"AJAX is allowing developers to make web-based applications function more like desktop ones," said AJAXWorld Conference 2006 speaker John Andrews (pictured), President of Evans Data Corp, as Evans - which has been tracking AJAX since it appeared on the scene - announced recently the results of its Spring 2006 survey of 400 managers and developers.

Close to half of developers surveyed, Andrews saud, stated that they were already working with AJAX or plan to do so in the coming year. REST (Representational State Transfer) use is rising as well.

The Evans Data survey found a 37% increase in respondents implementing or considering REST, with one out of four surveyed saying that they are considering REST-Based Web Services as a simpler alternative to SOAP-based services.

Other findings from the Spring 2006 Survey of almost 400 managers and developers:

Reuse is rising. Three out of ten survey respondents are saying the ability to reuse the service is the greatest cost advantage to Web Services. The number of respondents sharing Web Services with two or more business units is up 20% since the last survey.

Despite rampant industry speculation to the contrary, the adoption of the Java platform is poised for a significant increase. Three out of four companies expect to be working with the Java Platform by next year, a 12% jump from current levels.

Evans Data Corp President, John Andrews, will be speaking at AJAXWorld Conference and Expo October 3-5 in Santa Clara. Evans Data will be sharing much of what has been learned through its survey with conference attendees.

• Survey: "Developers in Emerging Markets Are Embracing AJAX"