Imagine you need to create an Ajax application, and you’re scratching your head in frustration since you don’t understand prototype.js, you think using ASP.NET Ajax feels like building a car with scissors and paperclips and you don’t know enough Java to use GWT. If this is your problem, Gaia Ajax Widgets could solve your problem: Gaia abstracts away JavaScript, feels like normal ASP.NET, works on both ASP.NET and Mono—and it’s free software.

Gaia Ajax Widgets GPL version is complete and also comes with support (if you register) but you must purchase a commercial license from Frost Innovation to be able to develop proprietary applications with it. Read the details here: Gaia License Explained

Gaia Ajax Widgets puts the fun back into Ajax

Gaia Ajax Widgets is a GPL licensed library (a commercial license available from the company behind it). It is a 100% Hijax library, which means that you don’t need to write JavaScript at all to use it. You use components as if they where Qt Widgets, and you declare which events you wish to handle by setting the proper handlers.

Before you can start using it, you must download Gaia Ajax Widgets. For this tutorial, I will be using MonoDevelop running on GNU/Linux and the GPL version of Gaia Ajax Widgets.

One word of warning though! The download link above is for the Q2 2007 release of Gaia Ajax Widgets. If you register at AjaxWidgets.com you will receive update notifications and have an easier way to get updated versions of Gaia. You will also be able to post in our forums and get free support. Though you’re not forced to register, AjaxWidgets encourages you to do so. AjaxWidgets promises to only send you 8 to 10 emails per year with “extras” in the form of links to tutorials, videos, etc.

Creating a new project

Create new project

Create a new Web Project in MonoDevelop and add a reference to the Gaia.WebWidgets.dll file, which should be underneath the Library folder of the Gaia package.

Add a reference to Gaia

Default.aspx

Then, open your Default.aspx web form and register the Gaia Widgets assembly using the following code:

<%@ Register Assembly="Gaia.WebWidgets" Namespace="Gaia.WebWidgets" TagPrefix="gaia">

And add a new Gaia Button using the following code:

<gaia:Button id="button1" runat="server" Text="Show Window" OnClick="onButtonClick" />

Also add a Gaia Window like this:

<gaia:Window id="window1" runat="server" Visible="false">Hello World!</gaia:Window>