Ajax, for Asynchronous JavaScript and XML, is a collection of web development tools used to create Rich Internet Applications (RIA). Ajax allows web browsers to interact with web servers via small requests and update the loaded web page without actually reloading the entire page after each request. This gives the site an immediate increase in its appearance of interactivity, a significant speed boost, as the web server only has to process much smaller transactions, and a usability edge over repeatedly reloaded static pages.

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Tags: web development tools, Rich Internet Applications, Ajax, usability