Use Atlas to simplify client Ajax Programming

Microsoft developed a new technology called Atlas for Ajax, which allows browsers to integrate with ASP. NET at will. In this column, we will explain that the architecture of Atlas has made it easier for users to have a better understanding of Atlas in their development work.

What isAtlas?

Microsoft claims that Atlas aims to integrate client program scripts into ASP. NET on servers to provide a comprehensive development platform.

The Atlas platform consists of two parts: client and server. For the client, it has the following features:

• Object-oriented compatible Java language API.Developers with. NET development experience are very familiar with their object-oriented design.
• Automatic browser compatibility. Technically, no special code is required to run multiple browsers.
• Client APIs and components provide rich user interface features, such as drag and drop operations. You can add these features to the HTML controller with little or no code required.
• The function declaration module developed by the client program is similar to the function declaration syntax of the ASP. NET service controller.

Atlas further expands Ajax by integrating with the server layer. Such extensions include automatic control using network services and ASP. NET network servers and the generation of scripts necessary for the Atlas client. Finally, Visual Studio ide may be applied to the Atlas-based development process.

JavascriptKey

A key goal of Atlas is to simplify client programming. Javascript promotes development standards for network customers, but it also creates barriers for skilled construction of robust applications in other languages.

Atlas contains a set of JavaScript libraries that provide everything necessary to create client-based network applications. Microsoft describes these libraries as a subset of the ASP. NET system. This method hides many complicated things from developers.

The API makes it easy for developers to use the script library, which uses the hierarchy or service layering method described below to build network client applications.

• Browser compatibility layer:Provides cross-compatibility for most browsers and eliminates the need to read and write special browser scripts.
• Core Services:It includes Java classes, namespaces, event processing, inheritance, data types, and Object serialization extended programming. It makes the. NET development technology that people are very familiar with can be applied to network client programming.
• Basic Class Library:The basic class library contains basic components such as the string constructor, compiler, timer, and tracker.
• Network Layer:Promote communication between HTTP and Ajax methods. Manage asynchronous remote calls and hide complexity with just a few lines of script code.
• User Interface Layer:Includes client actions, user interface components, and data binding performance
• Control Layer:These special Atlas controls for network client development may include: data restrictions, controls, Atlas actions (provided by the user interface layer), such as drag and drop. These controls include automatic completion of text packages, data restriction control, and navigation control.
• Declarative program:The powerful declarative program module facilitates the generation of custom Atlas components. It follows the same method as ASP. NET Server Control.

On the server side, it provides security services with ASP. NET features such as descriptions, roles, membership qualifications, and personalized and global network services. Atlas contains many controllers similar to ASP. NET services. These controllers can send all necessary client Atlas Java code. In addition, the Atlas service controller can use Java to generate an atlas response.

Download the Atlas Installer

The Atlas platform is a comprehensive development environment with many features. It may be difficult for beginners to learn it. In order to understand its internal architecture to external encapsulation, the best way is to practice using sample code or compile your own code. The first step is to download and run the Atlas Installation File.

Installing Atlas is as easy as downloading and running the Windows Installation File (. MSI file. As with the Visual Studio template installation, you will be prompted whether Atlas supports IIS instances. By default, Atlas is installed in the following path:

C: \ Program Files \ Microsoft ASP. NET \ Atlas \ v2.0.50727 \ Atlas

The Atlas set is named Microsoft. Web. Atlas. dll, which contains a client program file consisting of the Atlas client script library. If Visual Studio is used and these templates have been installed, the Atlas components can be obtained through the client IDE's intelliisense.

Let's review the Ajax example that was rewritten using the Atlas platform in last week's article. The script program is like this in list A. It allows users to insert text in the text box and allows users to click a link to display matching data in the standard SQL Server northwind database.

Key points on this page:

• The Atlas script manager controls the Atlas processing process. It provides page development and control development functions, and it provides some refresh, growth update and other functions. Its enablepartialrendering attribute allows the customer to specify whether a part of page stack tasks are performed.
• The atlasupdatepanel controller allows customers to stack some pages and is activated in the scriptmanager controller. The data contained in the contenttemplate element is displayed. The trigger element specifies the reason for triggering a stack event. The trigger element is associated with the control event. When the control value changes in the instance and the event changes (such as the selected link), the trigger also changes accordingly.
• The sqldatasource element is used to define the data source. It is referenced in the click link event and used for the gridview controller assembly.

WebAnother method of development

Atlas is the result of Microsoft's entry into the Ajax waters field. It provides everything necessary to build a powerful Web client-based application based on the core features of Ajax combined with the ASP. NET Framework Design. When ASP. NET is not required, it is easy to use ASP. net service control and web services to respond to user operations. Next week, we will further explain the different Atlas components that can be used.