needs more. It is very simple and easy to use. It contains nice features and functionalities. So it is very nice option.

Re: AJAX or JQuery?

Posted: Thu Jun 03, 2010 11:27 am
by califdon
smithdwsn wrote:AJAX is the best option compare to Jquery. Because it needs very less coding while Jquery needs more. It is very simple and easy to use. It contains nice features and functionalities. So it is very nice option.
I don't mean to be argumentative, but AJAX and JQuery are not options. It's not a matter of which one to use. They do entirely different things. You use the one that will do the job you are trying to do.