Best Practices for Layout in Ajax

Building an Ajax based application is all about developing online applications with rich user interface. Because of the popularity of Web 2.0 sites, developers are often geared in building applications with interactivity and layout for an Ajax based application.

The use of JavaScript and simple layout patterns provided by HTML and other applications has created almost unlimited options on what the application will look like.

But even with almost available options for layout, there are still limitations developers have to consider. More often than not, they have to consider some things especially the functionality of the layout. A website could be too glossy without any functions and would practically end up as a useless application.

The beauty of developing layouts for an Ajax based application is in the combination of layouts. The errors that often come out with layouts in Ajax are not based on single function but on the combination of functions. That is why it is easy to fix the layout problems in an Ajax based application.

Stretching Interface

A common interface, developers offer to their users is the ability to stretch the window to fit to the preference of the user. This was made possible in an Ajax based application because of the adaptability of JavaScript to the client-side commands. But the ability of the interface to stretch should not be observed at all times.

Developers have to consider that the non-stretched functions of the application. If these functions exist, developers have to stick to regular interface without the option for stretching. If stretch interface is forced to the function, not only will the application look bad but it will also jeopardize the performance of the function.

Use of Percentage

Percentage is used to indicate if the interface has covered the space provided by the browser. This can be used for better interaction so that it could properly fit with other functions. But percentage has great limitations since it will only provide a single dimension of measurement.

Instead of percentage, developers have to use pixilation to have the right dimension of the interface. This happens if the interface can be stretched. Pixilation is a good indicator for other functions especially in determining if the application is good enough to be seen by the user.

Using the Position Style

Commanding that a specific window will be placed in a specific area without additional options should never be practiced. Position style will just dictate that the window will be placed in one area.

Developers have to observe full customization at all time. Position style is probably the easiest to build a better interface but developers have to remember that an Ajax based application is all about customization and interaction.

Using Page Template

Page template is always the developers’ best friend since it could be applied to the application thus reducing the need for additional development. As long as the source of template is secured, developers should never think twice of using page template if they think they cannot build the right interface for their users.