My current project is a standard rails application that has primarily utilized HTML without any AJAX. However, I am planning to gradually incorporate "remote" links and support for JS responses to improve the user experience. While I acknowledge that generating JS server side is considered evil by some, I find it convenient, efficient, and beneficial for enhancing the speed and responsiveness of the application, especially with built-in i18n capabilities.
Although opting for a pure JSON approach would result in a lighter solution, it requires significant client-side coding efforts.
Now, let's consider a scenario where users interact with a mailbox within the application. Since the goal is to enable users to perform most actions without reloading the page, the mailbox counter should update dynamically without requiring manual refreshes.
So, the question arises: What is the most effective way to address this challenge?
One potential solution involves using Ember.js for data binding and integrating views from Rails through a handlebars implementation for Ruby. While this approach may offer great functionality, it can be less intuitive for developers. However, leveraging handlebars for ember-specific views while keeping the rest in their original format might streamline the process.
Another option could be utilizing an event system like EventSource and adopting a JS-centric view approach to listen for relevant events. This method typically involves handling JSON objects as events and requires client-side coding for proper execution. Additionally, considering hosting on Heroku, a service like Faye might be necessary for real-time updates. Any suggestions for implementing this effectively?
While the ember.js approach appears more robust, it also seems complex and runs the risk of duplicating efforts across server and client sides.
EDIT:
I came across this article, which provides insights similar to option #2.