>>XML5 has it, local cursors, that is, and now that MS appears to be shifting its ever so restless gaze away from Silverlight and towards XML5 (will this NEVER end?!?!) we have the promise of getting back at least some of the productivity and ease of use that Fox has had since, oh, early 80's. You'll probably have to wait until 2022 to start using it, though, because that's when W3C estimates the final XML5 specs to be nailed down.
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>Frankly, storing data on client side would be, IMHO, a workaround for poor web engineering.
>Storing on the server has our preference.
Yes, storing data permanently on the client is generally a bad idea. However, storing temporary (cached) data such as lookups for increased speed; storing data locally while disconnected, and storing data locally for buffered cursor manipulation are at least three use cases for local storage that I can think of right of the bat. Hit the server as little as possible -- only when you need additional data or when you are ready to commit changes.