JavaScript and Ajax Tips & Tutorials - 2009

JavaScript is an easy-to-use programming language that is common on Web pages. It can enhance the dynamics and interactive features of your site with small amounts of code.

Ajax (Asynchronous JavaScript and XML), is a group of inter-related Web development techniques (including JavaScript, PHP, among others) used for creating interactive Web applications.

Working with the Ajax Control Toolkit

The Ajax Control Toolkit is a community project from Microsoft that contains a number of controls to design and implement Ajax-enabled controls seamlessly. In this article, Joydip Kanjilal shows you how to start working with the Ajax Control Toolkit and explores two sample extender controls.

Mixing Scripting Languages

Today's article will highlight some of the ramifications of mixing scripting languages in your web pages. These discussions will be applicable to cross-browser scripting and HTAs as well.

Data Persistence in Jaxer

In this last article in a three-part series on Aptana Jaxer's server-side JavaScript Application Framework, we'll be looking at data persistence in Jaxer as we create a session variable for our blog application and move to storing the posts in a proper database.

Create a File-based Blog using Jaxer

In the "Your First Server-side JavaScript Application" article, we learned how to write server-side javascript for the Jaxer plugin by building a simple file-based blog in Aptana Studio. Today, we'll extend the project to include the ability to add posts and save them to a file on the server.

Your First Server-side JavaScript Application

Aptana Jaxer is a JavaScript server plug-in that enables database/file system access, network communications, and user sessions. Today, we will be using the Aptana Studio IDE to build a simple file-based blog for Jaxer.

Modal Windows on the Web

Web design has come a long way from just creating HTML documents. It is essentially the art of presenting information in a readable, useable and functional manner. Numerous interface elements can be used to achieve the goal, including tabbed layouts, paginated view and modal windows. This article examines the different uses of modal windows.

JavaScript 2.0: A Sneak Preview

The JavaScript 2.0 / EMCAScript 4.0 proposal isn't due to be finalized until the end of the fall of 2009, but it's already garnering lots of strong reactions - both good and bad. Today, we'll be taking a look at some of the proposed specifications and you can decide for yourself whether they constitute improvements in the language or merely unnecessary standardization.

Create Web applications with your own tailor made UI

Learn how to create a Visual WebGui application and completely customize the look and feel of it using the Visual WebGui Control & Theme Designers.

Introduction to Server-side JavaScript

Although rich web sites and applications have become the norm in recent years, they can still be difficult to develop, maintain, and expand. Many of the challenges stem from the schism between client and server components. The Jaxer server, developed by Aptana, is an open source Ajax web server for building rich web pages and applications in JavaScript. Writing code for Jaxer is the focus of this article.

The Lightest Lightbox

The last installment of this series discusses the lightest implementation of Lightbox. While it is stripped of all the bells and whistles, you are free to add them if you like. It requires no JavaScript framework, only a few lines of JavaScript to open and close the Lightbox.

Understanding JavaScript Closures

Closures are the answer to the problem of how to bind variables to functions that are called at a later time. Today's article will explain what closures are, outline some common dilemmas, and present ways that closures can be utilized to overcome them.

Testing your DTD XML Schema Validation

A key ingredient of successful testing is the separation of the component that you are testing from the rest of the process or application. This article explains how to perform your DTD XML schema testing outside of the application that runs it.

Thickbox 3.1

Continuing our series on various implementations of Lightbox, this article discusses another library, namely Thickbox, which can be used to display modal dialog boxes.

Debugging JavaScript: Beyond Alerts

Today, JavaScript can be written, debugged, and even tested using frameworks' built-in functionality or by specialized software. In today's article, we'll begin examining some of the latest ways of debugging your JavaScript code.

Greybox, Lightbox Part 2

Greybox offers another use of Lightbox that other implementations can't brag about. Learn how to display a website or web page in a div, using Greybox.

Debugging JavaScript: Handling Runtime Exceptions

The Error object provides a number of properties to help you display more meaningful error messages to the client and more useful debugging information to you, the developer. In this article, we'll go over how to use the Error object to handle runtime exceptions.

Debugging JavaScript: Understanding JavaScript Error Messages

One of the most pervasive criticisms about JavaScript is that it's painfully difficult to debug. The good news is that you don't have to be intimidated or turned off by JavaScript. In this article, we will be taking a look at the types of errors that you are likely to encounter in JavaScript development and how to minimize the chance of them cropping up in your code.

Shedding Some Light on Lightbox

The first in a new series, this article discusses how to display large images on your website, on demand, without increasing load time.

Comet Programming: the Hidden IFrame Technique

In the 'Comet Programming: Using Ajax to Simulate Server Push' article, we learned how to use XMLHttpRequest long polling to refresh page components and keep cached data in synch with the server. Today's technique, sometimes called a 'Forever Frame', relies on a hidden IFrame.

On-Demand JavaScript Explained

As JavaScript Frameworks and user JS libraries become increasingly commonplace, download times can become a real turn off to users. There are times where dynamically loading scripts and other resources can be of great benefit. In this overview of on-demand JavaScipt, we'll go over the basics of how it's done, as well as look at some tools that allow you to take advantage of On-Demand JavaScript right away.

Prototypal Inheritance Explained

Newcomers to JavaScript often misunderstand its object oriented style. This short tutorial explains how JavaScript implements object inheritance and how you can use it to your advantage.

Comet Programming: Using Ajax to Simulate Server Push

Comet is a Web application model that enables Web servers to send data to the client without having to explicitly request it. This article will examine one method of implementing Comet called Ajax Long Polling and demonstrate how it can be used to create event-driven Web apps.

Form Validation using jQuery

There are as many ways to implement form validation as there are opinions of the best way to do it. This article discusses client-side validation using jQuery's validation plugin. That is, we will use JavaScript to validate the fields before submitting the form to the server.

Building a Client-Side Ajax Cache: Caching Algorithms

Relying on the browser's cache to store Ajax data has distinct limitations. A better solution may be to create your own cache management class. In this installment we'll be covering some caching mechanisms, as we build upon our cache management class.

Introducing the ASP.NET Ajax Frameworks

Ajax is a popular technology that is used in many different ways on the World Wide Web. It has become a technology of choice for building fast and responsive user interfaces. This article takes a brief look at the features of some of the more widely used ASP.NET Ajax frameworks.

Building a Client-Side Ajax Cache

As we create dynamic content on the Web, we should consider the issue of whether or not to cache some of our data, just like other page content. In this two part series, we'll build a client-side cache management system using the Prototype JavaScript Framework.

Using Dojo for Client-Side Validation

Client-side form validation is quick and reduces the load on the server. This tutorial explains how to use the Dojo JavaScript library for these types of validation in order to enhance your form processing.

Functional JavaScript

In this article, we explore the Function object and learn about its role in a lesser known style of coding called Functional Programming. We focus on the Functional Programming concept of using Higher Order functions to improve code modularity.

How to Use the 'AddThis' Social Bookmarking Service

Social Bookmarking has become an important way of driving traffic to your site. You can choose from a variety of scripts, but you'll soon run into maintenance issues. There's an easier way, an all-in-one script, by AddThis.

Overview of Popular JavaScript Frameworks - ASP.NET AJAX

In this last installment of the JavaScript frameworks overview series, we'll be highlighting the main features of Microsoft's ASP.NET AJAX Framework, including controls, JavaScript Type extensions, asynchronous communications, and debugging capabilities.

Archived JavaScript and Ajax Tips & Tutorials

• All articles from 2008
• All articles from 2007
• All articles from 2006
• All articles from 2005
• All articles from 2004
• All articles from 2003
• All articles from 2002 & earlier

Specs and Documentation

Core JavaScript Reference: Version 1.5

This book (in HTML format) is a reference manual for the core JavaScript language, version 1.5. Can be used in conjunction with the Core JavaScript Guide, listed below. Written by the developers at Netscape Communications. An excellent resource.

Core JavaScript Guide: Version 1.5

Starting at the beginning, this reference explains everything you need to know about using core JavaScript. This reference assumes you have the following basic background: a general understanding of the Internet and the World Wide Web and a good working knowledge of HTML. Written by the developers at Netscape Communications. An excellent resource.

JScript Documentation

Technical information and tutorials. From Microsoft.

ECMAScript Language Specification

A PDF version of the official specification for ECMAScript, the vendor-neutral standard for what was originally Netscape's JavaScript

JavaScript Book Excerpts

Archived Doc JavaScript Columns

The Doc JavaScript Archive - These JavaScript articles were written by the Doc JavaScript team (Yehuda Shiran and Tomer Shiran) between 1997 and 2002.

Other Tutorials [Off Site]

Beginning JavaScript Tutorials

Tutorials designed so that even beginners can begin using javascripts on a web page.

JavaScript for the Total Non-Programmer

A good introductory tutorial for beginners. This site walks you throught the basics of Javascript.

JavaScript Tutorial for Programmers

A JavaScript tutorial aimed primarily at those with some prior programming experience. Focuses on illustrating the syntax and methodology of JavaScript.

Collections

About.com's JavaScript

Weekly how-tos and resources from About.com.

All About JavaScript

Canned scripts, tips and tricks, and links to JS info around the world. From WebDeveloper.com, another part of the internet.com family of sites.

BrainJar

All about Web development and programming. Rather than simple "cut and paste" listings, you'll find detailed articles on client and server side coding. Supports W3C standards. By Mike Hall.

Danny Goodman's JavaScript Pages

Examples of JavaScript implementation available for downloading in addition to the JavaScript mini-FAQ. Goodman is a noted author and scripter.

Dynamic Drive

Free DHTML sripts and components for your Web site. Frequently updated.

Google's JavaScript Resources

JavaScript references and listings from DMOZ/Google.

JavaScript.com

This WebReference affiliated site is your gateway to all things JavaScript. Featuring javascript tutorials, free java scripts, tools, and links.

javascripts.com

A database with free JavaScripts, discussion groups and news.

JavaScript and CSS DevCenter

O'Reilly Net's JavaScript portal, includes JavaScript news feed.

JavaScript Source

An excellent JavaScript resource with lots of free cut & paste JavaScript examples with source code included.

JavaScript Kit

Tutorials, code, and discussion. Constantly updated for new material and revisions.

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