Frameworks
Since 2005, Ajax developers have been coded manually by developers. Although this practice is only limited to developers who are proficient in JavaScript, coding still recognized as a very robust way in developing your website. Sure there may be flaws, but since the developer who is proficient in JavaScript knows the root the problem could easily create an ample solution.
Nitobi – one of the leading software development companies since 2005 has recognized that ability by different developers. The usual course of developers today, especially those who are not proficient in Ajax is to use a framework which comes with a specific set of functions coming from specific set of libraries. Developing an Ajax based application becomes easier in the sense that JavaScript coding is not anymore necessary in building an Ajax based application. The creators of the most powerful frameworks today in the market have been developed by popular software development companies. Google has GWT and Microsoft Corporation has ASP.Net 3.5 that was developed specifically with an upgrade of Ajax in mind.
The course should have been the same with Nitobi. After all, as a software development company, they should be able to easily build a framework for Ajax. But instead of going that way, Nitobi has somehow set its sights into something better for developers – build components. Nitobi’s components after a few months of release in 2005 has become the backbone of some of the Ajax based application.
Some of Nitobi’s notable components for an Ajax based applications are:
Fisheye – An Apple OS X like toolbar that uses the same name’s enlargement.
Callout – A very useful component as this is commonly used by developers so that they will have real time information about the application they are currently developing.
Grid – Grid has a spreadsheet like function so that developers could interact the information with Excel and other related applications.
Traditionally, this component could be used through manual coding. The component could be easily integrated but it will still require knowledge about JavaScript in the part of the developer.
But that practice is slowly easing up. Notobi has given a complete makeover of their components. At the third quarter of 2007, Nitobi has released the components along with Dreamweaver. By itself, Dreamweaver has enabled millions of developers all over the world build websites with ease. The drag and drop function has become the basic practice of developers and they all have to think about is the aesthetic part of the website.
With the use of Dreamweaver, developers can now use the components in their application without any knowledge of JavaScript. From this standpoint, developers can now built Ajax based applications using Nitobi’s components without even a single coding. The drag and drop function of Dreamweaver will do it for them.
This update for Nitobi of course is developed for enterprise use. By this we mean, Nitobi’s functions are not free. Starting at $429 developers can use certain components for the development of their application. But even if you use this for personal projects, this is still useful – as long as you have the money to buy Nitobi’s components.
