Ajax Before UI - Optimization vs. Practicality

Ajax is highly regarded as the next big step for web developers. From basic online application to mobile gadgets, developers have pushed Ajax and JavaScript so that various applications can be created in a browser.

Any aid from desktop is now limited to launching the browser so that the online application can be accessed. Browsers in mobile gadgets were also improved to handle JavaScript which means they should be able to handle online applications. The capacity of JavaScript and Ajax doesn't seem to have any limitations.

But the real world suggests another theory. An "Ajaxified" application is not necessarily a cool application or something that should be used consistently. In fact, there could be times that using an Ajax based application could only endanger the main goal of the online application: to attract users and to simplify operations online. It could be the best online application but without users and practical use, it will end up as a waste of time for developers and for the business.

UI or Ajax?

It's always important to remember that the best tools are not necessarily the most effective tools. Some may disagree on this but the only way to get the best out of Ajax and/or JavaScript is to know exactly what to do with these tools.

This is why User Interface should always be considered before anything based on Ajax and JavaScript is created. Developers should always ask themselves how users will interact with the online application or simply the website.

Will they need to click on this link? Will they require streaming information? Will the data be a lot better if they are presented in an asynchronous fashion? These are only some of the questions every developer should ask before considering Ajax or JavaScript in their application.

Designing in HTML and Move Forward

Here's a radical idea developers can consider to know more if their application has the right UI to be ajaxified. Create a basic UI with HTML and see if they can work well with users. There are many tools online that can help developers create a basic "shell" for an online application. Even Microsoft Frontpage can be used for this very simple task. If the online application looks great, then HTML alone could provide the needed functions for lightweight applications. On the other hand, if there a room for improvement, then using Ajax should create wonders for the application.

Ajax and JavaScript as Optimization

The best way to improve an online application with the help of Ajax and JavaScript is to look at the programming language as an optimization tool. The UI should always come first because it will determine how users will react to the application.

Of course, JavaScript and Ajax can be used right from the start but the programming language should be considered as the engine - how they will be effectively used will be according to developers.

Ajax and JavaScript have changed the way users interact with browsers and online applications. However the underlying importance of interaction should still be remembered above any programming language and JavaScript is not an exempted.