Head Rush Ajax

by Brett McLaughlin

Sick of creating web sites that reload every time a user moves the mouse? Tired of servers that wait around to respond to users' requests for movie tickets? It sounds like you need a little (or maybe a lot of) Ajax in your life. Asynchronous programming lets you turn your own web sites into smooth, slick, responsive applications that make your users feel like they're back on the information superhighway, not stuck on a dial-up backroad. But who wants to take on next-generation web programming with the last generation's instruction book? You need a learning experience that's as compelling and cutting-edge as the sites you want to design. That's where we come in. With Head Rush Ajax , in no time you'll be writing JavaScript code that fires off asynchronous requests to web servers...and having fun doing it. By the time you've taken your dynamic HTML, XML, JSON,and DOM skills up a few notches, you'll have solved tons of puzzles, figured out how well snowboards sell in Vail, and even watched a boxing match. Sound interesting? Then what are you waiting for? Pick up Head Rush Ajax and learn Ajax and asynchronous programming the right way--the way that sticks. If you've ever read a Head First book, you know what to expect: a visually rich format designed for the way your brain works. Head Rush ramps up the intensity with an even faster look and feel. Have your first working app before you finish Chapter 1, meet up with the nefarious PROJECT: CHAOS stealth team, and even settle the question of the Top 5 Blues CDs of all time. Leave boring, clunky web sites behind with 8-tracks and hot pants--and get going with next-generation web programming. "If you thought Ajax was rocket science, this book is for you. Head Rush Ajax puts dynamic, compelling experiences within reach for every web developer."-- Jesse James Garrett, Adaptive Path "A 'technology-meets-reality' book for web pioneers on the cutting edge."-- Valentin Crettaz, CTO, Condris Technologies

Genres: Programming, Technology, Web, Technical, Reference, Nonfiction

413 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2006

Reviews

[Bill Brinkley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed the style of this book. I recommend it to anyone wanting to understand AJAX.

[Neville Ridley-smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

So, yeah, this book was written in 2006, and it's been sitting on my bookshelf waiting to be read for 9 years, so I was thinking it may be just a teensy bit outdated. The thing is it's really not.

Everything in this book is worth knowing. Yes, you can use modern frameworks to insulate you from all the lower level details but it's still worth understanding what those frameworks are doing under the covers to issue ajax requests and manipulate the DOM. That way, when you inevitably come across some tricky problem, you'll have the knowledge to either debug or work around a framework limitation.

And of course, it's all done in great Head First style.

[Steve Whiting · Rating 1 out of 5]

I read this a couple of years ago, to get an introduction to Ajax which was the Current Big Thing in web applications (possibly The Previous Big Thing, by then).

The book does introduce the concepts clearly, but so slowly that any experienced developer or architect is likely to be extremely frustrated, and in such an annoying and juvenile manner (their USP delivery style which is supposed to enhance understanding and memory of the material) that reading the book was painful.

On the basis of this one, I would strongly suggest browsing a "head rush" book before buying, to make sure you were comfortable with the style

[Allison · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the plain speak introduction to the concept. Way better then the reading hundreds of dry pages form some other book.

[Caio Iglesias · Rating 2 out of 5]

I liked the book, but learning the prototype framework, which is quite easy, took the shine away from this book.