Basic PHP and AJAX

Question

We have a large PHP system that I am changing to OOP and want to use AJAX to update the web pages for logged in users. I am completely self taught and good on HTML, CSS and PHP with a basic Javascript understanding.

Trying to learn AJAX with PHP is defeating me. After trying a self made set of scripts to test AJAX which wouldn't work I then went to the Internet for examples and can't get any to work. This is on my development Mac running MAMP and using my host where we keep the current system.

My question is, does anybody have a simple 'hello world' set of HTML and PHP scripts that they know work which I could try to confirm that I can run something known.

Many Thanks Colin

Answer 1

If you are going to use AJAX I would recommend using jQuery as well. This greatly simplifies the process, is tested cross-browser and has many easy to use wrapper functions.

Its really as easy as creating a PHP page called hello.php

<?php
  echo "Hello World";
?>

Then in your main page you will need to grab the jQuery library and hook it up to the document ready event.

<script type="text/javascript" src="http://ajax.googleapis.com/ajax/libs/jquery/1.4.4/jquery.min.js"></script>
<script type="text/javascript">
     $(function(){
       $.get("hello.php", function(data){
           alert(data);
       });
    });
</script>

This in essence is the simplest AJAX hello world tutorial I know :)