• Table of Contents

  Page VI

• Intro

  Page XIX

• Chapter 1. Using Ajax: Web Apps for a New Generation

  Page 1

• Chapter 2. Designing Ajax Applications: Thinking Ajaxian

  Page 43

• Chapter 3. Javascript Events: Reacting to your users

  Page 93

• Chapter 4. Multiple Event Handlers: Two’s Company

  Page 139

• Chapter 5. Asynchronous Applications: It’s Like Renewing Your Driver’s License

  Page 173

• Chapter 6. The Document Object Model: Web Page Forestry

  Page 229

• Chapter 7. Manipulating the DOM: My Wish is Your Command

  Page 283

• Chapter 8. Frameworks and Toolkits: Trust No One

  Page 329

• Chapter 9. XML Requests and Responses: More Than Words Can Say

  Page 343

• Chapter 10. JSON: SON of JavaScript

  Page 379

• Chapter 11. Forms and Validation: Say What You Meant to Say

  Page 407

• Chapter 12. Post Requests: Paranoia: It’s Your Friend

  Page 445

• Appendix i: Top Five Topics We Didn’t Cover

  Page 471

• Appendix ii: Utility Functions

  Page 483

• Index

  Page 487

Ajax is no longer an experimental approach to website development, but the key to building browser-based applications that form the cornerstone of Web 2.0. Head First Ajax gives you an up-to-date perspective that lets you see exactly what you can do -- and has been done -- with Ajax. With it, you get a highly practical, in-depth, and mature view of what is now a mature development approach.

Using the unique and highly effective visual format that has turned Head First titles into runaway bestsellers, this book offers a big picture overview to introduce Ajax, and then explores the use of individual Ajax components -- including the JavaScript event model, DOM, XML, JSON, and more -- as it progresses. You'll find plenty of sample applications that illustrate the concepts, along with exercises, quizzes, and other interactive features to help you retain what you've learned.

Head First Ajax covers:

• The JavaScript event model

• Making Ajax requests with XMLHTTPREQUEST objects

• The asynchronous application model

• The Document Object Model (DOM)

• Manipulating the DOM in JavaScript

• Controlling the browser with the Browser Object Model

• XHTML Forms

• POST Requests

• XML Syntax and the XML DOM tree

• XML Requests & Responses

• JSON -- an alternative to XML

• Ajax architecture & patterns

• The Prototype Library

The book also discusses the server-side implications of building Ajax applications, and uses a "black box" approach to server-side components.

Head First Ajax is the ideal guide for experienced web developers comfortable with scripting -- particularly those who have completed the exercises in Head First JavaScript -- and for experienced programmers in Java, PHP, and C# who want to learn client-side programming.