Rich Internet applications (RIAs) are a new breed of web applications that are capable of doing things such as loading and handling heavy data ten times faster than HTTP, designing great-looking and sophisticated user interfaces that resemble desktop-based applications, and having the possibility of utilizing existing server technology such as Java, that would have never been possible with typical web technologies, such as HTML. Flex 3 is a leading technology for developing RIAs for the Web, as well as for the desktop. This book gives you an insight into, and provides a hands-on experience in, programming in Flex 3 by utilizing your existing knowledge of Java programming.
This book includes comprehensive information on various concepts of Flex 3 and ActionScript 3.0, such as developing simple applications and handling events to creating custom components and events, using RPC services, integration with Java and BlazeDS, styling and formatting, and how to package and deploy Flex applications. Finally, this book provides a step-by-step tutorial for developing e-commerce applications using Flex 3, ActionScript 3.0, BlazeDS, and Java.
You will start with downloading, installing, and configuring Flex 3 SDK and Flex Builder 3 and learn basic concepts, such as what is Macromedia Flex Markup Language (MXML) and ActionScript, understanding UI components, controls and compilers, and so on. Furthermore, you will start developing simple applications and slowly go into more depth where you will learn advanced concepts, such as creating custom components, debugging, integrating with Java, using RPC services, styling, internationalizing, and deploying Flex applications, and much more.
Chapter 1: Installing and Configuring Adobe Flex—In this chapter, you will learn the basics of Flex programming, that is, downloading, installing, and configuring Flex SDK and Flex Builder 3.
Chapter 2: Introduction to Flex 3 Framework—This chapter will introduce you to the MXML scripting for laying out User Interfaces (UI) in the Flex world. This chapter also provides hands-on examples required to get you started with MXML programming.
Chapter 3: Introduction to ActionScript 3.0—This chapter will introduce you to the ActionScript 3.0 programming language along with detailed code samples.
Chapter 4: Using External API and LocalConnection - In this chapter, you will learn how to communicate with JavaScript from a Flex application and vice versa.
Chapter 5: Working with XML—In this chapter, you will learn how to work with XML data using Flex's E4X approach.
Chapter 6:Overview of LiveCycle Data Services and BlazeDS—This chapter will provide an overview of BlazeDS and LiveCycle Data Services.
Chapter 7: Flex Data Access Methods—This chapter provides you with in-depth information about various data access methods available in Flex with detailed and step-by-step code samples along with Flash Player security model. It also gives you a detailed insight into how to use RemoteObject to communicate with Java code.
Chapter 8: Communicating with Server-side Java—This chapter provides step-by-step code examples to get started with Flex and Java communication along with clear and simple code examples..
Chapter 9: Debugging Techniques—In this chapter, you will learn how to debug your Flex application using Flex Builder 3 and some third-party tools.
Chapter 10: Packaging and Deployment—You will learn how to build and package a Flex application using available tools, such as Apache Ant, and learn about various deployment options that you can use.
Chapter 11: Styling Your Application—This chapter will give an overview of using Cascading Style Sheet (CSS) for changing the look and feel of your Flex application and components with brief code examples and tools for designing CSS files.
Chapter 12: Internationalization and Localization—This chapter will give you an overview of internationalizing your application.
Chapter 13: Creating an E-commerce Application—This chapter will provide a step-by-step guide for creating an end-to-end e-commerce application using Flex 3, ActionScript 3.0, BlazeDS, and Java.
First and foremost, you need to have a need for learning Flex 3 technology; yes, I say that because most of us learn a new technology either by accident or because of some need, such as client/project demand or for doing things that are not possible with current technology or maybe you just want to upgrade your skill sets. Whatever is your reason behind learning Flex 3, I assure you that this book will serve as a simple and clear handbook for any developers to get started with Adobe Flex 3 programming.
Although this book is very easy to read and understand for any novice programmer, having some basic knowledge of Java programming in general, including Java Server Pages (JSP), would help you to pick up quickly. Apart from this, I assume that you have already heard about terms such as Rich Internet applications (RIAs) and understand theory behind it; if not, then please visit http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rich_Internet_application.
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<mx:Style>
Label
{
color: #ffff00;
fontSize: 20;
fontWeight: bold;
}
</mx:Style>
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<mx:Style>
Label
{
color: #ffff00;
fontSize: 20;
fontWeight: bold;
}
Label.helloStyle
{
color: red;
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}
Label.bonjourStyle
{
color: blue;
fontFamily: Arial;
fontSize: 20;
}
</mx:Style>
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