News
Report Reveals AJAX on the Rise
There are now 3.5 million AJAX developers worldwide, a 50 percent increase
over the past year, based on results of a survey that will be released next
week.
The survey, conducted by Santa Cruz, Calif.-based Evans Data Corp., will also
reveal that nearly four out of five, or 78 percent, of AJAX applications are
developed for the Web and nearly 40 percent are for server-centric applications
such as databases, ERP, CRM, as well as rich Internet applications.
Overall, the study shows that AJAX (asynchronous JavaScript and XML) is rapidly
becoming a key technology for the Web, as well as mashups, composite applications
that draw data from multiple sources. "We're seeing huge growth,"
said John Andrews, Evans Data's CEO.
"We see AJAX having a key role in the next generation of applications.
What we've seen to date is enterprise adoption levels that rival any new technology
we've seen in the past three to four years," he said.
Andrews said the reason for its quick acceptance is that AJAX allows an improved
user experience without having to refresh a Web page. AJAX development also
requires minimal effort beyond traditional JavaScript and XML programming.
AJAX was made popular over two years ago by Google Maps, which unlike other
unremarkable map sites gives users pull-down data when they point their mouse
to a particular location.
Glenn Barnett, engagement manager at Boston-based Molecular, said half of the
RFPs he receives are looking for some form of rich Internet application functionality,
up from less than 20 percent a few years ago. That said, he still encounters
reluctance by many companies to run AJAX and Flash within enterprises.
"It is rapidly growing but the people who are into it now are those enthusiastic
about technology and pushing the edge and being innovative," Barnett said.
"The rank and file commoditized applications aren't going to be using what
we refer to as Web 2.0 techniques for the next few years."
Just last week, Molecular client Reebok International launched a site that
builds on Google Maps use of AJAX. Reebok's GoRunEasy.com site, aimed at trying
to motivate more people to run so they will buy more sneakers, lets individuals
create routes using Google Maps. The site lets users upload and share photos,
videos and music, while posting commentary and discussion threads.
"The goal is to allow the customers to share running routs and styles
and thoughts," Barnett said "They
are trying to create a cultural movement around casual running, they are using
an AJAX web site as the medium."
The Evans report suggests there will be a continued surge in the use of AJAX
over the next year. One quarter of those that are using AJAX for enterprise
or consumer facing applications expect AJAX usage to grow by 30 percent, while
another 28 percent see it increasing by more than 50 percent.
About the Author
Jeffrey Schwartz is editor of Redmond magazine and also covers cloud computing for Virtualization Review's Cloud Report. In addition, he writes the Channeling the Cloud column for Redmond Channel Partner. Follow him on Twitter @JeffreySchwartz.