This document provides an overview of Rich Internet Applications (RIAs) and the Flex framework. It defines what an RIA is, describes common RIA tools like AJAX and Flex, and explains the anatomy and key features of RIAs. The document then focuses on Flex, explaining what Flex is, how it compares to Flash and AJAX, and how the Flex development process works using MXML, ActionScript, and compiling into SWF files. Examples of Flex applications and resources for learning more about Flex are also provided.

1. Adobe Flex

5. Application Evolution Client/Server Mainframe Web Applications Reach Local Global Rich Text UI 1992 1998 2005+ Rich Internet Applications

7. Anatomy of a Rich Internet Application Data Visualization & Collaboration Real Time Data Push & Alerting Chat Offline Data Synchronization & Conflict Resolution Bi-Directional Audio & Video Rich Data Entry Menus & Navigation Controls Resizable Views/Effects/ Transitions Mapping, Geo-Coding, Annotations & White boarding

8. What is Flex?

11. History

12. Flex vs. Flash Library SWF Compiled object, No special server required, Runs on Flash Player, Cross Browser compatible Flex Compiler AS3 MXML Flash Authoring Flex Builder (and SDK) AS2 Flash Compiler CSS

13. Flex v/s AJAX

14. Where does Flex fit in? Any Language/Server PHP ASP.net Java/JSP/Struts/J2EE Web Services 3 rd Party APIs Database -MYSQL -DB2 -Oracle -Sybase -MSSQL -Access?

15. How Flex Works ? Browser MXML and ActionScript XML/HTTP REST SOAP Web Services JEE Application Server LC Data Services Flash Player Web Server Existing Applications and Infrastructure Flex Builder IDE Flex SDK MXML ActionScript Flex Class Library Compile .swf .swf HTTP/S AMF/S RTMP/S SOAP

16. Getting Started

17. Flex/Flash Builder IDE

20. Flex – other features

21. Where Flex is used ? Product Configuration Rich Media Applications Data Visualization Authoring Applications Product Selection Line of Business Applications

22. Resources - links Adobe Devnet: http://www.adobe.com/devnet/flex/ Learn Flex in a week http://www.adobe.com/devnet/flex/videotraining/ Learn Flex in a week http://www.adobe.com/devnet/flex/videotraining/ Flex Help: Getting started with Flex http://learn.adobe.com/wiki/display/Flex/Getting+Started Flex Examples: http://blog.flexexamples.com/ Flex.org http://flex.org/

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