Flex 4 is the next generation of a technology that revolutionized web applications. With nearly 98% of all web browsers, and a growing number of mobile devices, running the latest version of the Flash Player, a knowledge of Flex is indispensable for any serious web developer.

This book will show you how to create powerful Rich Internet Applications using Flex 4. After learning how to install and becoming familiar with the basics of the Flex Builder 4 software, you will explore in depth how to develop applications using the Flex XML-like scripting language, MXML, and ActionScript 3.0.

You will learn how to construct your applications using layout and navigation containers, and how to use states and transitions to maximize the ability of your application to respond to a large number of scenarios.

Rich Internet Applications rely on data, and this book shows how to bring data from various sources into your Flex application. You will see how to use XML, PHP, and ColdFusion data sources, as well as using Adobe's powerful Live Cycle Data Services for powerful interactions with Java environments.

Going further, applications built for the Flash platform can now exist and function beyond the traditional confines of the web browser. Adobe AIR allows you to take your applications to the desktop, and this book shows how to reapply your Flex skills to take advantage of this new environment.

Finally, you will see how Adobe's new Flash Catalyst will bring rapid prototyping and a better designer-developer workflow to your applications.

The Essential Guide to Flex 4 takes you through all the powerful features of Flex using a series of stand-alone, practical exercises. The skills acquired throughout the book are then brought together in the form of a fully-featured case study application showcasing essential techniques that can easily be applied to your own Flex Applications.
* The fundamentals of the Flex environment * Connecting your Flex application to a variety of data sources * Interacting Flex with other Adobe programs

Table of Contents

Chapter 1: Flex Basics Chapter 2: Flex and Flex Builder 4 3: ActionScript 3.0 Chapter 4: Containers Chapter 5: Events and Components Chapter 6: Formatting and Cascading Style Sheets Chapter 7: Flex and XML Chapter 8: Drag and Drop Chapter 9: Case Study: Part 1 Chapter 10: Case Study: Part 2 Chapter 11: Flex and ColdFusion Chapter 12: Flex and Live Cycle Data Services Chapter 13: Flex, PHP, and ASP.net Chapter 14: Printing Chapter 15: Charting Chapter 16: Flex and Catalyst

Author Biography

Charles Brown is one of the most noted author, consultant, and trainers in the industry today. His books about Dreamweaver and Fireworks have received critical acclaim and used worldwide as teaching tools. In addition to his work in the IT industry, Charles is also a noted concert pianist, organist, and guitarist appearing in major concert centers world-wide. He began his musical studies at age 4 and went on to study with famed pianist Vladimir Horowitz. At age 14, he made his debut with Leonard Bernstein and later studied at the famed Juilliard School. Eventually he went to Paris to study with the 20th century legend, Igor Stravinsky. While working with Stravinsky, Charles developed a close friendship with one of the most powerful artistic forces of the 20th century: Pablo Picasso. What he learned about creativity from Picasso he uses today in his writings and training work. Charles is a certified Macromedia/Adobe trainer who is in heavy demand worldwide. He frequently speaks at major conferences such as MAX and NAB. You can see his blog at blog.charlesebrown.net and his website can be found at CharlesEBrown.net.