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Issues of Scale with Client-side Javascript

Hi All:

I have recently (with the invaluable help of this newsgroup) learned how
to provide dynamic html using client-side Javascript. I have a happy and
excited customer. Well, I'm happy that he's happy, but his excitement
has got me a bit alarmed.

Here's what I've done:
Provided an interface to a search engine in which the onchange event in
a select list element generates between 7 and 13 additional elements
depending on the option chosen.

Here's what the customer *now* wants to do:
Generate between 200 and 350 elements. Furthermore, the logic is going
to be more complex.

I would be happy to make that happen, however here's my concern: I'm
already doing this from the server side, using CGI. I wonder what is
going to happen when we put that degree of "work" on the client browser.
I would welcome comments, caveats, or pointers to documentation and
discussions on this subject.

Thanks again folks. You've been great!
Tim Johnson
-----------
Alaska Internet Solutions
Jul 23 '05 #1
2 1479
Tim Johnson wrote:
Hi All:

I have recently (with the invaluable help of this newsgroup) learned how
to provide dynamic html using client-side Javascript. I have a happy and
excited customer. Well, I'm happy that he's happy, but his excitement
has got me a bit alarmed.

Here's what I've done:
Provided an interface to a search engine in which the onchange event in
a select list element generates between 7 and 13 additional elements
depending on the option chosen.

Here's what the customer *now* wants to do:
Generate between 200 and 350 elements. Furthermore, the logic is going
to be more complex.

I would be happy to make that happen, however here's my concern: I'm
already doing this from the server side, using CGI. I wonder what is
going to happen when we put that degree of "work" on the client browser.
I would welcome comments, caveats, or pointers to documentation and
discussions on this subject.


The silence is deafening...

If this is for an intranet where you have reasonably new PCs, then it
might be OK if you need to reduce the load on your server. But for
the internet, I'd say it's a recipe for disaster. A good number of
your visitors PCs will groan under the weight and run like molasses
on a frosty morning - they wont be back.

Your pages should be fully functional without JavaScript and only use
it for extras or saving your users some time by reducing the number
of server trips (e.g. form validation, dynamic content).

For example, many sites are beginning to use JavaScript for div
'pop-ups' rather than windows because of pop-up blockers. So I now
frequently surf with JavaScript turned off just to avoid them.

Some stats show 10 to 15% of surfers have JavaScript off (though many
reckon browser stats are utterly useless, I think they can offer
indications of trends at least).
--
Rob
Jul 23 '05 #2
RobG wrote:
Tim Johnson wrote:

<...>


The silence is deafening...

If this is for an intranet where you have reasonably new PCs, then it
might be OK if you need to reduce the load on your server. But for
the internet, I'd say it's a recipe for disaster. A good number of
your visitors PCs will groan under the weight and run like molasses
on a frosty morning - they wont be back.

Your pages should be fully functional without JavaScript and only use
it for extras or saving your users some time by reducing the number
of server trips (e.g. form validation, dynamic content).

For example, many sites are beginning to use JavaScript for div
'pop-ups' rather than windows because of pop-up blockers. So I now
frequently surf with JavaScript turned off just to avoid them.

Some stats show 10 to 15% of surfers have JavaScript off (though many
reckon browser stats are utterly useless, I think they can offer
indications of trends at least).


Thanks Rob.

BTW: You are preaching to the already converted. I just needed a
second opinion to show to my customer.

Yeah, even with validation, I always provide server-side modules for
that, even if I've got JS on the font end.

I've always considered Javascript a bit like vodka. In the right time
and place it's great, but used to excess can create a major headache.

Cheers
tim
Jul 23 '05 #3

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