Google Maps is one well-known application that uses Ajax. The interface allows the user to change views and manipulate the map in real time. Ajax applications do not require installation of a plug-in, but work directly with a Web browser. Because of the technique's reliance on XMLHttpRequest, early applications worked only with Microsoft's Internet Explorer browser, but most other browsers now support Ajax.

Applications created with Ajax use an engine that acts as an intermediary between a user's browser and the server from which it is requesting information. Instead of loading a traditional Web page, the user's browser loads the Ajax engine, which displays the page the user sees. The engine continues to run in the background, using JavaScript to communicate with the Web browser. User input or clicking on the page sends a JavaScript call to the Ajax engine, which can respond instantly in many cases. If the engine needs additional data, it requests it from the server, usually using XML, while it is simultaneously updating the page.

Ajax is not a proprietary technology or a packaged product. Web developers have been using JavaScript and XML in combination for several years. Jesse James Garrett of the consultancy firm Adaptive Path is credited with coining the name "Ajax" as a shorthand way to refer to the specific technologies involved in a current approach.

Resources from around the Web

Ajax (programming) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Ajax (also known as AJAX), shorthand for "Asynchronous JavaScript and XML", is a development technique for creating interactive web applications.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ajax_(programming)

AJAX : The Official Microsoft ASP.NET AJAX Site
The www.asp.net site is a portal site for the ASP.NET development community. From here you can download ASP.NET, download Web Matrix - a free web ...
ajax.asp.net/

AJAX Tutorial
AJAX is a type of programming made popular in 2005 by Google (with Google Suggest). AJAX is not a new programming language, but a new way to use existing ...
www.w3schools.com/ajax/default.asp

AJAX - MDC
A comprehensive guide on getting started with AJAX including articles, tutorials and links to other useful websites.
developer.mozilla.org/en/docs/AJAX

Ajaxian
Google has announced some big news for Ajax developers at Google Developer Day. The announcement is Google Gears, an open source runtime to allow you to ...
ajaxian.com/

AJAX News
An informational site providing Asynchronous JavaScript and XML development information including code libraries, sites using ajax, and books on ajax.
ajaxmatters.com/ -

Getting started with AJAX

To explore how the AJAX is used in the enterprise, here are some additional resources:

Ajax Learning Guide: Find tons of helpful links in our Ajax Learning Guide.

Five common Ajax security challenges and how to address them: Read this report from a speech by technical evangelist Tony Lombardo on security problems and best practices in Ajax.

Do you Speak Greek?: Test your knowledge in this quiz from WhatIs.com.

Read more about it:
>>	There's much more information in our 'Ajax Learning Guide.'
>>	Test your knowledge in this quiz from WhatIs.com, Ajax Aplenty: Do you speak Geek?'