New ASP.NET AJAX Control Toolkit Released: Version 1.0.10920.0
Microsoft released version 1.0.10920.0 of the ASP.NET AJAX Control Toolkit on CodePlex, featuring over 1000 bug fixes and improvements to controls like Calendar, AutoComplete, and Slider. Learn about the ToolkitScriptManager that boosts performance by 80%.
What's New in This Release
Version 1.0.10920.0 Highlights
- 1000+ Bug Fixes: Over a thousand bugs corrected, many contributed by the community in this open-source Microsoft project hosted on CodePlex
- Calendar Control Improvements: Enhanced date picker with better localization and accessibility
- AutoComplete Enhancements: Improved performance and customization options for autocomplete suggestions
- Slider Control Updates: Smoother drag operations and better browser compatibility
- Community-Driven Development: Practical open-source project with contributions from developers worldwide
About the AJAX Control Toolkit
The ASP.NET AJAX Control Toolkit is a collection of controls that, together with ASP.NET AJAX Extensions, simplifies building web pages that leverage AJAX benefits without writing complex JavaScript.
Key Features
- • Drag-and-drop controls in Visual Studio
- • No JavaScript knowledge required
- • Rich UI components (accordion, tabs, modal popups)
- • Animation and effects framework
- • Input validation and masking
Popular Controls
- • AutoComplete - Type-ahead suggestions
- • Calendar - Date picker with localization
- • ModalPopup - Dialog boxes
- • Accordion - Collapsible panels
- • Slider - Range input controls
Performance Boost: ToolkitScriptManager
80% Performance Improvement
During a Microsoft Colombia event, an important recommendation emerged: use the ToolkitScriptManager instead of the standard ScriptManager from ASP.NET AJAX Extensions for dramatic performance improvements.
How It Works
The ToolkitScriptManager optimizes script delivery:
- 1. Combines multiple scripts into a single file before sending to client
- 2. Removes whitespace and comments from JavaScript
- 3. Minifies code resulting in significantly smaller .js files
- 4. Reduces HTTP requests by bundling dependencies
Usage Example
<!-- Replace standard ScriptManager -->
<asp:ScriptManager ID="ScriptManager1" runat="server" />
<!-- With ToolkitScriptManager for 80% faster load -->
<ajaxToolkit:ToolkitScriptManager
ID="ToolkitScriptManager1"
runat="server"
CombineScripts="true" />Upgrading to the Latest Version
Step 1: Download from CodePlex
Visit the Atlas Control Toolkit project page on CodePlex and download version
1.0.10920.0
Step 2: Update References
In your Visual Studio project, remove the old toolkit reference and add the new DLL:
Right-click References → Add Reference → Browse
Select: AjaxControlToolkit.dll (version 1.0.10920.0)Step 3: Verify Version
Confirm you're using the latest version by:
- • Check the assembly version in project references:
1.0.10920 - • Look at the Toolbox panel icons—updated controls have refreshed icons
- • Test controls to ensure bug fixes are active
Step 4: Replace ScriptManager
Don't forget to upgrade to ToolkitScriptManager for the 80% performance boost!
Why Update Matters
If you're already using the AJAX Control Toolkit, updating is essential:
- • Bug fixes: Resolve issues that might be affecting your users
- • Performance: ToolkitScriptManager dramatically improves load times
- • Browser compatibility: Better support for Firefox, Safari, and IE7
- • Community contributions: Benefit from fixes submitted by developers worldwide
- • Stability: Production-ready release with extensive testing
Modern Context: From AJAX Toolkit to Modern JavaScript
The ASP.NET AJAX Control Toolkit was groundbreaking in 2007, but the web has evolved:
Server-side controls generated JavaScript, enabling AJAX without JavaScript knowledge
jQuery and jQuery UI replaced server-side AJAX controls with client-side libraries
Angular, React, Vue revolutionized web development with component-based architecture
• ASP.NET Core + React/Angular/Vue: API backend, JS frontend
• Blazor: C# in browser using WebAssembly (no JavaScript needed—full circle!)
• Native browser APIs: Fetch, async/await, Web Components
• Build tools: Webpack, Vite handle script bundling and minification
Lessons That Still Apply
- • Script bundling and minification: ToolkitScriptManager's approach now standard in Webpack/Vite
- • Component reusability: AJAX controls pioneered ideas now in React/Vue components
- • Progressive enhancement: AJAX allowed rich experiences without full page reloads
- • Community-driven development: CodePlex model preceded GitHub's dominance
- • Performance optimization: Reducing payload size still critical for web performance
Key Takeaways
1. 1000+ bug fixes - significant stability and compatibility improvements
2. ToolkitScriptManager provides 80% performance boost - through script combining and minification
3. Community-driven open source - Microsoft's early embrace of collaborative development
4. Server-side AJAX was revolutionary - enabled rich UIs without JavaScript expertise
5. Core concepts persist - bundling, minification, components still fundamental today