With Ajax (Asynchronous JavaScript and XML), the interaction model for Web applications has become more robust, like desktop applications, with continuous interaction and improved usability. Some of the benefits of adding Ajax capabilities to your applications include:
- A more interactive, differentiated experience which can lead to longer sessions and increased customer loyalty
- Responsiveness, local actions which can result in fewer abandoned transactions, higher completion rates, and higher end-user productivity
Unlike other rich Web user interface approaches, Ajax applications leverage standard browser features and do not require browser plug-ins.
The WebSphere Application Server Feature Pack for Web 2.0 is an IBM-supported solution for creating Ajax-based applications and mashups on WebSphere Application Server. In addition to providing Ajax development tools, this feature pack includes server enhancements to support common Web 2.0 applications patterns.
WebSphere Application Server Feature Packs are optionally installable product extensions that offer targeted, incremental new features and capabilities. For existing WebSphere Application Server customers, the Feature Pack for Web 2.0 is available at no additional cost via download for production use, given proof of entitlement (PoE) for the Feature Pack's prerequisite WebSphere Application Server product (see Hardware and Software Requirements).
Web 2.0 to SOA Connectivity
Web 2.0 applications extend the value of SOA through rich user experiences and integration between external and internal content. As a result of technical and browser security limitations, basic connectivity between Ajax clients and SOA services has been complex and expensive to develop. Web 2.0 to SOA Connectivity reduces costs and speeds up development by simplifying extension of SOA with Ajax.
Specifically, the WebSphere Application Server Feature Pack for Web 2.0 includes an Ajax proxy component that eliminates browser security concerns with cross-domain scripting when combining internal and external services. Also,JSON (JavaScript Object Notation) libraries and Web remoting capability simplify connecting directly to JEE services using REST (Representational State Transfer). In order to extend SOA data outside of the enterprise for partners and customers, this feature pack provides feed syndication support compliant with standards such as ATOM.
Ajax Messaging
Traditionally, Web applications have relied on a request / response model where user action dictated updates to the browser window. In order to enable a more interactive user experience, Ajax applications require a different approach.
Ajax Messaging enables a "publish and subscribe" model whereby the server can stream data updates, messages, and events in real time to the client. Ajax Messaging uses a Comet application pattern without the need for additional client side plug-ins. The package includes server- and client-side Ajax components that communicate via Ajax friendly JSON-based messages.
The end result is that data updates and events can be delivered dynamically to Internet browsers from an enterprise service bus (ESB) or other message source.
Ajax Development Toolkit
With hundreds of proprietary and open Ajax implementations available, developers and architects are faced with yet another tough technology adoption challenge. The question is which Ajax platform will emerge as an enterprise standard. IBM has adopted the open-source Dojo toolkit (dojotoolkit.org) as its internal standard, is a key contributor to the Dojo project, and a committed member of the Dojo Foundation. The IBM commitments to the Dojo project include enterprise features such as internationalization, data binding, and accessibility support.
For WebSphere Application Server V6.0, V6.1, and WebSphere Application Server Community Edition V2.0 customers, the WebSphere Application Server Feature Pack for Web 2.0 provides the Dojo Toolkit Ajax libraries and Web 2.0 sample applications. Additional IBM extensions to the base Dojo Toolkit include libraries for ATOM (ATOM Syndication Format) data access, analog and bar gauges, and simplified access for SOAP Web services.
By providing a supported Ajax toolkit for WebSphere customers, the IBM Ajax Development Toolkit can reduce time to market and help lower Ajax adoption costs. Additionally, the Feature Pack for Web 2.0 works with existing developer IDEs like IBM Rational Application Developer 7.
