Since the start of Web programming, numerous tradeoffs have existed between Web applications and desktop applications. For example, it has been generally accepted that Web applications don`t provide the same type of rich user interface as desktop applications. On the flip side, Web applications are platform independent and provide an easier development mechanism. One area that`s been a continuous battleground for Web developers has been the seemingly simple task of providing more responsive applications.<br /> <br /> Traditionally, a response to a user`s input could only be retrieved by submitting a new request to the Web server. In some cases, developers could load all responses on the client (using JavaScript) and provide a better user experience. A common example of this technique is to dynamically load a list of states or provinces, based on a selected country. Unfortunately, in many cases, neither posting back nor loading everything into JavaScript felt correct. Either posting back created too much of a UI disconnect, or an unmanageable amount of data was required on the client (which often resulted in less-than-readable JavaScript). AJAX provides a new in-between alternative, capable of leveraging the server-based application while maintaining a responsive and slick feel.
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