AJAX / XML first Version implemented.
Along with the blog the very first AJAX / XML / XSLT integration of Vision appears to be successful meaning further development can proceed.
Try picking a survey from the drop down - all of the data is returned from Vision (on our STAGING server) and rendered with XSLT on the client web browser. All of this is done by hosting 3 files on this server.
So what does all of this mean?
Traditionally survey tools either require you to install a package on your machine or to go to a URL hosted by the survey company themselves (including Vision).
The developing XML api change this. It allows you to include your Vision surveys ANYWHERE on your website, this means if you want to keep your existing branding and URL then you can.
How does it do this?
AJAX (Asynchronus Javascript and XML) allows a client to make remote web requests and retrieve content as XML (eXtensible Markup Language). This content can then be manipulated and rendered within a client system or web page.
Unfortunately AJAX only allows content to be requested from a matching domain - this means technically you woud need Vision installed on your webserver, however there is a workaround.
Tell me more!
By using a Web Proxy Script (currently written in ASP however a PHP versison is being developed) uploaded to your server it allows AJAX to make requests to your server. Your server then forwards the request to Vision to return the XML content.
This means all you need is a copy of the Vision javascript API file, the customisable XSLT to turn the XML into HTML and the ASP page. Upload all three to your server and enter your Vision Client ID and away you go!
Sounds good, what next?
As this first test appears to work, we are now working on developing the interface to return appropriate content when a response is submitted. You may notice the submit button is hidden mainly as it currently redirects you to the Vision "Thank you" page.
Once this is implemented we hope to have our first Generally Available BETA.
If you want to know more please e-mail it@e-rm.org.
