Creating a Simple RIA: Learning Points
The purpose of the Simple RIA Flickr application is to expose beginning Flex programmers to MXML and ActionScript syntax and to the Flex development process. |
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Flex information relevant to the Flickr simple RIA
The following list summarizes key points that will help orient you to Adobe Flex technology.
- Flex applications are Flash applications.
- Flex is a programmer-centric way to create Flash-based rich internet applications.
- Flex applications are rendered using Flash Player 9.
- Like all Flash RIAs, Flex SWF files are processed by the client, rather than the server.
- The Flex framework contains the predefined class libraries and application services necessary to create Flex applications.
- The framework is available in a free SDK and the Eclipse-based IDE named Flex Builder.
- The framework includes a compiler that is available as a standalone tool or as part of Flex Builder.
- The class libraries and application services provide developers with standard components and tools for quick application development.
Standard UI components can be extended and customized.
- Flex applications are written using MXML and/or ActionScript.
- MXML is an XML-based markup language that is primarily used to layout application display elements.
- ActionScript is an ECMAScript-compliant object-oriented programming language that is primarily used for application logic.
- MXML and ActionScript code are compiled into binary SWF files.
What you will learn in the Flickr simple RIA
When exploring the Flickr simple RIA code, you will learn how to:
- Create a user interface using MXML to accept user-supplied keywords and display photos
- Write a method and event handler using ActionScript
- Request and handle RSS data from Flickr using Flex HTTPService
- Create a bindable XML variable used to populate a Tile component
- Cast data as XML
- Create a namespace for the XML thumbnail and description data
- Create an item renderer to display photo thumbnail and description in the Tile component
- Create a custom component
- Customize the application display
For step-by-step instructions to build this application, see the Tutorial.