JavaScript and Ajax Tips & Tutorials | 3

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.

Popular JavaScript Framework Libraries: qooxdoo and SproutCore: JavaScript Frameworks give your site a clean and professional look that would take you months to achieve on your own, if at all. Last week we looked at: Dojo, Rialto and the Spry Frameworks. This week we look at qooxdoo and SproutCore. By Rob Gravelle. 1210
Popular JavaScript Framework Libraries: Dojo, Rialto and Spry Frameworks: In the last article of this series, we turned our attention to three strong contenders for the title of Framework supremacy: JQuery, the Yahoo! UI Library (YUI) and MochiKit. This week we continue our overview of the twelve most popular JavaScript Frameworks with the Dojo, Rialto and Spry Frameworks. By Rob Gravelle. 1127
Working with the DOM Stylesheets Collection: The DOM exposes the style sheets as a property of the document object. Using the document.styleSheets property, you can create, delete and modify existing rules within any style sheet in the page. By Rob Gravelle. 1121
Popular JavaScript Framework Libraries: JQuery, the Yahoo! UI Library (YUI) and MochiKit: Last time we discussed the Prototype, script.aculo.us and MooTools Frameworks. This week, we look at three strong contenders for the title of Framework supremacy: JQuery, the Yahoo! UI Library (YUI) and MochiKit. By Rob Gravelle. 1030
Popular JavaScript Framework Libraries: Prototype, script.aculo.us and MooTools: Javascript Framework libraries have become an integral part of Web development. This series will present an overview of a dozen of the most popular JavaScript Frameworks. This week's article will focus on Prototype, script.aculo.us and MooTools. By Rob Gravelle. 1008
How to Use JavaScript to Validate Form Data: This article discusses how to use JavaScript to validate important types of form data, including names, addresses, URLs, email addresses, phone numbers, zip codes, expiration dates and credit card numbers (Visa, Master Card, Discover, and American Express, in both Canadian and US formats). By Joseph Myers. 1002
The Prototype JavaScript Framework: Programmers tend to collect utility functions to perform common tasks. In this article we look at some of the key features of the Prototype JavaScript Framework and demonstrate how it can make your life easier. By Rob Gravelle. 0925
The Partial Function Application in JavaScript: The partial function application is an effective method of applying different inputs to a single object or bind one of the arguments to a function as a constant. This article covers how to use closures to perform two types of partial application: Binding and currying. By Rob Gravelle. 0905
Creating Dynamic RSS Feeds with Ajax: If you want to place RSS feeds on your Web pages and don't want to learn how to scrape pages, this tutorial will show you how to use the last RSS script to gather them for you. By Lee Underwood. 0902
Performance Optimizations for High Speed JavaScript: In this article, we look at how important JavaScript optimizations are analyzed. These general purpose techniques are designed for JavaScript on all browsers. Detailed graphs of all the performance results are given after each optimization. You will be amazed at the incredible speed improvements! By Joseph Myers. 0828
JavaScript and HTML Tricks: In this article you'll learn about a wide variety of tips: from storing and using hidden data to making HTML forms and lists look great. Each topic contains a brief introduction, then details on how to apply the technique. By Joseph Myers. 0711
How to Use a JavaScript Query String Parser: In this article you'll learn how to obtain and use the data from the query string portion of the URL by using a JavaScript query string parser. This script is especially useful for people whose Web sites are served by free hosting providers. By Joseph K. Myers. 0612
How to Create an Ajax Autocomplete Text Field: • Part 1: In this series we're going to use AJAX to create an autocomplete text field using the Eclipse Web Tools Platform with the Apache Tomcat server. In this installment, we'll learn how to configure the development environment.; • Part 2: In this installment we'll construct the The Fund Java class, which will act as a container for all the fund's properties. On the server, we'll store a collection of funds to be searched. Matching ones will be converted to a JSON array and returned to the browser for displaying in our autocomplete list.; • Part 3: In this installment we'll be developing the AutocompleteServlet. The servlet acts much like an ASP, Perl or PHP script in that it's executed by the server and accepts parameters from the browser.; • Part 4: Now it's time to turn our attention to the Web components. This week we'll create the CSS file, since it, along with the JavaScript file, need to be linked to the AutocompleteSearch.jsp page.; • Part 5: In part 4 of the series, we defined the appearance of our autocomplete control using an external cascading style sheet (CSS). This week we'll create a JavaScript file to manage the behavior of the autocomplete control in the browser.; • Part 6: In part 5 of the series, the AutocompleteList JavaScript file, we wrote the client-side script to manage the behavior of the Autocomplete control in the browser. This week we're going to finish the remaining Web files, including the AutocompleteSearch.jsp page.; • Part 7: In this series we've built a fully functional Autocomplete control within Eclipse. For the remaining installments, we'll be updating the Autocomplete control's layout to CSS, decoupling it from the Autocomplete.jsp page, tweaking the appearance of the list, and implementing additional functionality.; • Part 8: This week we look at how to add a vertical scrollbar to the list. We're also going to use a parameter to set the list size, so a vertical scrollbar will appear when the number of items exceeds it.; • Part 9: This week we continue to add functionality and tweak the appearance of our control by implementing search string matching in the list items and by adding a CSS drop shadow effect.; • Part 10: This week we'll be delving into the last major functional piece of our Autocomplete Control: key event handlers.; • Part 10: Along the way, we learned about the Eclipse IDE, the Eclipse Web Project, JSP pages, how to add a Tomcat server to the IDE, JavaScript, AJAX, JSON and CSS. This week we wrap up the series by adding code to process ENTER and TAB keystrokes, and keeping the list open when returning from another page.
An Introduction to JavaScript Object Notation (JSON): JavaScript Object Notation, or JSON for short, is a lightweight data-interchange format which may prove to be a viable alternative to XML for IT developers. It's easy to read and write by people as well as for machines to parse and generate. By Rob Gravelle. 0227
Using Multiple JavaScript Onload Functions: When scripts are written they're used to accomplish a given task, such as creating a rotating picture gallery, or to validate a form. For each task, a separate script is necessary. Often, a script is called using an onload function. By Lee Underwood. 0121
Universally Related Popup Menus Ajax Edition: • Part 1: This week we look at a brief overview of AJAX, some relevant JavaScript 1.3 enhancements, how to run the example and using the script within your own Web page. By Rob Gravelle. 0123; • Part 2: Last week we looked at a brief overview of Ajax, relevant JavaScript 1.3 enhancements, how to run the example and using the script within your own Web page. This week we look at additional functionality that you'd like to add to scripts and an in-depth explanation of the JavaScript code. By Rob Gravelle. 0130; • Part 3: Last week we looked at an in-depth explanation of the JavaScript code. This week, we conclude the series with a line-by-line walkthrough of the JavaScript code and describe the server-side classic ASP script code. By Rob Gravelle. 0206

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.