AJAX is a unique method that simulates the richness en speed of a desktop application, while dealing with a web application.
An AJAX-application eliminates the start-stop-start-stop way of interaction on the Web by introducing an intermediair between user and server.
The AJAX-engine enables asynchronous user interaction with the application, independent of the communication with the server. As a result the user does not need to stare at a blank screen while the clock ticks, awaiting server activity.
AJAX is not so much a single technology, but rather a series of techniques that work closely together. AJAX uses XHTML and CSS for standard presentations, Document Object Model for dynamic screens and interactions, XML and XSLT for information exchange and updates, XMLHttpRequest for asynchronous data retrieval and JavaScript to glue it all together.
18-08-2006