Wednesday, 29 June 2005

Microsoft Cleans Up AJAX with 'Atlas'

Microsoft is preparing an object oriented JavaScript framework for AJAX developers code-named "Atlas." The first Atlas bits will arrive at PDC 2005 in September following the 2.0 release of ASP.NET, and provide developers with new options for creating Avalon enabled browser applications.

Microsoft has supported components of AJAX, or Asynchronous JavaScript and XML, within Internet Explorer dating back to its adoption of JScript, DHTML and XMLHTTP. But, development using the AJAX approach has consisted of intensive scripting and what Microsoft deems as cobbling together of complementary technologies. Google Maps is one example of an advanced browser-based service implemented using AJAX.

Many of the AJAX technology components have been used internally by Microsoft for many years within consumer facing products including Outlook Web Access and MSN Hotmail. Now, Microsoft is making it easier for others to build rich applications using AJAX.