ASP.NET Ajax Toolkit

The ASP.NET AJAX Control Toolkit is an open-source project hosted on CodePlex. It is built upon the Microsoft ASP.NET AJAX framework and offers a collection of controls that are specifically designed for ASP.NET Web Forms application development. These controls are created with the intention of being familiar and easily utilized by ASP.NET Web Forms developers.

With the Ajax Control Toolkit, developers can utilize the power of Ajax in their ASP.NET Web Forms applications. This toolkit simplifies the process by allowing developers to drag and drop the Toolkit controls from the Visual Studio Toolbox directly onto an ASP.NET Web Forms page. This visual approach streamlines the integration of Ajax-enabled functionality into the application, enabling developers to enhance the user experience without requiring extensive coding or technical expertise.

How to Ajax Control Toolkit ?

To get started with the Ajax Control Toolkit, follow these steps:

Begin by downloading the appropriate version of the Ajax Control Toolkit from CodePlex. It is recommended to obtain the latest version for compatibility purposes.

1. Once the download is complete, locate the compressed file and extract its contents. To do this, right-click on the file and choose the "Extract All" option from the context menu.
2. Launch Visual Studio, and create a new ASP.NET Web Forms project or website. Open the Default.aspx file in the Visual Studio editor.
3. Next, create a new Toolbox tab by right-clicking on the Toolbox panel and selecting the "Add Tab" option. Give the new tab a suitable name, such as "Ajax Control Toolkit".
4. Right-click beneath the newly created tab, and select "Choose Items..." from the menu. A dialog box titled "Choose Toolbox Items" will appear.
5. Within the "Choose Toolbox Items" dialog, click the "Browse" button and navigate to the folder where you extracted the Ajax Control Toolkit. Locate the AjaxControlToolkit.dll file and select it.
6. Click the "OK" button to close the "Choose Toolbox Items" dialog, incorporating the Ajax Control Toolkit controls into the Toolbox.

By following these steps, you will have successfully downloaded and integrated the Ajax Control Toolkit into your Visual Studio project. The Toolkit controls will now be accessible within the Toolbox, allowing you to conveniently drag and drop them onto your ASP.NET Web Forms pages for enhanced Ajax functionality.

For more information about how to integrate Ajax Toolkit with your Visual Studio : http://www.asp.net/ajaxlibrary/act.ashx

Conclusion

The ASP.NET AJAX Control Toolkit is an open-source project that extends the capabilities of the Microsoft ASP.NET AJAX framework. It provides a collection of controls specifically designed for ASP.NET Web Forms applications. By utilizing these controls, developers can easily integrate Ajax functionality into their applications through a visual drag-and-drop approach, enhancing the user experience and improving the overall functionality of their web forms.