Future of Web Development & Ajax

[Liyaquat Ali]

Using Ajax in the best way, for example using the permutations pattern and other patterns for efficient Ajax implementation makes knowledge of JavaScript essential. Where as currently javascript mostly plays the role of validation and for adding interactivity.

Does this mean that excellent Javascript skills are a prerequisite for developing Ajax based applications.

Also more importantly would you say that in the future Ajax will be a part of almost all web development? Would every project be using Ajax?

Please comment and clarify my doubts?
[ February 22, 2006: Message edited by: Liyaquat Ali ]

[Christophe Verré]

Does this mean that excellent Javascript skills are a prerequisite for developing Ajax based applications.

Maybe not excellent skills, but basics of Javascript and DynamicHTML is required.

[Liyaquat Ali]

Thanx Satau (So we meet again )

I meant excellent when you want to implement something like content chunking, wouldn't that require a better understanding of Javascript.

If I need to select people for a Ajax based project should I give more importance to there JavaScript skills? or maybe have a core group of 2-3 (depending on the project size) dedicated Javascript programmers for implementing Ajax functionality?

[Mark Ju]

I think the more coding skills the better. There are probably lots of Javascript copy/pasters out there. But because Ajax requires knowledge of server side technologies, I think the best coders would make the best Ajax developers. Now, if you want to know how to find the best coders...well, that's another can of worms.

[Christophe Verré]

or maybe have a core group of 2-3

I'd ask Christian to be part of the group

[Liyaquat Ali]

Hi Chris,

The current breed of JavaScript coders available(just a general observation, no offence intended to any one whatsoever) are mostly good in fact very good with writing validation code, changing html elements, adding interactivity etc.... things they have probably done hundreds of time and which are basically the same in every other application.

Ajax would require good programming skills, and a good understanding of Javascript.

I guess soon we will see an emerging breed of JavaScript programmers who will specialize in Ajax, that would depend on how the industry accepts this new technology and the demand for such talent.

That brings me to my other, yet un-answered question:-

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Also more importantly would you say that in the future Ajax will be a part of almost all web development? Would every project be using Ajax?
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[Christian Gross]

Satou: Thanks, the cheque is in the mail

The other posters said it correctly, you don't need advanced experience with JavaScript. You need average experience. To get to the next level of JavaScript you need to learn how to implement OO with JavaScript.

I learned OO with JavaScript many many moons ago using the book "JavaScript Objects" Wrox Press. I doubt it is for sale anymore, and if it was I would not buy it, unless it was used. The book is still up-to-date as I use it regularly, but I would cringe at having to pay full price for a tech book that is eight years old. Though I think Eric wrote something regarding Javascript? I think a valid question for Eric would be "Eric how much OO practices does your book cover and in relation to Java Script Objects is it more or less?". Once you learn OO with JavaScript then writing Ajax code becomes very simple and straight-forward.

To your un-answered question:
Will Ajax be part of every Web project? Oh yeah! Will your applications only be Ajax? Not a chance! In another thread where I talked about multiple device support Ajax is an arrow in your quiver. What I do think is that we will become used to developing UI's in different forms. Finally we will learn how to create UI's for disabled people, people that speak other languages, and devices that are large and small. For example, one topic that has not been discussed is; What about HDTV? Are your web pages HDTV ready? It's coming!

[Liyaquat Ali]

Thanx Chris,

Well you seem to be pretty positive bout the future of Ajax, and you are of the opinion that Ajax will be part of every web based project. Not that I doubt it, I just wanted a second(or third) opinion. Even if Ajax is not part of every web project in the future and if it just a part of lets say 50% of web based projects it still will cause a major change in web project architecture. Guess the patterns you discussed in the book(Christian Gross: Ajax Patterns) will become more and more important and widely used and as someone on this forum suggested might even get more refined n become kind of a framework...

Well guyz thanx a million for the feedback.