Getting database info without refreshing page?

[DamonDNG]

I know PHP and MySQL programming a little bit, and I've got a web page that changes phone numbers and address info when the user clicks on (onSelect) the name within a drop down.

The problem is, the whole page has to refresh when using PHP, and I think the same is true of ASP.

Is there a way, through javascript or vbscript or some other way to get the database info ON THE FLY without having to refresh the page?

I know this can be done through Java, but learning Java has been difficult for me.

I've seen a JavaScript page that sort of "tapped into" real Java commands without having to create an entire program or applet, but of course, I didnt take note of the URL, so I'm lost trying to find it again...

Does any one have any ideas?

[Khalid Ali]

Only option you may have is to write an applet,

otherwise implementing jaa directly in a webpage will limit it to NS browsers only.

You have to keep in mind the fact that a browser is on client machine where as a database could be anywhere in the world linked with a webserver.
The only possible way you can contact database is using an HTTP request.(I only know of java aplets that creates a virtual tunnel between the webserver and a client page)

I hope it made some sense.