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PHP and MySQL Tutorials:
Learn How Ajax Calls Work with Examples Using jQuery & PHP for Dynamic Web Development.
reading time
Reading Time:
00:09 Minutes
implement time
Implement Time:
00:25 Minutes

Introduction to jQuery Ajax: Where and Why is it Used?

Ajax (Asynchronous JavaScript and XML) is a powerful web development technique used to load data asynchronously without refreshing the webpage. This helps create fast, dynamic, and user-friendly applications. Instead of reloading the entire page every time new data is needed, Ajax fetches the data in the background and updates only specific parts of the webpage.

Where is Ajax used?
  • Form Submissions – Submit forms without reloading the page.
  • Live Search – Display search results as the user types.
  • Real-Time Data Updates – Fetch new data without user intervention.
  • Loading More Content – Infinite scrolling or pagination features.
  • Fetching API Data – Connect to third-party services (e.g., weather updates, social media feeds).

With jQuery Ajax, making these requests becomes simpler and more efficient. jQuery provides multiple Ajax functions that handle data transfer between the client (browser) and server (PHP, Node.js, etc.).

Understanding jQuery Ajax Functions and Syntax

Basic Ajax Call Using jQuery

A simple Ajax request using jQuery follows this structure:

JAVASCRIPT
$.ajax({
	url: 'process.php',
	method: 'POST',
	data: {
		username: 'exampleUser', email: 'user@example.com'
	},
	success: function(response) {
		$('#result').html(response);
	},
	error: function(xhr, status, error) {
		console.error('Error: ' + error);
	}
});
Description of Important Ajax Parameters
ParameterDefault ValueTypeDescription
urlcurrent page URLStringThe URL where the request is sent.
method'GET'StringThe HTTP method (GET, POST, PUT, DELETE, etc.).
data{}PlainObject/StringData to send to the server.
successnullFunctionExecutes when the request is successful.
errornullFunctionExecutes when the request fails.

More jQuery Ajax Options and Their Uses

jQuery provides additional options to customize Ajax requests:

1. headers

Default: {}

Type: PlainObject

Description: Defines custom HTTP headers for the request.

JAVASCRIPT
$.ajax({
	url: 'data.php',
	method: 'GET',
	headers: {
		'Authorization': 'Bearer YOUR_TOKEN',
		'Custom-Header': 'customValue'
	},
	success: function(response) {
		console.log(response);
	}
});
2. mimeType

Default: null

Type: String

Description: Overrides the MIME type sent by the server.

JAVASCRIPT
$.ajax({
	url: 'data.xml',
	method: 'GET',
	mimeType: 'application/xml',
	success: function(response) {
		console.log(response);
	}
});
3. dataType

Default: Intelligent Guess

Type: String

Description: Defines the type of response data (json, xml, html, etc.).

JAVASCRIPT
$.ajax({
	url: 'data.json',
	method: 'GET',
	dataType: 'json',
	success: function(response) {
		console.log(response.name);
	}
});
4. beforeSend

Default: null

Type: Function

Description: Runs before sending the request.

JAVASCRIPT
$.ajax({
	url: 'data.php',
	beforeSend: function() {
		$('#loading').show();
	},
	success: function(response) {
		$('#loading').hide();
	}
});
5. complete

Default: null

Type: Function

Description: Executes after the request is finished (regardless of success or failure).

6. timeout

Default: 0 (no timeout)

Type: Number

Description: Defines request timeout in milliseconds.

JAVASCRIPT
$.ajax({
	url: 'slow-response.php',
	timeout: 5000, // 5 seconds
	success: function(response) {
		console.log(response);
	},
	error: function(xhr, status) {
		if (status === 'timeout') {
			console.error('Request timed out');
		}
	}
});

Using jQuery Ajax with PHP and JSON

Example: Fetching Data from PHP using Ajax

We will send an Ajax request to fetch JSON data from a PHP script.

JavaScript (Frontend)
JAVASCRIPT
$.ajax({
	url: 'getData.php',
	method: 'GET',
	dataType: 'json',
	success: function(response) {
		$('#userInfo').html(
			'Name: ' + response.name + '<br>Email: ' + response.email
		);
	},
	error: function(xhr, status, error) {
		console.error('Error: ' + error);
	}
});
PHP (getData.php)
PHP
<?php
	header('Content-Type: application/json');

	$data = array(
		'name' => 'John Doe',
		'email' => 'john.doe@example.com'
	);

	echo json_encode($data);
?>
Output on Webpage:
STRUCTURED-TEXT
Name: John Doe
Email: john.doe@example.com

Using done(), fail(), and always() Instead of Callbacks

Using the promise-based syntax makes it more readable:

JAVASCRIPT
$.ajax({
	url: 'getData.php',
	method: 'GET',
	dataType: 'json'
})
.done(function(response) {
	console.log('Success:', response);
})
.fail(function(xhr, status, error) {
	console.error('Error:', error);
})
.always(function() {
	console.log('Request completed.');
});

Tips and Best Practices for jQuery Ajax

Store Ajax Calls in a Variable

This allows you to abort requests if needed.

JAVASCRIPT
var ajaxCall = $.ajax({
	url: 'data.php',
	method: 'GET'
});

// To abort the request
ajaxCall.abort();
Use JSON for Better Performance

JSON is lightweight and faster to parse than XML.

Handle Errors Properly

Always include an error callback or fail() function to handle failures.

Use beforeSend() to Indicate Loading

Show a loading animation while waiting for a response.

Final Thoughts

jQuery Ajax is an essential tool for modern web development, allowing developers to interact with a server without reloading the page. Whether you're fetching dynamic content, submitting forms, or consuming APIs, understanding how to properly configure jQuery Ajax requests ensures a smooth user experience.

By mastering key functions like success, error, dataType, headers, and timeout, you can create efficient, responsive, and optimized web applications.

Always follow best practices, such as storing Ajax calls in variables, handling errors properly, and using JSON over XML, to ensure the best performance.

This guide provides a detailed, step-by-step tutorial to help you get started. Keep experimenting, optimize your Ajax calls, and create better, faster, and more interactive websites!

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