Can I start with Ajax vrs JavaScript?

[buildakicker]

Hi all,

I am just getting into programming here. I have css and html down, but don't know much about anything else. I have started with the Ajax book from sitepoint, but am wondering if I should learn JavaScript first? Any thoughts on where to start? Thanks!

[felgall]

To be able to use Ajax you need both Javascript and a server side language. It doesn't matter whether you learn Javascript or the server side language first but as Ajax is just a way of getting the two to communicate you can't do anything with Ajax unless you know both Javascript and the server side language that you want to use to respond to the requests.

[buildakicker]

So I should sharpen my php and learn javascript really, before I start with Ajax?

[logic_earth]

Basicly AJAX is Javascript so either way you have to know Javascript to use it. But i recommend moving slowly when it comes to AJAX because it can become very complex the faster you move the more mistakes you will make (and some mistakes you would rather not make).

[Net-Margin]

I think you are basing AJAX as a language when it is a technology.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AJAX

That explains quite a bit, basically I would learn Javascript, XML and PHP and then you can learn how to efficiently intergrate AJAX technology into your code or website.

[JVLB]

Asynchronous JavaScript and XML = AJAX. It is actually possible to write AJAX with static pages at the server (not that you'd really want to, though, on occasion, it can be useful for testing); AJAX itself is all JavaScript/DHTML with the simple addition of XMLHttpRequest providing background communication with the server.

Trying to do AJAX without knowing JavaScript would be like trying to drive without knowing how the steering wheel works - you might get somewhere, but the result wouldn't likely be pretty.