Top 10 Javascript Libraries

I didn't write this list in order of rank. All of these libraries are often used by many software developers. So check them here:

1. ExtJS
   If you're bulding rich internet application and need widgets, here is the answer. You can create a nice widget with just a piece of code. It's also has a chart widget.
   
2. Yahoo UI
   Yahoo UI has a heavy namespaced library and very good documentation.
   
3. Dojo Toolkit
   This one has an exellent idea of local data storage. It also has a superb infrastructure and good solid written API - one can easily write its own custom widgets.
4. jQuery
   Write less do more. jQuery attempts to halve the amount of code you write compared to the traditional DOM JavaScript. With the chain concept, you can transfom ten lines of code with just one statement.
   
5. Scipt.aculo.us
   If you're talking about effects, don't forget this one. It has a easy-to-use effects library.
   
6. Moo.FX
   moo.fx is a superlightweight, ultratiny, megasmall javascript effects library, to be used with prototype.js or the mootools framework.
   
7. Mochikit
   MochiKit is a highly documented and well tested, suite of JavaScript libraries that will help you get shit done, fast. We took all the good ideas we could find from our Python, Objective-C.
   
8. Prototype
   Featuring a unique, easy-to-use toolkit for class-driven development and the nicest Ajax library around. It's also became codebase of other libraries.
9. JavascriptToolbox
   If you need any other libraries, just visit this site.
   
10. Jowo
    Finally, this is the best one for me. This is my own library. It's still on production but I have use it in many of my projects.
    

Why I wrote this post? The reason is that there are so many people confused of choosing which javascript library they are going to use. Why they are confused? Because they're looking for the best one. But unfortunately, there is no the best javascript library in the world. Trust me! Each library has weaknesses. So to get the best one, choose the most appropriate library for your needs. Read more...

How To Redirect AJAX Request

There are so many questions out there asking about how to redirect AJAX / XmlHttpRequest. It is usually needed when you provide user login page with AJAX. We ask user for username and password then we send the data to server via AJAX. Server validates user's data. If they are valid we want to redirect user to another page. That's what we want.

Unfortunately, AJAX cannot do that. Why?

AJAX (Asynchronous Javascript And XML) is a kind of asynchronous communication between client and server. The meaning of asynchronous is that the communication is closed after client sending the data. But it's not ending. Client is still waiting for server response. Once the response come, it is retrieved by callback function in client.

We can make an analogy by sending SMS to your friend. SMS is also a kind of asynchronous communication (while Phone Call is synchronous). When you finish sending SMS to your friend, your mobile phone actually stop sending data to your friend. But the phone is still waiting for the reply from your friend. You cannot know when your friend will reply. It could be in a minute, an hour or there will be no reply.

That's an example of asynchronous communication. So what the point?

In web-based communication architecture, if the data is sent asynchronously to server then the response will not be displayed in browser page. It will be passed to callback function that was set just before sending data. That's why we cannot redirect user with AJAX request. The redirection will only occur in server-side not in client-side.

So if we want to redirect AJAX request, it must be done by javascript on client. The server can just send back status message wheter login is failed or succeded. If success, change the page location by javascript. You can do this by this command
window.location = 'http://www.example.com';

Don't forget to leave a comment so I know that this post is useful to you. Read more...