ASP.Net and Ajax

AJAX (Asynchronous JavaScript and XML) is arguably one of the most hyped technology acronyms around. The primary advantage of using AJAX is that page refreshes can be minimized, allowing users to get the information they need quickly and easily through a more rich and functional interface. Ajax accomplishes this by using JavaScript and an XmlHttp object to send data asynchronously from the browser to the Web server and back.

ASP.Net Ajax Extensions

Microsoft’s ASP.NET AJAX Extensions provide developers with a quick and simple way to add AJAX functionality into any ASP.NET Website, without requiring in-depth knowledge of JavaScript or other AJAX technologies.

Visual Studio 2008 and above by default have AJAX extensions installed or you may download from microsoft site.

Ajax Extension provides 3 controls named “Timer”, UpdatePanel and UpdateProgress you can implement partial page submit using updatepanels.

ASP.Net Ajax Control Toolkit

The ASP.NET AJAX Control Toolkit  is an open-source project built on top of the Microsoft ASP.NET AJAX framework. It is a joint effort between Microsoft and the ASP.NET AJAX community that provides a powerful infrastructure to write reusable, customizable and extensible ASP.NET AJAX extenders and controls, as well as a rich array of controls that can be used out of the box to create an interactive Web experience.

The Ajax Control Toolkit contains more than 40 controls, including the AutoComplete, CollapsiblePanel, ColorPicker, MaskedEdit, Calendar, Accordion, and Watermark controls.

Don’t miss to check all controls in online demo at ASP.Net control toolkit samples.

Note : With ASP.Net ajax toolkit it is possible to have combobox having long text inside list items but fixed size combobox control. Check your self in above link.

Microsoft has published huge learning contents including videos and articles , explore your self to learn Ajax toolkit here.

Configure ASP.Net Ajax Toolkit :

1. Download the latest release of the Ajax Control Toolkit from CodePlex.
2. Unzip binary contents.
3. Add tab to toolbox and choose item -> browse -> locate : AjaxControlToolkit.dll

Note : You may encounter problems when trying to use the Ajax Control Toolkit for the first time.
Asp.net Ajax Control Toolkit needs to be setup using its script manager and not the standard asp.net Script Manager.So one way to avoid the above issues is to drag the ToolkitScriptManager (found in the control toolkit) onto the Form tag and then use any other Ajax Controls.