FLEX rocks! [would like a Flex Forum]

[Danko]

This awsam new technology will deffinitely change the web programming!
So I think it deserves it's own forum.. ;-)

Flex Example Applications: http://www.adobe.com/devnet/flex/index.html?tab:samples=1

I did a little testing - and I am amazed with every single thing that I discover!

Integration of your custom Actionscript 3 classes is great (link: my background test (http://dkozar.com/flex/bg_anim/)).

[evildrummer]

post in guidelines and suggestions for it, I would actually say Have maybe even two, one for flex and one for AS3 as that would prepare for F9

[senocular]

moved to guidelines and suggestions

[tpspoons]

I went to download the trial and find out more about flex... but the adobe site seems to be abit spastic at the moment...

Could you give me a quick run-down on what flex actually does?

[senocular]

From Adobe:
"What is Flex?

The Flex application framework consists of MXML, ActionScript 3.0, and the Flex class library. Developers use MXML to declaratively define the application user interface elements and use ActionScript for client logic and procedural control. Developers write MXML and ActionScript source code using the Adobe Flex Builder™ IDE or a standard text editor."

Essentially you have two parts to Flex, you have the client-side part which is a Flash-like development tool called Flex Builder (based on Eclipse) for creating SWFs, and an optional (or alternative in some respects) server-side tool, Flex Data Services, which essentially provides data connectivity and allows for dynamic compiling of Flex-based applications. When most people talk about Flex, its usually about Flex Builder (with or without the server side component)

Unlike Flash, Flex Builder is more like Dreamweaver in that you have a design view and a code view. The code view shows the "source code" of your design view in MXML (pronounced "maximal") - an extensible markup language used to define and layout your application. And application is a key word here since Flex is designed to build rich internet applications (RIAs), not create pretty pictures or animations like Flash. In fact Flex has no drawing tools nor does it have a timeline. You essentially only have components - things like form elements and charts (if you get the charting components). Though this may seem restrictive, Flex *really* makes it a lot easier to develop these form based applications when compared to the Flash approach. The way MXML is designed, its easy to connect to web services and integrate scripting into your on screen objects using Flex.

So, if you're into RIAs using Flash, Flex is for you, whether its just using Flex Builder or Flex Builder and the server-side component, it pretty much bests Flash for this kind of stuff. Of course, that being said (and given some of the comparisons listed earlier), Flex will not and does not intend to replace Flash. It's simply another tool for creating SWFs - a tool whose focus is RIAs, something Flash is not really built well for.

[tpspoons]

Thanks :D

[Danko]

Flex is a framework for building Flash applications (played by Flash player 9) composed of controls (just like ASP.NET) which can be programmed declaratively and visualy.

Declaratively means that you just mark-up the control in the XML file (called "MXML" file by Macromedia), so when the application is initialized - the constructor of the control is executed automatically (without need to script "Button btn = new Button()" etc.)

Visually means the existance of a design view in which you can drag & drop controls from toolbox on the canvas; you can also adjust their properties from that view. The coresponding XML is automatically changed.

When working with Flex, usually you want to have a full screen Flash applet (100% x 100%), but you can do smaller applets as a part of a more compley html page.

The Flex - outside world integration is superb. The example: YUI - FLEX integration (http://examples.adobe.com/flex2/inproduct/sdk/hybridstore/hybridstore.html)).

When creating Flex app, there are many of already known approaches - like styling and theming. You can use CSS style sheets (specially formatted), but the main difference is that these sheets and all other assets (images etc.) are embedded into the main Flash file when compiled. So, by deploying your app, you get one main Flash file + HTML host page (containing Flash sniffer etc.) + few Javascript and swf files. The consequence of this "applet approach" is a pretty robust application. Mainly because you don't have to deal with browser problems anymore.:thumb:

You can deploy (some of) your source code with the application, and that code is visible by right-clicking on the Flex app and selecting "View source". Try this on demo apps - you will be amazed by the clarity of code!

[Danko]

On the server-side you can have almost anything - you don't have to use Flex Data Services.

I find the web service approach the best for connecting Flex with server - side.
The web service can be hosted by ASP.NET, PHP, Coldfusion, Java etc.

Basically you transfer simple objects and object collections between client and the server; these objects contain values in their properties. They are called DTOs (Data Transfer Objects).

Believe me - it works great! :-)

[tpspoons]

Finished downloading... Now I'm installing it.

See if its as good as you say it is

[senocular]

you can also get a sample of it (MXML at least) at http://try.flex.org
They have a form there where you can type MXML in and compile it dynamically. They also have some examples you can load in via drop-down menus. Might be something worth checking out as you download.

[tpspoons]

thanks :D

edit: well its finished installing... il start experimenting now.

[kirupa]

Forums are created based on the amount of tutorials written for that topic on kirupa.com. While Flex is cool, it is too early to have a forum for it.

:)

[Krilnon]

Going back to the topic… I wouldn't mind a Flex forum, but at least in my case, the ActionScript forum has been more than adequate for the questions that I've had. At the moment, there aren't any AS3 or MXML tutorials on the main site, and usually that's something that Kirupa considers before making a new forum.

Edit: It looks like I took a bit too long to type this post ;)

[tpspoons]

You made a flash 8 forum before a whole lot of tutorials came out (were there any?).

[Krilnon]

Adding a Flash 8 forum to a forum that already has forums for Flash 5, 6, and 7 is quite different than adding a forum for a product that doesn't have a previous version with tutorials or a forum already.

[senocular]

ok, there's your answer, Danko. Make some tutorials :)

[kirupa]

I don't really remember those details :P Flash 8 tutorials were something that I was either in the process of writing or already had unfinished tutorials written for. I don't have plans for writing Flex tutorials, but instead will focus on writing AS3 tutorials when Flash 9 comes out.

So, why do I not want to write Flex tutorials? The reason is that I write better tutorials on programs and languages that I actually use on a regular basis. I *could* write Flex tutorials, but they would be nothing more than re-hashes of what you already find on the web. The tutorials won't have anything unique, nor will they contain any on-the-job tricks that make the tutorials on this site more interesting.

[JoshuaJonah]

this is awesome: http://www.onyx-vj.com/demo/

[tpspoons]

Do you know any other good flex resaurce/ tutorial sites?

[senocular]

flex.org is the big one. You can probably check out MXNA on adobe for related blogs which tend to reference other sites (or have tips of their own)

[Danko]

Unfortunatelly, no time for tutorials.. :x

Can you then move this thread back to Flash 8 forum (or better - Flash 9/AS3)?

btw. there are tutorials on the Adobe Flex Examples site (http://www.adobe.com/devnet/flex/index.html?tab:samples=1) -> just right click on each Flex application and choose "View source".

[ceetah]

just make a FLEX forum!!!
so everybody can exchange ideas, because there are no other places

[SlowRoasted]

Wow, chill out bro:look:

[Danko]

It seems there's no place for new technologies here :(

(info: Flex is 2.5 years old technology)

[SlowRoasted]

There is a place for them, you just have to start writing tutorials first. Dunno why people are having a hard time figuring that out.

[DDD]

Demand and tutorials is what drives a new forum. If you want it, create the buzz. If only 10 people want a forum out of 10k members that really doesnt make too much sense. For that matter you should ask questions and create buzz in the flash forums that see the bulk of our traffic.

[Stratification]

So, is there a specific topic people would like to see a tutorial on? I'm pretty heavily using Flex, and haven't been to Kirupa as often lately since there's not a huge amount of discussion about it. I could probably do some tutorials if there were specific needs though.

[tpspoons]

You could start with a 'Using the HTTPService component' Tut :D

[Stratification]

That's a thought, the HTTPService and Binding elements of Flex are really compelling. Combine it with the layout engine and you've got some serious fast prototyping. I'll have to think about how to put it together in a way that doesn't just reproduce the info that is already out there.