Google to host JavaScript libraries for developers

Google this week launched its Google AJAX Libraries API, enabling developers to use the company's global infrastructure to host and serve major JavaScript libraries.
"What it is really about is being able to make life easier and faster for developers," said Dion Almaer, Google engineer for developer programs.
The API serves as a content distribution network and loading architecture. Using the Google AJAX API Loader method, an application gains access to open-source JavaScript libraries, including script.aculo.us, dojo, jQuery, MooTools, and prototype.
Alamaer said the project is just the beginning; Google wants to add more libraries.
"If we see good usage, we can work with browser vendors to automatically ship these libraries. Then, if they see the URLs that we use, they could auto load the libraries, even special JITed (Just In Time) ones, from their local system," said Almaer.
Thus, there would be no network hit at all. The browser could have the IP addresses for the service available to avoid DNS hits. Also, longer lived special browser caches for JavaScript could use the URLs.
"The bottom line, and what I am really excited about, is what this could all mean for Web developers if this happens," he said. "We could be removed of the constant burden of having to re-download our standard libraries all the time."
Google's Web page on the project said the API "takes the pain out of developing mashups in JavaScript while using a collection of libraries."
In addition to hosting libraries, cache headers are set; up-to-date bug fixes are furnished as well. Automatic compression also is featured as part of the project.