The Ajax View JavaScript Instrumentation Proxy is the end result of the work from Microsoft Research. Essentially the tool is designed to act as a HTTP proxy focused on monitoring the performance and behavior of JavaScript applications within Internet Explorer 7, although Ajax View is not limited to just Microsoft’s browser. The Redmond company only recently delivered a public version of Ajax View under an academic and non-commercial use license.

“Ajax View is an HTTP proxy that instruments JavaScript as it’s served to the client based on a set of rules defined by plug-ins. The download includes a plug-in that contains a commented sample instrumentation policy. This design has a couple important effects. [First off] you can customize Ajax View to monitor exactly the JavaScript behavior you’re looking for, whether it’s about performance, or how people navigate through your site. And using Ajax View does not require modification of either the page source or the browser,” explained John Hrvatin, Program Manager, Internet Explorer. (more…)

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ActiveX controls, just like any other example of binary software, tend to evolve. This growth is of course intimately connected with updates introduced to either add new functionality or features, or simply to patch security vulnerabilities. Marc Silbey, IE Program Manager and Steve Herndon, Silverlight Lead Program Manager, have managed to come out with a three step guideline illustrating the best practices associated with ActiveX controls updating. It all starts with making detection logic an integer part of the ActiveX control. Additionally, developers also have to take into account the fact that IE7 in Vista runs by default in Protected Mode, and not automate the update to the point where the user is completely taken out of the equation. (more…)

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