splee.blog

This week has been an interesting one. I had the monumental task of building a web app which depended heavily on AJAX to work. If I was being picky I’d say that it actually depended on AJAJ as it used JSON as the data transfer medium rather than XML, but AJAJ doesn’t roll off the tongue as nicely.

The reasons for diving headlong into JavaScript, a language which I have never really used properly, and creating a lot of work for myself in terms of research and referencing are two-fold:

1. To better learn MochiKit, a component of TurboGears, so that my future use of TG is more rapid rather than stymied by a lack of knowledge.
2. To learn JavaScript and methods of using AJAX as a whole as it seems to be the tool to leverage in your web-apps at the moment.

Needless to say, I have accomplished what I set out to do - at least to a certain degree… who can know all there is to know on a subject after all - even if I haven’t finished the web app yet. I’m now happier battling it out with JavaScript rather than foundering in a sea of “WTF?!”.

The app I’m working on is an online booking management system. The client side is nice and simple, with virtually no JavaScript to be seen to allow anyone and their dog to view it in whatever browser they choose. The Admin side of things, however, is a big collection of AJAX using MochiKit, script.aculo.us effects and other tricks to achieve inline editing, one “page” for the entire app, a calendar and action list that refreshes every 30 seconds, instant form validation, and other such delights.

Due to the immense amount of brain frying I’ve done over the week it’s unsurprising that I’m now shattered. The old saying “so much to do, and so little time” is at the very front of my mind at the moment.

For anyone who connects to databases via PHP on a regular basis, use PEAR::DB. It’s absolutely awesome in terms of functionality and ease of use and I guarantee that it will make your day that little bit easier.

PEAR is installed by default by most webhosts. Also, if you want to know how to use it with a real example, check out this article.

No, I don’t mean the football team, nor do I mean the multi-surface-cleaner. What I am, in fact, referring to is the emerging web technology: Asynchronous Javascript and XML.

I’ve heard the term bandied around a couple of times, mainly in the WordPress IRC channel, without really latching on to the power of this type of web application. It looks and sounds like an excellent way of communicating information between server and client without the user having to go to the bother of refreshing the page. A good example of AJAX in use is the new Wordpress Plugin, ‘Wordspew‘, which is a live shoutbox. Note the fact that you don’t have to refresh the page to see the latest messages.

Watch this space, as this technique has got me quite excited with it’s possibilities. Live, cross browser spell checking in text boxes, live ‘users online’ details, live forum info… the list is endless and, in case you hadn’t noticed, ‘live’. ;)

Update:

Shortly after writing this post I recieved an email about backpack and duly signed up as I’d asked for information when the product was launched, even though I can’t remember doing so. If you want to see an example of a fully ‘Ajaxed’ interface you’ll find no better place than the backpack site.