ASP.Net AJAX 1.0 enables Web developers to build AJAX-style (Asynchronous JavaScript and XML) Web applications by integrating with the .Net Framework and the Microsoft platform. ASP.Net AJAX is a free framework for building interactive, personalized Web experiences. It functions with the Internet Explorer, Safari, Firefox, and Opera browsers.

Microsoft's AJAX offering first debuted in a preview version in October 2005, and another preview with a Go-Live license, was offered in March 2006. The Go-Live license enables live deployments of the technology.

"Since that timeframe, the team's been working very aggressively to deliver a fully supported 1.0 release as quickly as possible," said Keith Smith, Microsoft group product manager for the Web platform and tools team. A release candidate was offered last month as the prelude to today's general release.

The Microsoft AJAX library, featuring standard JavaScript code running on the browser, and the ASP.Net 2.0 AJAX Extensions, which are server-centric pieces to enable a drag-and-drop developer experience are included as part of ASP.net AJAX 1.0. In a related development, Microsoft on Tuesday is updating its ASP.Net AJAX Control Toolkit, which runs with ASP.Net AJAX 1.0 and features controls for advanced effects such as animation and auto-complete behavior.

Accessible , ASP.Net AJAX 1.0 includes all features of previous versions plus enhanced training capabilities.