Adding AJAX and Client Capabilities Roadmap

You can enhance the server-based features of ASP.NET by including client-script functionality in ASP.NET Web pages. You can use client script to provide a richer, more responsive user interface to users. You can also use client script to make asynchronous calls to the Web server while a page is running in the browser.

ASP.NET provides two approaches for including client capabilities. The first approach is to use the AJAX features of ASP.NET. ASP.NET AJAX includes a library of client script functions that bring many of the advantages of object-oriented programming and of the ASP.NET model to client scripting. ASP.NET AJAX also provides server-based support that includes Web server controls that can automatically render client script that is required for AJAX functionality.

The second approach is to create client script and integrate it yourself into ASP.NET Web pages. This approach is useful if you have only small pieces of client script or if you want to integrate existing client script into your application. This approach is used by many ASP.NET Web server controls (for example, the validator controls) to add client functionality.

AJAX Features in ASP.NET

The documentation for AJAX features in ASP.NET includes overviews, tutorials, and API reference topics. We suggest you start with the topics under "Getting started" and then following the progression of topics down the table.

ASP.NET AJAX Client Reference

Contains JavaScript APIs and DOM extensions.

ASP.NET AJAX Server Controls Reference

The following .NET Framework APIs support ASP.NET AJAX server controls:

Getting started

Using ASP.NET AJAX server controls

Client scripting with ASP.NET AJAX

Debugging and tracing

Calling Web services and WCF services

Localizing and globalizing applications

Extending ASP.NET AJAX

Client Scripting in ASP.NET

The following topics provide information about how to create client script yourself that enhances the functionality of Web pages and server controls.

Getting started with client scripting

Client scripting with server controls

Dynamic client scripting and script references

Calling back to client code without server postback

See Also

Concepts

ASP.NET Overview

Adding AJAX Functionality to ASP.NET Controls

Other Resources

Learning ASP.NET 3.5, Second Edition: Build Web Applications with ASP.NET 3.5, AJAX, LINQ, and More

Building a Web 2.0 Portal with ASP.NET 3.5: Learn How to Build a State-of-the-Art Ajax Start Page Using ASP.NET, .NET 3.5, LINQ, Windows WF, and More