AJAX-Tips
XML is one of the most important tools in Ajax development. This mark-up language is more than just a simple carrier of information as it can practically take the center stage in an application. When you are running in a database intensive application, XML becomes the most important part of the Ajax based application.
One of the biggest reasons why most developers have opted to use XML for Ajax is its ability to be used freely in any languages. That means XML could easily be integrated in any languages and development techniques.
Since developers can freely make some changes in XML formats, it has become a challenge for developers to adapt to other languages easily. That is why a separate language has been developed to easily convert XML into different formats. Called the XSLT or XSL Transformation, developers have the ability to convert XML to another format such as XHTML.
With XSLT, developers will be ensured of interoperability of format to other function. You can easily port the function of XML to another format. Aside from this function, developers can use XML and use it as a style sheet language. With XSLT, you can change the format in your XML and cascade it into another application.
XSLT can be easily used in an Ajax based application. In fact, XSLT will enable your application to work better. JavaScript is a little bit complicated and it could be even more when you integrate them in an Ajax based application. XSLT makes it possible for XML to be easily used in an Ajax based application.
Since JavaScript is unique, it needs specific mark-up language such as JSON, XSLT transform the universal mark-up language so that it could be integrated into JavaScript easily. That means you have something better and faster in the end.
If you are looking for a good looking sample of XSLT, search for a function called the SkinnerBox. It shows almost everything what XSLT could do in a simple database intensive website.
SkinnerBox essentially works like this: when you apply a website in SkinnerBox, the application “skins” all the XML found in the application. XML usually has all good and important information you are looking for in the website.
SkinnerBox extracts all the information you could find and shows all the information as a style-sheet. When you integrate this function in an Ajax based website, you will be able to develop a good looking website that streams all the information without even the user clicking on single information.
Just think of all the possible scenarios when you have the ability to connect XML into different types of frameworks at the same time. XSLT could work with easily with different frameworks that you can easily create a mash-up.
If you are looking for a data intensive application, XSLT is one of the best tools that could help you use not just one but a couple of frameworks. You do not even have to learn another mark-up language just to translate their function into the application you are working on.
