Responding to User Actions and Events

Abstract

Events are the stuff of magic in web applications. Plain old HTML and forms just don’t cut it when you’re trying to create an advanced user interface. It’s archaic to fill out a form, click save, and then wait for the entire document (and all its overhead) to reload just to reveal a tiny little change hidden somewhere in the overall page. When you use your web application it should react in a fluid and unobtrusive way, just like your desktop applications have always done. Giving your web application a more desktop-application-like feel isn’t revolutionary, but it does require looking at things differently. With a little ingenuity and forethought, you can provide a desktop-application-like experience with minimal effort, minimal cost, and minimal extra time—but you need to understand a few things about how your browser interacts with you.