Flash Versus Ajax the Better System??

By: Frank J. Lucer

Flash was developed by Macromedia in 1996, making it one of the earliest design and style platforms still in use today. Developers use it to create animations and design and style an interactive encounter for users; ajax, on the other hand, may be loosely categorized as a collection of style methodologies. In contrast to Flash, it isn't vendor-specific.

There are other differences in between the 2 systems. Flash is delivered through a Player that is downloaded as a plugin to your browser; from the client's viewpoint, the process is seamless; the Player is already installed within nearly all existing browsers. Ajax doesn't demand a separate plugin. Instead, it is delivered through design specifications that are already acknowledged by the majority of internet browsers.

So, when creating new applications, which system should you use? Both pose advantages and possible disadvantages, many of which are much less clear-cut than you might believe. Beneath, we'll supply a bird's eye view of both approaches. Our objective is to provide you an objective basis from which to select the most suitable system for your venture.

Advantages And Disadvantages To Using Flash

Flash is universal. As mentioned previously, almost all present internet browsers come with the plugin previously installed. That indicates your apps will perform effortlessly for the majority of users. Its pervasiveness also means the platform will proceed to enjoy solid support, both from the vendor and the designer community.

Another advantage is that various other design solutions produced by the vendor (i.e. Adobe) have been created to integrate Flash. There is a degree of cross-product efficiency, which is convenient if you use these other applications.

One of the drawbacks is that this system takes a significant amount of time to learn. Because it is such a powerful design tool, it includes design characteristics that raise the learning curve. This leads to an additional potential disadvantage: Flash applications can be effective, but only if the programmer is adept with his or her code. Often, apps are developed with inefficient code, which could bring a browser to its knees.

Advantages And Disadvantages To Using AJAX

Ajax is essentially an expansion of recognized internet advancement benchmarks (e.g. JavaScript, HTML, CSS, etc.). Like Flash, this suggests the platform may enjoy continued support in the programmer community.

An edge to utilizing Ajax is that the exchange of data between the user's internet browser and the server on which your website is located is practically seamless. It occurs within the internet browser without interaction from the user; this all but eradicates the need to reload webpages. From the user's viewpoint, the lack of reloading provides a quicker - and far more engaging - encounter.

One of the downsides to utilizing Ajax is that there is no way to sustain the modifications a user starts within the application; the altered page can't be saved to avoid losing the changes. There are techniques to reduce this effect, but the methods lie past the platform itself, and depend largely on the skill and imagination of the programmer.

Is It Necessary To Choose?

A frequent trap for designers is to think they have to choose in between Flash and Ajax when developing vibrant internet apps (RIAs) for a site. In truth, a blended strategy might be appropriate. A few applications are ideal applicants for Flash while others are properly suited for Ajax. Some apps can be created utilizing both platforms.

For example, an app designed with an interactive map and fast info filters might be best-served by marrying the two techniques. The animation section (i.e. interactive map) would be produced with Flash while the filters would be designed with Ajax.

It's important to realize that the two development systems seek to achieve the same end: supplying a vibrant, interesting experience for end users. In that regard, both provide worth

Resist the temptation to dismiss one or the other until you have measured your venture's design and style goals against each of them.