Flex 3 is a great technology for developing Rich Internet Applications for the Web as well as for the desktop. If you are a developer looking to design great-looking and sophisticated user interfaces that resemble desktop-based applications, and want to utilize an existing server technology such as Java to develop RIAs, this book is for you.

Targeting developers who want to get started with Adobe Flex 3 programming, this simple and clear handbook introduces Flex technology quickly and straightforwardly. Utilizing your existing knowledge of Java, it gives you the insight and hands-on experience to program with Flex 3.

This book provides comprehensive information on various aspects of Flex 3 and ActionScript 3.0. These include developing simple applications, handling events, creating custom components and events, using RPC services, integration with Java and BlazeDS, styling and formatting, and how to package and deploy Flex applications.

You will start with downloading, installing and configuring Flex 3 SDK and Flex Builder 3 and learn basic concepts such as what MXML and ActionScript are, understanding UI components, controls, compilers, and more. Further you will develop simple applications and slowly advance 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 more.

One of the things you're really going to love about this book is that you will develop a full-blown e-commerce application using a combination of Flex 3, ActionScript 3.0, BlazeDS 3.2, and Java. At the end of the book you will have the knowledge and experience needed to develop Rich Internet Applications.

What you will learn from this book?

• Install and configure Flex 3.0 SDK and Flex Builder 3 to build and deploy Flex Rich Internet Applications
• Discover the Flex application architecture and how to use MXML language to write Flex applications
• Learn to mix ActionScript and MXML code to write Flex applications, use Events, create custom events, and create and use custom components
• Use External API and LocalConnection to enable communication between ActionScript and JavaScript and from SWF to SWF
• Build a sample book explorer application with XML using the E4X approach in Flex
• Use Adobe LiveCycle Data Services and BlazeDS components for accessing server-side data
• Discover data access methods such as HTTPService, WebService, and RemoteObjects with code examples and learn how to use them to send and receive remote data
• Use BlazeDS or LCDS proxy services to access data by eliminating the need for a cross-domain policy file
• Interact with the server environment and access backend data sources to send and receive remote data in your Flex application.
• Develop Flex applications to communicate with JSP and process data sent by the server in your Flex application.
• Debug your application in the production environment using various debugging techniques along with Flex Builder'Û§s debugger and some third-party tools
• Learn various ways of packaging your Flex application using Flex Builder 3 and Ant Script
• Customize your application's look and feel using external CSS and learn how to utilize runtime CSS for changing your application's look and feel dynamically
• Use internationalization techniques to customize your application for multiple locales
• Localize Flex applications by using ResourceManager class; learn the technique to create resource bundle modules and load them at runtime to change locale dynamically

Approach

The author's experience in creating applications using Flex enables him to share insights on using it effectively in a clear, simple, and concise manner. His approach will help you gain hands-on programming experience in Flex 3 and ActionScript 3.0. The book focuses on important features of Flex 3 and ActionScript 3.0 and gives clear instructions and precise code examples to explain features and ensure that you actually learn as you read.

Who this book is written for?

This book is a good starting point for any developer with a little experience in Java programming to get going with Adobe Flex 3 and ActionScript 3.0 development. You may be a software developer/professional who wishes to learn and understand Flex 3 technology for developing Rich Internet Applications. If you are a system analyst who wants to explore and understand Flex 3 then this is an ideal book for you.

About the Author

Satish Kore hails from Bangalore, the IT capital of India. He has more than 8 years experience in the technology world, spread across multiple technologies and domains, and he has extensive knowledge of Java, J2ME and Adobe Flex, ActionScript, and so on. He is a Principle Engineer at multinational company in Bangalore, India. He is a Flex enthusiast and evangelist and has been working on Flex since its early 1.5 version days. His application built using Flex 3 has won a best-application award from Flash-based telephony company Ribbit.