Ajax/Web Application Development

I am trying to research different Ajax/Comet technologies, but there is so much disparate information and crossover, that I am having trouble classifying them according to my needs. This blog is an attempt to create a classification of the different Ajax/Comet development tools available. I am just going to throw some things out there and see what evolves...

General technologies:

• Ajax - A method of asynchronous communication between a browser and server that enables parts of DHTML pages to be updated without a full page refresh.
• Comet - A method of communication between a browser and server that enables a communication channel to be kept open so a server can continually update the browser without client-side requests.

Javascript widget/component libraries:

• Dojo - Client side javascript communicates with [arbitrary server-side code?]. Consists of a Javascript library with several window controls and effects. Supports Ajax.
• DHTML Goodies - Client side javascript communicates with arbitrary server-side code. Cascade/Tile Windows!
• Prototype Windows - similar to Dojo and DHTML Goodies. Built on Prototype and script.aculo.us.
• Rico - similar to Dojo and DHTML Goodies, except no windows. Built on Prototype.
• Yahoo UI - Client side javascript librar with several window controls and effects. Very complete set of controls and offers some smooth animation effects. Supports Ajax.
• DWT - similar to Dojo and DHTML Goodies. Modeled after Eclipse SWT.
• Kabuki AjaxTK - client developer toolkit for Javascript widgets. Uses DWT. Created by Zimbra.

Frameworks:

• GWT - Google Web Toolkit. A Java library that allows a developer to create a rich browser application entirely in Java code. Translates the Java code into DHTML, XML, and Javascript. Supports Ajax.
• Echo2 - A complete IDE and code library that allows a developer to create a rich browser application. Similar to GWT in that you develop entirely in [language?], and this is translated to [javascript, dhtml, xml?]. Supports Ajax and Comet.
• OpenLazlo - Code in Javascript, compile to Flash.
• Zimbra - ??
• jMaki - a framework that allows you to wrap javascript widgets in jsp tags. Plugins available for Netbeans and Eclipse. Currently has support for some Dojo, Yahoo UI, and Prototype widgets, but you can create your own. Also provides full access to the html and javascript. (samples seem very slow)
• ZK - framework that utilizes ZUML to develop web based GUI's. No Javascript or Ajax knowledge required.
• Struts - A servlet-based Java framework that implements the MVC2 pattern. Consists of the architectural components to implement MVC2 and some additional taglibs that implement special html-based controls. Ajax can be implemented with struts, as Ajax can be used with servlets, but it is not really applicable to say that Struts supports Ajax.
• Pushlets - A servlet-based Java framework that implements event-based server-side push communication with a browser. A communication channel is kept open between the browser and server so that a server can update the browser continually without a request. Don't know if Ajax is responsible for the communication channel.
• Ruby on Rails - What are these and why are they so special?

... will update as your comments come in.

I am going to start breaking these up into frameworks, widget/component libraries, ...