Adobe has recently released the Flex 2.0 Beta which works with the next version of ActionScript (AS3.0) and Flash Player 8.5. If you want to learn more about Flex 2.0 and ActionScript 3.0, you can start creating Flex applications with Flex Builder 2.0. This package is based on Eclipse and provides developers with all the tools they’ll need to create applications. Developers can write the code themselves or work visually, or use a combination of both. Flex Builder can import content from Flash 8 so that developers and designers can work together easily.
To get started, you download the framework and SDK from http://labs.macromedia.com/flexproductline/. The idea is that developers can learn the features of Flex 2.0 and ActionScript 3.0 prior to their commercial release.
As a technology, Flex is made up of:
- The Flex 2.0 framework and SDK
- Flex Builder 2.0
- Flex Data Services 2.0
- Flex Charting 2.0
The Flex framework creates the application and allows you to build a user interface from pre-built components and controls. You can also create your own custom components. Flex and ActionScript together specify how the components will behave styled. The Flex framework is free when you download the Flex Software Development Kit.
Flex includes Data Services that allow for communication between applications and server data, as well as a number of charting extensions. You can read more about Flex at http://labs.macromedia.com/wiki/index.php/Flex.
This tutorial only applies to Windows users because Flex Builder isn’t yet available for Macs. The tutorial will introduce you to the Flex framework and we’ll use Flex Builder to create a very simple calorie calculator. The calculator will determine how many calories you burn through exercise. You’ll enter your weight, choose the exercise type and enter a duration and the application will calculate the number of calories and kilojoules burned. The screenshot below shows you how the finished application will look.
While this is a simple example, it will show you how to work with Flex Builder. You’ll learn how to create a simple interface and how to configure the component properties. I’ll also introduce you to ActionScript 3.0.
Let’s start by installing Flex Builder.
Hello. I'm the Principal of Anything Is Possible, an Australian web development business specialising in web applications development and training. I'm interested in using Flash with dynamic content and I've presented at a number of International conferences on topics relating to applications development, XML and scripting components. I have recently released my second print book Beginning XML with DOM and Ajax to match the first one - Foundation XML for Flash. I have a business