Google courts Ajax developers with Feed APIs

Google's Ajax Feeds API lets developers incorporate data feeds inside JavaScript code

Google has released a new tool that helps developers create so-called mash-up services. 

A mash-up combines data from two or more sources, for instance by displaying rentals listings on a map by combining data from Craigslist.org with Google Maps. 

The new Google Ajax Feeds API lets developers incorporate data feeds inside JavaScript code.

JavaScript is a common programming technique for Web2.0 applications. It is used for services such as Gmail and Digg.

Creating mash-ups in JavaScript is considered a painful task that requires the developer to manually code in things such as server-side proxies.

The Google tool automatically enters the required proxy information and supports all existing feed standards, including multiple versions of the Atom and RSS standards.

While the tool lowers the threshold for users to create mash-ups, bloggers and hobbyists still require a basic knowledge of JavaScript and object-oriented programming to create mash-ups for any service that offers a feed.

They could, for instance, integrate a slideshow of pictures from Picasa web albums on a blog, or create a dynamic blog roll.

Users can sign up for the free tool on Google's AJAX Feed API website.