Recently, I had read an article about Web 2.0.  In this article, the author defined a formula for Web 2.0, which is

AJAX + SOA + OSS = Web 2.0

AJAX = Asynchronous JavaScript and XML

SOA = Service Oriented Architecture

OSS = Open Source Software

I am ok with the above formula, except for the open source software bit.  Note that I am not against OSS, but inspired by.NET and Java technologies.  I agree that OSS provides common ground for everybody to build applications/frameworks in a quick and efficient manner.  However, commercial software (closed source software) is not at any point inferior to OSS.  Also, they are so reliable and scalable.  Okay, that’s a separate story.  From my point of view, we should consider the industry standard specifications and technologies.

What are the things that make the difference between Web (1.0!) and Web 2.0?

Web 2.0 is more about the changes in usability or interactivity of web than technologies, because there is no new technology or protocols for Web 2.0.  The paradigm shift happened only due to proper usage XmlHttpRequest and SOAP.  Both these have been existing in the field since the late 90s.  I have used XmlHttpRequest object for displaying “Please wait…” progress indication message in web sites in the pre-ajax period. In these periods, most of us developed web services with an object-orientation mind set.

Examples of differences are:

Additionally, web services make things better and interoperable.

Here, I’ve shown my first level basic list of technologies behind Web 2.0.

1. XmlHttpRequest 
2.  SOAP
3. Patterns and models for Web 2.0 application

Surprised?

We can use the term AJAX, by XmlHttpRequest with some design models and patterns.  Otherwise, people in this ajax world will shoot us.

Okay, let us explore more about the first two points before getting into the world AJAX in succeeding articles.