This book is meant for Web professionals with background in HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. The related texts HTML & XHTML: The Complete Reference and JavaScript: The Complete Reference are considered background for the material presented in this work. Where possible, the content and examples have been made as accessible as possible to the widest range of readers.

A few appendixes provide some background material for those looking to
jump straight into Ajax. However, by my experience teaching this material for the past two years, I know readers will find that whatever order they approach mastering client-side Web development, foundational work will eventually be required for full enjoyment.

Ajax The Complete Reference