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Apache XAP - The New Approach to AJAX

XAP represents a new way of developing, deploying and maintaining AJAX applications
By Coach Wei
Article Rating:
June 29, 2006 02:45 PM EDT
Reads:
 16,837
Apache XAP - The New Approach to Ajax (1)

XAP is up and running at Apache (under Apache Incubator)...

It's initial website is at: http://incubator.apache.org/xap. For those who are really brave, feel free to participate xap-dev@incubator.apache.org for discussions / suggestions / comments, or dig into source repositary.

Why XAP and What Is The Value of Declarative Ajax?
XAP represents a new way of developing, deploying and maintaining Ajax applications. It uses a declaratiave syntax (XAL, http://www.openxal.org/) for describing UI, Data, Data Binding - so that the only Javascript code that needs to be written is business logic. Everything else can be done declaratively (or even using visual development tools). The following diagram shows how XAP simplifies Ajax development:

In the "Old Model", developers have to write Javascript code for everything: Ajax UI, business logic, data, borwser compatibility and network communications, etc. In the XAP model, the only Javascript to write is business logic. Everything else is done declaratively and covered by XAP itself.

XAP Architecture
XAP is based on an application design center while most of the Ajax offerings today are based on a web design center. XAP actually leverages Dojo and other Ajax toolkits for various functionality, instead of reinventing the wheel. The following is the overall XAP architecture:

In the next article, we'll cover:

1. XAP positioning?

2. What are the out-of-box functionality from XAP?

3. XAP Plugin Architecture: the Magic that support any markup or any Ajax toolkit

4. XAP code samples

Published June 29, 2006 – Reads 16,837
Copyright © 2006 SYS-CON Media, Inc. — All Rights Reserved.
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More Stories By Coach Wei

Coach Wei is the Founder and Chairman of Nexaweb (www.nexaweb.com), developers of the leading software platform for building and deploying Web 2.0 and AJAX applications. Previously, he played a key role at EMC Corporation in the development of a new generation of storage network management software. Wei has his master's degree from MIT, holds several patents, is the author of several technology publications including JDJ, Web 2.0 Journal, and AJAXWorld Magazine, and is an industry advocate for the proliferation of open standards.

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Most Recent Comments
SYS-CON Australia News Desk 06/24/06 12:36:15 PM EDT

XAP represents a new way of developing, deploying and maintaining Ajax applications. It uses a declaratiave syntax (XAL, http://www.openxal.org/) for describing UI, Data, Data Binding - so that the only Javascript code that needs to be written is business logic. Everything else can be done declaratively (or even using visual development tools). The following diagram shows how XAP simplifies Ajax development.
SYS-CON India News Desk 06/24/06 12:21:20 PM EDT

XAP represents a new way of developing, deploying and maintaining Ajax applications. It uses a declaratiave syntax (XAL, http://www.openxal.org/) for describing UI, Data, Data Binding - so that the only Javascript code that needs to be written is business logic. Everything else can be done declaratively (or even using visual development tools). The following diagram shows how XAP simplifies Ajax development.
AJAXWorld News Desk 06/24/06 11:51:19 AM EDT

XAP represents a new way of developing, deploying and maintaining Ajax applications. It uses a declaratiave syntax (XAL, http://www.openxal.org/) for describing UI, Data, Data Binding - so that the only Javascript code that needs to be written is business logic. Everything else can be done declaratively (or even using visual development tools). The following diagram shows how XAP simplifies Ajax development.