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. Client Reference
ASP.NET AJAX Server Controls Reference	The following .NET Framework APIs support ASP.NET AJAX server controls: CompositeScriptReference CompositeScriptReferenceEventArgs HistoryEventArgs ScriptManager ScriptManagerProxy ScriptReference ScriptReferenceBase ScriptReferenceCollection Timer UpdatePanel UpdatePanelControlTrigger UpdatePanelRenderMode UpdatePanelTrigger UpdatePanelTriggerCollection UpdatePanelUpdateMode UpdateProgress
Getting started	ASP.NET AJAX Overview Sample AJAX Application Introduction to the UpdatePanel Control Introduction to the UpdateProgress Control Walkthrough: Introduction to the Timer Control
Using ASP.NET AJAX server controls	UpdatePanel Control Overview UpdateProgress Control Overview Timer Control Overview ScriptManager Control Overview
Client scripting with ASP.NET AJAX	Creating Custom Client Script by Using the Microsoft AJAX Library Walkthrough: Embedding a JavaScript File as a Resource in an Assembly Walkthrough: Embedding Localized Resources for a JavaScript File Managing Browser History Combining Client Scripts into a Composite Script
Debugging and tracing	Debugging and Tracing AJAX Applications Overview
Calling Web services and WCF services	Web Services in ASP.NET AJAX Using Web Services in ASP.NET AJAX Exposing Web Services to Client Script Exposing WCF Services to Client Script Calling Web Services from Client Script
Localizing and globalizing applications	Localizing Resources for Component Libraries Overview Walkthrough: Globalizing a Date by Using Client Script Walkthrough: Embedding Localized Resources for a JavaScript File
Extending ASP.NET AJAX	Creating Custom Non-Visual Client Components Creating Custom AJAX Client Controls Creating an Extender Control to Associate a Client Behavior with a Web Server Control Adding Client Capabilities to a Web Server Control

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 Script in ASP.NET Web Pages Creating Custom Client Script by Using the Microsoft AJAX Library
Client scripting with server controls	How to: Add Client Script Events to ASP.NET Web Server Controls ASP.NET Web Server Controls that Use Client Script
Dynamic client scripting and script references	How to: Add Client Script Dynamically to ASP.NET Web Pages Dynamically Assigning Script References Walkthrough: Embedding a JavaScript File as a Resource in an Assembly
Calling back to client code without server postback	Implementing Client Callbacks Programmatically Without Postbacks in ASP.NET Web Pages How to: Implement Callbacks in ASP.NET Web Pages Client-Callback Implementation (C#) Example Client-Callback Implementation (Visual Basic) Example Client Callback with Validation Implementation Example

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