AJAX-Design
At first glance, Ajax is definitely one of the most complicated web techniques out there. The combination of JavaScript, XML and HTML might be just too much for budding developers, literally requiring months of development for a simple Ajax application. Because of its complication, developers have been backing out from Ajax and looking for some alternatives. Fortunately, alternates have come out. One of them is AHAH wherein an HTML version of Ajax is proposed. AHAH has almost the same output but with simpler coding. Another version called FJAX has been circling around the web as it uses Flash to transfer XML files faster with efficient cross browser capabilities.
Another version of Ajax has been proposed and used by some developers. HIJAX has been developed and became a framework following Ajax principles and simplifying it. It is not that revolutionary but its coding is smarter that it is definitely worth a second look.
HIJAX believes in progressive enhancement as the key in developing a highly efficient website. Instead of creating codes and adding texts later, HIJAX takes the other route: take a look at the available texts or web content and apply their own codes, therefore building the website in the process.
But what made HIJAX to be an impressive alternative to Ajax is that it practically does not use any XML at all. Any mark-up is disregarded and even the object handling is not there. Instead of all the complicated things that will be coded for an efficient Ajax implementation, HIJAX passes all the responsibility of executing those codes and functions to an API. The idea of the name (HIJAX) comes from the process of intercepting (Hijacking) forms from server using JavaScript and presenting them in a webpage as a totally brand new website using JavaScript.
There are so many positive implications HIJAX because of its API use. Among them is using the server extensively for its functions. Instead of transferring the functions to the client, the API takes every major function. That means code execution is faster compared to a simple Ajax based website wherein other functions is transferred to client. Another advantage of HIJAX is that JavaScript in client and server side never overlaps. Again, thanks to an API, HIJAX is already a set of framework. Everything is already loaded in the server and at the same time, the information is properly streamlined in client-side JavaScript.
To properly execute the HIJAX, it requires an architectural format for proper support. For HIJAX to work everything has to be modular or else it will just defeat the purpose of building simpler Ajax. HIJAX could be implemented within the modular environment since it does not have that extensive coding requirement. API works in a very modular behavior so it could be easily integrated within that architecture. A great example for this is in developing website, web-developers have to build each function separately and join them all together through an API.
HIJAX is a very smart alternate to Ajax. When maximized, it can assure performances just like, or even more than an Ajax based website.
