XMLHttpRequest Object

The XMLHttpRequest object is used to exchange data with a server behind the scenes.

The XMLHttpRequest object is a developer's dream, because you can:

Update the webpage without reloading it
Request data from the server after the page has loaded
Receive data from the server after the page has loaded
Send data to the server in the background

To learn more about the XMLHttpRequest object, please study our XML DOM Tutorial.

XMLHttpRequest Example

When you type a character in the input field below, an XMLHttpRequest is sent to the server - suggestions for names are returned (from a file on the server):

| Type a letter in the input field: First letter <br> Suggestions: |

Creating an XMLHttpRequest Object

All modern browsers (IE7+, Firefox, Chrome, Safari, and Opera) have a built-in XMLHttpRequest object.

The syntax for creating an XMLHttpRequest object:

Older versions of Internet Explorer (IE5 and IE6) use an ActiveX object:

In the next chapter, we will use the XMLHttpRequest object to retrieve XML information from the server.

❮ Xml Dom Advanced Xml Server ❯