Frameworks
Here is another server-side framework for Ajax that has been developed for sometime now. This framework was last updated November 2005 but still holds great relevance in building Ajax based websites until today. Why? Because among the many server-side frameworks out there, few of them actually caters to PHP and XOAD is a rare few that has been proven to work for many years now.
XOAD used to be called NAJAX. With the changed name, the framework came out with better functionality. As a natural behavior of any server side-framework, XOAD has the ability to translate the PHP into JavaScript, therefore enabling an Ajax based website even without the knowledge of JavaScript.
At first glance you can say XOAD might be just another PHP framework out there. The options for a PHP framework is pretty good although there are just a few were built that are actually being used. XOAD is quite simple on its own. But when you expand it using the add-ons and additional functions, the options you can do with this framework is very impressive.
Before we continue, XOAD has small requirements for them to work. First is an FTP that recognizes PHP and MySQL Database. The first requirement is for developers to properly configure PHP while the other requirement is necessary to unlock the full potential of the frameworks such as using add-ons.
XOAD is a different compared to other PHP-enabled frameworks because of the following features:
• Uses JSON – Instead of XML, XOAD has opted to use the other markup language so that it could work well with PHP especially with data communication. XML might be a viable option but if you want to be more specific in data transmission without the necessity of figuring out what type of data is transmitted, you will never go wrong with JSON.
• Server Side Events – An added functionality in XOAD, developers should be able to place an “eye” in the server to observe to overall performance of the website. This function effectively takes care of the server and alerts the developer if there is any problem with the system.
• Developer friendly extensions – One of the reasons why Ajax is a little bit difficult is the coming together of JavaScript, XML and HTML. This tripod is not as easy as it looks and if you are not familiar with JavaScript, you will have a long way to go. But this framework cuts back all the concerns as it uses JSON for XML, PHP for JS and an extension for using HTML. It is not reduced to point and click but it is a lot easier even without the knowledge of Ajax.
• Caching – The trouble with Ajax especially in IE is caching. IE fetches too many information that eventually, you are application halts altogether. But an added extension in XOAD should address this concern altogether.
XOAD is good looking framework. Even with the requirement of MySQL, the investment is worth it especially when you are planning to build a highly interactive website armed only with PHP.
