JavaScript and Ajax Tips & Tutorials - Archive: 2005

JavaScript is an easy-to-use programming language that is common on Web pages. It can enhance the dynamics and interactive features of your site with small amounts of code.

Ajax (Asynchronous JavaScript and XML), is a group of inter-related Web development techniques (including JavaScript, PHP, among others) used for creating interactive Web applications.

JavaScript STL (Standard Template Library), Part 4: In previous articles you learned about a programming library based on the C++ Standard Template Library. This week we look at four new collections from the stdext namespace and you'll see how easy it is to interchange the collections within a simple JavaScript unit test. By Guyon Roche. 1216
The JavaScript Diaries: Part 11: In this installment we take a look at JavaScript arrays, which can be very useful in creating different types of scripts. This study will span several installments due to its complexity. By Lee Underwood. 1125
Developing Web Applications with Ajax, Pt. 3: This week we'll learn how to use Ajax in conjunction with server-side processing and how these technologies can produce powerful web applications. For this article I use PHP, but Ajax is compatible with any server-side language. By Jonathan Fenocchi. 1115
Book Excerpt: Ajax in Action - Chapter 6: Asynchronous JavaScript and XML, known as "Ajax," is a new way of thinking that can result in a flowing and intuitive interaction with the user. Ajax in Action explains how to distribute the application between the client and the server while retaining the integrity of the system. By Manning Publications. October 31, 2005
JavaScript Sudoku Puzzle Solver: Sudoku, for the uninitiated, is a puzzle craze that has recently swept the globe, particularly in commuter circles. While I enjoy puzzles, I prefer to have the computer work it out for me. In this article I've created a small JavaScript application that allows users to enter the starting position of a Sudoku puzzle and then sit back and watch as the solution appears in front of them. By Guyon Roche. 1021
How to Develop Web Applications with Ajax: Part 2: In part one of this series, we discussed how to retrieve remote data from an XML file via JavaScript. This week, we'll process that data in a more complex manner. As an example, we'll take groups of XML data, separate individual segments and display those segments in different ways, depending on how they're identified. By Jonathan Fenocchi. 1010
The JavaScript STL (Standard Template Library) Part 3: In the first two articles of this series I introduced three collections of the JavaScript Template Library, including list, vector and deque. This week, I explore the magic of iterators and introduce a new class of sorted collection that includes set, map, multiset and multimap. By Guyon Roche. 0919
The JavaScript Diaries: Part 9: In our last two sections we looked at properties and methods of the window object. In this installment, we'll wrap up our study of the window object by learning how to use the most common of the window event handlers. We'll also take a look at some links for additional help. By Lee Underwood. 0916
Core JavaScript Guide 1.5: JavaScript is Netscape's cross-platform, object-based scripting language. This book explains everything you need to know about using core JavaScript. Knowledge of HTML and some programming experience with a language such as C is helpful. 0903
The JavaScript STL (Standard Template Library): Part 2: This week, we conclude our two-part series with information on the list collection, the vector collection and the deque collection. The article wraps up with a demo and an opportunity to download the code. By Guyon Roche. 0829
The JavaScript STL (Standard Template Library): Part 1: One of the obstacles that programmers encounter is that each language has its own "culture" and ways of getting things done. In the C++ programming language a solution has been developed, known as the Standard Template Library or STL for short. Here's a JavaScript implementation of the STL. By Guyon Roche. 0822
The JavaScript Diaries: Part 8: In this installment we look at the methods that are associated with the window object and how they work. Until now, we've been learning how to build the framework of our scripts but now we'll start to see things happen! Using these methods you'll learn how to implement JavaScript in your Web sites. By Lee Underwood. 0819
Mozilla's New Array Methods: When the next version of Firefox is released later this year, it will be sporting several updates to its JavaScript engine. Part of this JavaScript upgrade directly affects the Array object, which gains several new methods. By Nicholas C. Zakas. 0812
How to Develop Web Applications with Ajax: Part 1: In the past, web applications were limited because a web page had to be reloaded (or another page loaded in its place) in order for new data to be obtained. Recently, a new method, known as "Ajax" (Asynchronous Javascript and XML applications) asynchronously retrieves XML data via JavaScript. Ajax will allow you to take your web applications to the next level. By Jonathan Fenocchi. 0802
The JavaScript Diaries: Part 7: In our last installment we looked at how to create custom-made objects using the Object() constructor. This week, we continue that study by taking a look at browser-based objects. By Lee Underwood. 0722
The JavaScript Diaries: Part 6: This week we go a little deeper into our study, a process that will last for several weeks. Some of the topics covered are JavaScript objects, object properties and methods, the constructor function, and more. By Lee Underwood. 0701
Professional JavaScript for Web Developers: JavaScript in the Browser: Part 2: A sampling of topics covered here are navigating and opening new windows, system dialogs, intervals and timeouts, the document object, the location object and more. Wrox. June 27, 2005
Professional JavaScript for Web Developers: JavaScript in the Browser: Part 1: Web browsers have come a long way over the years and can now handle a variety of file formats, not just conventional HTML. Here, you'll learn how JavaScript fits into HTML, other languages, and some basic concepts of the Browser Object Model. Wrox. June 20, 2005
How to Create Universally Related Popup Menus with Javascript: Single Form Version III: In this article, the author modifies Andy King's original version of the Universally Related Popup Menus (URPMs). His intention was to make it more suitable for submitting data to a server and to simplify the JavaScript "O" objects used to store all the related list data. Read on to see how he did it. By Rob Gravelle. 0613
The JavaScript Diaries: Part 5: This week, as we continue our quest to learn the JavaScript language, we'll look at conditional statements and loops. These can help us to add more depth and complexity to our scripts. By Lee Underwood. 0610
Creating an Autosuggest Textbox with JavaScript: Part 3: In the second part of this series, you learned how to add a dropdown suggestion list to the autosuggest control. This week you'll learn how to complete the modifications, make your suggestions case insensitive and get the suggestions back from the server instead of using client-side information. By Nicholas C. Zakas. 0530
The JavaScript Diaries: Part 4: In this section of the JavaScript Diaries, we'll look at JavaScript functions. These help us to write more intricate programs. A sampling of topics includes writing functions, naming rules, calling a function, global and local variables and more. By Lee Underwood. 0527
The JavaScript Diaries: Part 3: This week we take a look at JavaScript operators, which are used to accomplish many different tasks. Some of the topics covered are mathematical operators, comparison operators, assignment operators, logical (boolean) operators and much more. By Lee Underwood. 0513
The JavaScript Diaries: Part 2: In the first installment, we looked at some general information and guidelines to help prepare us for our study of JavaScript. This week, we delve into parts of the language and we'll also write our first script. By Lee Underwood. 0429
The JavaScript Diaries: Part 1: JavaScript is a versatile language which can be used to create menus, validate forms, provide interactive calendars, post the current day's headlines, track a visitor's history on your site and much more. This week is part one of an ongoing series on the process of learning JavaScript. By Lee Underwood. 0415
Creating an Autosuggest Textbox with JavaScript: Part 2: In the first part of this series, you learned how to create type ahead functionality in a textbox, which presents the user with a single suggestion for what they've already typed. This article builds upon that functionality by adding a dropdown list of multiple suggestions. By Nicholas C. Zakas. 0408
How to Populate Fields from New Windows Using JavaScript: Occasionally, filling out web page forms can be daunting. Fortunately, some forms display a question mark next to the form field, which opens a popup window containing additional information. This week, you'll learn how to enhance the functionality of those windows. By Jonathan Fenocchi. 0405
Creating an Autosuggest Textbox with JavaScript: Part 1: One of Google's new applications is Google Suggest. As you type, Google suggests search terms that come up with results. While not a new implementation, it's quickly becoming popular among developers. This week, you'll learn how to build an autosuggest control one step at a time. By Nicholas C. Zakas. 0321
JavaScript and Accessibility: Part 3: This week we'll learn about fixes and creative options for Drop-down Navigation Selections and DHTML Menus. Other topics covered are proprietary alternatives, document.all and innerHTML. By Jonathan Fenocchi. 0228
JavaScript and Accessibility: Part 2: Last week we began this series with a discussion about new practical and standards-compliant use of JavaScript. We also covered some classical techniques and how to fix them. We continue that process this week, where we look at form validation and rollovers. By Jonathan Fenocchi. 0221
JavaScript and Accessibility: Part 1: In this first article of a three part series, the author introduces us to an increased awareness of web standards, W3C compliance, responsible scripting (which includes a checklist), and fixes for several classical JavaScript design methods that don't work. By Jonathan Fenocchi. 0214
How to Create a WYSIWYG Rich Text Editor in JavaScript: Part 2: Today, you'll learn about different methods for handling keyboard input and the RichEdit control. Keyboard input is handled by two functions; onKeyPress() and onKeyDown(). The the RichEdit constructor creates the necessary HTML elements to display the control. By Guyon Roche. 0210
How to Create a JavaScript Breadcrumb Script: A breadcrumb is a navigational tool used to display the path to the current page. There are several different ways of displaying a breadcrumb. One of them is by using JavaScript. This tutorial will show you how. By Lee Underwood. February 7, 2005
How to Create a WYSIWYG Rich Text Editor in JavaScript: Part 1: On forums, there are many features that allow users to compose richly formatted text with animated emoticons, etc., but you can't see what the finished work will look like until it's posted or unless a preview is generated. Here, author Guyon Roche uses Javascript to show you how your text will look as you write it. 0202
JavaScript: Basic Date Display Script: Would you like to display the current date on your Web pages? One option is to use JavaScript. Here we use a basic date script, thanks to our friends at cgiscript.net. The script also comes with comments so you can understand how it works. By Lee Underwood. 0114

Archived JavaScript and Ajax Tips & Tutorials

Specs and Documentation

Core JavaScript Reference: Version 1.5: This book (in HTML format) is a reference manual for the core JavaScript language, version 1.5. Can be used in conjunction with the Core JavaScript Guide, listed below. Written by the developers at Netscape Communications. An excellent resource.
Core JavaScript Guide: Version 1.5: Starting at the beginning, this reference explains everything you need to know about using core JavaScript. This reference assumes you have the following basic background: a general understanding of the Internet and the World Wide Web and a good working knowledge of HTML. Written by the developers at Netscape Communications. An excellent resource.
JScript Documentation: Technical information and tutorials. From Microsoft.
ECMAScript Language Specification: A PDF version of the official specification for ECMAScript, the vendor-neutral standard for what was originally Netscape's JavaScript

JavaScript Book Excerpts

Here is our complete library of book excerpts covering JavaScript and Ajax.

Archived Doc JavaScript Columns

The Doc JavaScript Archive - These JavaScript articles were written by the Doc JavaScript team (Yehuda Shiran and Tomer Shiran) between 1997 and 2002.

Collections

About.com's JavaScript: Weekly how-tos and resources from About.com.
All About JavaScript: Canned scripts, tips and tricks, and links to JS info around the world. From WebDeveloper.com, another part of the internet.com family of sites.
BrainJar: All about Web development and programming. Rather than simple "cut and paste" listings, you'll find detailed articles on client and server side coding. Supports W3C standards. By Mike Hall.
Danny Goodman's JavaScript Pages: Examples of JavaScript implementation available for downloading in addition to the JavaScript mini-FAQ. Goodman is a noted author and scripter.
Dynamic Drive: Free DHTML sripts and components for your Web site. Frequently updated.
Google's JavaScript Resources: JavaScript references and listings from DMOZ/Google.
JavaScript.com: This WebReference affiliated site is your gateway to all things JavaScript. Featuring javascript tutorials, free java scripts, tools, and links.
javascripts.com: A database with free JavaScripts, discussion groups and news.
JavaScript and CSS DevCenter: O'Reilly Net's JavaScript portal, includes JavaScript news feed.
JavaScript Source: An excellent JavaScript resource with lots of free cut & paste JavaScript examples with source code included.
JavaScript Kit: Tutorials, code, and discussion. Constantly updated for new material and revisions.