Dynamic Movable questions

[kkiedrowski]

I am just beginging to really delve into web development.
Of course I see how google allows you to customize your presonal page and move the content around on the screen.
My assumption is that this is done with AJAX. Am I correct?
Not knowing much about AJAX the javascript is what would drive the movable content?
I am jsut not sure where to look or what to search for to fin out more information on this subject.
Thanks for any help

 

[jakeyg]

My mate is looking at AJAX for work and reckons this book is good

http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/1590595823/203-8243908-0041549?_encoding=UTF8

hopefully I can nick it off him when he's read it ;-)

 

[TamedTech]

Yep, or a nice alternative to AJAX is Macromedia Flex,

It's more flash based but is great for 3 Tier projects ... i've only just started looking at it but its definatyly somthing to look at for the future.

Rob

 

[damber]

AJAX: Asynchronous Javascript And XML.

It is NOT what makes it possible to move objects around the screen on Googles personalised home page. This is just DHTML: Javascript + DOM + Events.

AJAX is used to talk to the server without refreshing the page, using (surprisingly) Javascript to send XML messages back and forth asynchronously while the user continues to view the same page (it can be done synchronously too if desired). This can then use the information to update the page with new information - e.g. refresh RSS feeds, via the DOM.

In regards to moving the elements around... Javascript can manipulate the DOM interactively, and hence the ability to make objects like DIVs move around based on events (such as mouse movements, clicks etc) - but you don't need to talk to the server or use XML to do this - just javascript, the relevant events and the DOM.

Ajax links:

http://www-128.ibm.com/developerwor...arch_by=Mastering+Ajax&ca=dgr-wikiaMasterAJAX

http://developer.mozilla.org/en/docs/AJAX:Getting_Started

http://www.yourhtmlsource.com/javascript/ajax.html

http://www.w3schools.com/ajax/default.asp

DHTML Links:

http://www.w3schools.com/dhtml/default.asp

http://www.w3schools.com/js/js_obj_htmldom.asp

http://www.w3schools.com/jsref/jsref_events.asp

Read those first.. buying a book on Ajax seems a bit of a waste of money, it is a pretty simple concept in of itself - as long as you understand general DOM, Javascript, XML and client server concepts.

If you don't understand these, first look at the (massive) online knowledge base for these technologies (the internet...

http://www.w3schools.com

is a good basic learner site to start on), if that doesn't quench your thirst then buy a book specifically on these subjects, and you will be much better off IMHO.

A smile is worth a thousand kind words. So smile, it's easy!

 

[kkiedrowski]

GREAT CAESAR'S GHOST!!!
That's a lot of information.
Thanks.
[Does anyone have the matrix implant so i can just download this stuff directly to my brain ]

 

[glenmac]

cool links thanx

Glen

http://lantzvillecomputers.com