11.13. Summary

This release of the Microsoft AJAX libraries introduces some compelling new features that should interest all web developers.

Prior to this release, I did not recommend the Microsoft AJAX libraries as a general-purpose JavaScript framework because jQuery was better documented, better supported, and easier to use.

However, the great news is that in this release the Microsoft AJAX libraries are integrated very nicely with jQuery. So, you don't have to make this choice anymore; you have the best of both worlds.

It is worth considering what Microsoft's motivation behind open sourcing the AJAX libraries is. Does this indicate that Microsoft is starting to pull out from its development? I'm not sure, and perhaps this is unlikely given all the recent enhancements, so I spoke to James Senior who runs web evangelism for Microsoft (check out his blog at www.jamessenior.com for some great Microsoft Ajax tutorials):

"Microsoft is not pulling away from development; we have a whole team actively working on this project. We wanted to open source the library to enable the project to innovate and progress in new ways. Innovation isn't limited to a small group of people, which is why allowing a community to contribute and guide the project is better for the progression of the technology."

One thing for certain, however, is that there are some fantastic features in this release that should interest all web developers, whatever platform they are developing for.