In Web architecture, in which situations is it generally a bad idea to use AJAX and partial page updates?

Introduction / Context:
AJAX can significantly improve user experience by enabling partial page updates and asynchronous server calls. However, using AJAX everywhere is not always a good design choice. This question asks you to identify scenarios where AJAX should be avoided or used with great care.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• We are building Web applications that may or may not rely on JavaScript.
• Some pages have static content or rely on search engine optimization and bookmarking.
• We are evaluating whether AJAX is appropriate in such contexts.
• The focus is on drawbacks of AJAX, not just its advantages.

Concept / Approach:
AJAX relies on JavaScript and asynchronous requests. If users disable JavaScript, AJAX features fail. AJAX heavy pages can be harder to index by search engines and can break simple bookmarking and back button behavior if not designed carefully. For very simple static pages, introducing AJAX adds complexity with no real benefit. Therefore, it is better to avoid AJAX when you need maximum compatibility without JavaScript, straightforward bookmarking, and simple content delivery.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: List typical limitations of AJAX, such as dependency on JavaScript and potential issues with browser history and SEO. Step 2: Recognise that static content pages do not gain much from partial updates but may suffer from added complexity. Step 3: Understand that heavy reliance on client side scripting can reduce accessibility for older devices or strict environments. Step 4: Choose the option that best summarises pages where AJAX is not suitable: those needing no JavaScript dependency, simple bookmarking, and strong search engine visibility.

Verification / Alternative check:
You can verify this reasoning by examining best practice guides. They usually suggest that AJAX should not be used for critical navigation or when content must be fully visible to search crawlers. Progressive enhancement is recommended, where basic functionality works without AJAX and advanced features are added for capable clients.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Option b: Describes exactly the scenarios where AJAX shines: improved interactivity and fewer full page refreshes.

Option c: Administrative dashboards are often a good match for AJAX because they can benefit from frequent partial updates without full reloads.

Option d: Asynchronous form validation is one of the classic uses of AJAX, so avoiding it there would remove a major benefit.

Common Pitfalls:
A common pitfall is treating AJAX as a universal solution and forgetting about users who disable JavaScript, search engine crawlers, or crawlers that do not execute scripts. Another mistake is to implement core navigation entirely through AJAX calls, which can break the back button, bookmarking, and deep linking if the developer does not manage the browser history correctly.

Final Answer:
AJAX should generally be avoided on pages that must work without JavaScript, contain simple static content that gains no benefit from partial updates, or depend heavily on bookmarking, back button behavior, and search engine indexing.