Flex is a highly productive, free open source framework for building and maintaining expressive web applications that deploy consistently on all major browsers, desktops, and operating systems. While Flex applications can be built using only the free Flex SDK developers can use Adobe Flex Builder3 software to dramatically accelerate development.

Flex overview

Flex is a free, open source framework for building highly interactive, expressive web applications that deploy consistently on all major browsers, desktops, and operating systems. It provides a modern, standards-based language and programming model that supports common design patterns.

MXML, a declarative XML-based language, is used to describe UI layout and behaviors, and Action Script 3, a powerful object-oriented programming language, is used to create client logic. Flex also includes a rich component library with more than 100 proven, extensible UI components for creating rich Internet applications (RIAs), as well as an interactive Flex application debugger.

RIAs created with Flex can run in the browser using Adobe Flash Player software or on the desktop on Adobe AIR, the cross-operating system runtime. This enables Flex applications to run consistently across all major browsers and on the desktop. And using AIR, Flex applications can now access local data and system resources on the desktop. Both Flash Player and Adobe AIR are available as a free download on Adobe.com.

You can accelerate application development with Adobe Flex Builder 3 software, a highly productive, Eclipse based development environment, and Adobe Live Cycle Data Services software, a set of advanced data services that can be used in Flex development. Both of these products are available for purchase.

ADOBE FLEX BUILDER 3

Adobe Flex Builder 3 accelerates Flex application development. It is an Eclipse based development tool enabling intelligent coding, interactive step-through debugging, and visual design of the user interface layout, appearance, and behavior of RIAs. Flex Builder 3 includes the complete Flex framework, including compilers, a component library, and debuggers.
Flex Builder 3 is available in Standard and Professional editions. Both editions allow import of assets from Adobe Creative Suite 3 software, making it easy for designers and developers to work together. Flex Builder 3 Professional further adds powerful data visualization capabilities, the new Advanced Datagrid, memory and performance profilers, and support for automated functional testing for developing business-critical applications.

About Flex 3 SDK

Flex 3 SDK includes the Flex framework (also known as the Flex class library), Flex command-line compilers, the Flex debugger, the ASDoc utility, and the debugger version of Flash Player. Use the Flex SDK to develop, compile, and deploy Flex applications that connect to XML and SOAP web services or connect to various server technologies such as PHP, Cold Fusion, Java, and .NET using a server technology such as Blaze DS

Rich user experience

Flex allows web application developers to efficiently create highly interactive, expressive interfaces for web and desktop applications. Engaging applications built with Flex can reach more users, improve productivity and satisfaction, and generate increased profits.

Cross-platform, accessible applications

Flex applications leverage the Adobe Flash Player 9 runtime. Installed on over 98% of Internet connected computers, Flash Player uniquely provides a consistent, accessible user experience across browsers and platforms. It is an enterprise-class client runtime with advanced vector graphics capable of handling the most demanding, data-intensive applications while performing at desktop application speeds.

Adobe AIR integration

The new Adobe AIR client runtime enables rich Internet applications (RIAs) to run on the desktop, creating new opportunities for more engaging, high-performance online/offline applications. The Flex framework provides native support for the new AIR APIs, and Adobe Flex Builder 3 software provides all the tools necessary to build, debug, package, and sign applications built on Adobe AIR.

Developer productivity

Assemble and build RIAs using more than100 rich, prebuilt application components. Use the powerful Eclipse based Flex Builder development environment to further accelerate development, debugging, and testing of web and desktop RIAs.

Adobe Creative Suite 3 integration

The combination of Flex and Adobe Creative Suite 3 software provides smooth, consistent workflows using best-in-class tools. Use Adobe Flash, Fireworks, Illustrator®, and Photoshop to create assets in native Flex formats. Use Flex Builder to easily import these assets into the interface of an RIA.

Ease of use

Get started quickly with an extensive library of components, skins, containers, and application services. Use wizards to connect to existing web services or generate database connection code in Adobe ColdFusion, PHP, ASP.NET, and Java.

Open source, standards-based framework

Flex 3 is available as open source software through the Open Source Flex SDK. Flex provides a modern, standards-based language and programming model supporting common design patterns. You can extend and enhance the open source framework to suit your needs and contribute to the evolution of Flex.

Advanced data services

Using open source BlazeDS, easily connect Flex and AIR applications to back-end, distributed data and Java server infrastructures to deliver responsive, real-time, data-driven user experiences deployed in the browser or on the desktop.

Enhancements to existing projects

Add incremental richness by embedding micro-applications or components in existing websites, or revolutionize your entire user experience with immersive, single-screen applications, all with a single investment.

Scalability

Flex is designed to scale from simple components in websites to full-blown browser-based or desktop applications. With its extensible prebuilt component library, Flex provides a broad solution for creating RIAs of all kinds. Developers can select data transport methods including support for XML over HTTP, Adobe's Action Message Format (AMF), or RTMP using Adobe

LiveCycle® Data Services ES (formerly Flex Data Services).

Adobe® Flex® Builder™ 3 software is a highly productive Eclipse™ based development tool enabling intelligent coding, interactive step-through debugging, and visual design of the user interface layout, appearance, and behavior of rich Internet applications (RIAs). Key features include:

Powerful coding tools

Flex Builder 3 is a powerful Eclipse based IDE that includes editors for MXML, ActionScript™, and CSS, as well as syntax coloring, statement completion, code collapse, interactive step-through debugging, and more.

Rich visual layout

Visually design and preview user interface layout, appearance, and behavior using a rich library of built-in components. Extend the built-in components or create new ones as needed.
New in Flex Builder 3 — Interactively set and preview CSS values on any of your components

Flex Builder Design view.

Interactive data visualization (Enhanced in Flex Builder 3)
Create data dashboards and interactive data analysis by simply dragging and dropping a chart type and linking it to a data source using the Flex charting library. Use the powerful new Advanced Datagrid to enable users to explore complex data.

Contributed by Suraj @ Software Associates