ArcGIS Server 9.3 Flex API Jeremy Bixby City of Lenexa, KS December 2 nd, 2008

What is Flex? Powerful toolkit offering prepackaged code modules. Powerful toolkit offering prepackaged code modules. Based on ActionScript. Based on ActionScript. Open-Source, owned by Adobe Open-Source, owned by Adobe Adobe sells FlexBuilder, an integrated development environment (IDE). Adobe sells FlexBuilder, an integrated development environment (IDE).

What is Actionscript? Common Descendent of ECMAScript (originally JavaScript), the web scripting standard. Common Descendent of ECMAScript (originally JavaScript), the web scripting standard. Syntax is C-like, but easier to work with then a full programming language Syntax is C-like, but easier to work with then a full programming language

Flex and ActionScript The programmer develops highly- interactive web sites by using the Flex framework, and the ActionScript language. The programmer develops highly- interactive web sites by using the Flex framework, and the ActionScript language. ActionScript compiles into the.swf format, or Shockwave Flash Format. ActionScript compiles into the.swf format, or Shockwave Flash Format.

What is the SWF format? Format that the Flash player “plays” when an internet user browses to a site which invokes an SWF file. Format that the Flash player “plays” when an internet user browses to a site which invokes an SWF file. Flash player is currently installed on approx. 98.9% of all internet-enabled computers. Flash player is currently installed on approx. 98.9% of all internet-enabled computers. Adobe offers javascript functions to allow the user to easily download the Flash Player if developer-specified version is not currently installed. Adobe offers javascript functions to allow the user to easily download the Flash Player if developer-specified version is not currently installed.

Flex examples html html html html

Non-Flex examples

Why Flex? Why not JavaScript or Web ADF? WebADF is much more powerful then the JavaScript or Flex APIs, but not needed for our uses. WebADF is much more powerful then the JavaScript or Flex APIs, but not needed for our uses. No good IDEs available for JavaScript. No good IDEs available for JavaScript. JavaScript API heavily uses Dojo. JavaScript API heavily uses Dojo. Doesn’t always workDoesn’t always work Frequently changesFrequently changes Poorly documentedPoorly documented

Here’s why Flex!!! Fun to program with Fun to program with Easier to implement design patterns Easier to implement design patterns Flex, by virtue of being privately developed is: Flex, by virtue of being privately developed is: Supported and maintainedSupported and maintained DocumentedDocumented Always worksAlways works Highly-ScalableHighly-Scalable Generous and Helpful User CommunityGenerous and Helpful User Community

Here’s why Flex (more) Flex toolkit is very powerful and allows development of very interactive, powerful web applications. Flex toolkit is very powerful and allows development of very interactive, powerful web applications. Mxml + ActionScript = whole lotta fun! Mxml + ActionScript = whole lotta fun!

FlexBuilder Demo IDE Tools for RIA IDE Tools for RIA DebugDebug Profile: This is cool.Profile: This is cool. Tools to make your life easier, like AutoComplete, error-checking, etc.Tools to make your life easier, like AutoComplete, error-checking, etc. Compare and Contrast: JavaScript vs. ActionScript/FlexCompare and Contrast: JavaScript vs. ActionScript/Flex

Tour of Flex and ArcGIS Flex APIs A Quick look at both APIs… A Quick look at both APIs…

How have I adapted? Started with MVC, and very strong tendencies towards abstraction, but switched to more of a component- driven architecture. Started with MVC, and very strong tendencies towards abstraction, but switched to more of a component- driven architecture. Result is kind of a hybrid approach to RIA development. Result is kind of a hybrid approach to RIA development.

Thanks! Any questions? Any questions?