Which Ajax frameworks should I choose?

[Caper]

Hello everyone,

I can’t decide which Ajax framework(s) I should take in my project since I am a newbie in the Ajax world.

The main task of this project relates to online examining in all middle schools of a province. The structure of each testing paper is rather simple. It contains only 20 to 30 single choice or multiple-choice questions. Once a student finishes a test paper, he or she can press the Submit button to transmit all the answers to the server for further processing.

The requirements of my project are as follows,
1) Calling CFC directly from within HTML file and easily to handle the result returned from server in the client side. The reason for using HTML file to represent a test paper is to accelerate transmission speed.
2) Having full control over DOM elements, especially the radio group buttons and checkboxes. If a student presses the Submit button while he or she does not entirely finish the test paper, the submission will be rejected. The browser gathers all the unanswered questions via iterating all the radio group buttons to prompt the student to do them again.
3) Making the radio button and checkbox to have a bit more attractive appearance. The ordinary look and feel of these UI elements is too unobtrusive.
4) Minimizing the size of the HTML file as smaller as possible, so the size of JavaScript files including in the HTML file should be smaller.
5) Transmitting the student’s information along with the test paper answers. When submitting, the content passes from the student to the server containing not only all answers but also the student’s name, the client machine’s IP address and the total elapsed time for finishing the test paper.
6) Having a small area in the test paper to receive the real time messages from the teachers, which causes the HTML file to access the server periodically.
So, which Ajax framework should I use to accomplish all the requirements above, ajaxCFC, jQuery, Adobe Spry, Yahoo YUI or something else? Do I have to use a combination of several Ajax frameworks?

Thank you in advance!
caper

[RamananKalirajan]

Hello Sir, I suggest you can work on PrototypeJS framework. Since it can support all browser it will be useful for you. If you are somewhat familiar with Javascripts means prototype will be very easy. I suugest you prototype. But see the www.prototypejs .org/ document over there> If you think it is easy you can go for that.

Regards
Ramanan Kalirajan

[Caper]

Hi Ramanan,

Thank you for your response!
I just searched the PrototypeJS framework, someone said the speed of its selector is a bit slower than jQuery. I can't see the showcase or demo about the appearance of radio buttons and the way it calls CFC in the web site of PrototypeJS, do you give me a link of that?

Best Regards,
caper

[RamananKalirajan]

Hello Sir, the radio buttons will be looking similar to the normal Html radio buttons if you need you can write your own css. Now I am currently working on prototypejs. So only I suggested that to you. Sorry I can't give any URl you request for.

Regards
Ramanan Kalirajan

[acoder]

So, which Ajax framework should I use to accomplish all the requirements above, ajaxCFC, jQuery, Adobe Spry, Yahoo YUI or something else? Do I have to use a combination of several Ajax frameworks?

My advice would be to use only one framework which most closely meets your requirements, especially ease of use, size, functionality, etc. If you're lucky, all of them should be met quite easily. If not, you can code the remaining parts.

[RamananKalirajan]

Hi Ramanan,

Thank you for your response!
I just searched the PrototypeJS framework, someone said the speed of its selector is a bit slower than jQuery. I can't see the showcase or demo about the appearance of radio buttons and the way it calls CFC in the web site of PrototypeJS, do you give me a link of that?

Best Regards,
caper

Hello Sir, may be this site will be helpful for you
http://www.tutorialspo int.com/prototype/prototype_overv iew.htm

Regards
Ramanan Kalirajan

[gits]

My advice would be to use only one framework which most closely meets your requirements, especially ease of use, size, functionality, etc. If you're lucky, all of them should be met quite easily. If not, you can code the remaining parts.

the best advice here currently ... never use combinations of different frameworks unless you are sure where they could interfere ... i promise you that you will get nuts when you are not aware of this ... the one framework extends the native javascript array, the next extends it too and overwrite the extension etc. ... most frameworks are made for a standalone use and that is good! since this avoids useless dependencies ... so you definitly should choose only one! in case you need parts of different ones then you have to create a custom composite-framework first where you have to ensure that everything works together and as expected ...

kind regards

[Caper]

Hi all,

Ramanan, I begin to learn PrototypeJS through the web site you provided.

gits, I really appreciate your suggestion. I should use only one Ajax framework in my project. These days I am busy in comparing the main Ajax frameworks to find which one is best for the project. You know, I should have a basic knowledge of them in order to select the right one. So, I indeed cherish the advice from you who are the pioneers in the Ajax world.

Best Regards,
caper

[RamananKalirajan]

Hello Caper,
Happy to see you. I am also learning prototype js since I am involved in development. I am working on that. I dont know about other frameworks. If any doubts regarding the prototype pls post it. i will try me level best to help you out.


Regards
Ramanan Kalirajan

[acoder]

Here's a quick comparison of some frameworks that you might find useful.