Dojo Updates for Better Ajax

For the past few weeks, JavaScript libraries have been in the spotlight. jQuery has experienced massive attention for the past few weeks because not only Microsoft has opted to adopt their library,

Nokia has announced that they will be tapping jQuery for their webkit-based applications. Both companies have promised to use jQuery without making any changes but will be helping in fixing holes in jQuery until they are fully adoptable.

On the other hand, Dojo have been updating its library to provide better experience for users and ease the development of Ajax using their library.

The following are the key updates of Dojo in their library:

Better JSON Schema

Before the update, JSON Schema was used specifically for JavaScript as they should be integrated solely for an Ajax based application. Today, JSON Scheme will not be language sensitive.

This means any information from any programming language will be accepted by JSON Schema.

Most of the functions of JSON Schema in the library will stay the same but a key update on this function is that it will now be used in the client side. JSON Scheme could be actively used in the browser which will improve data manipulation.

Better Dojo Builds

This update has practically tagged Dojo as one of the most powerful libraries of JavaScript. Dojo builds have been made to be automatic for developers.

This will cut development time considerably as developers would practically let Dojo do their task.

Of course this would hamper customization but from the fact that Dojo has considerably updated builds to be automated is very impressive.

By using automatic builds, developers will no longer have to deal with updates manually as well.

Simply put, Dojo builds will be able to develop according to the updates without manual assistance from developers.

Toolkit Update

Dojo has also updated their toolkit by adding two attributes: dojo.attr and Dojo.style. The first function in toolkit was created to properly differentiate attributes.

This update in the toolkit will enable the separation of attributes in a function to the "cosmetic" version of the function.

Developers will now have the ability to expand the functions while the style of the function will remain intact.

Although they could not be easily distinguished, careful consideration should be done to enable easy updates on the function.

Improved Drag Handles

Although not frequently used by developers, the handler is now better especially that builds have been automated.

The updates on the new Dojo has even included updates on Dojo Grid now in version 1.2. This update is geared towards interoperability and ease of navigation through the system.

With the update on Dojo Grid, developers will have more options on how to edit their applications before release.

Dojo may not have the same limelight compared to jQuery, but they do have impressive updates which will surely be useful to most developers. Dojo and Dojo Grid are making strides to be fully compatible with browsers and different programming languages which will, of course, improve the performance of the application.