Is there an easier way to build and deliver rich internet applications (RIAs) other than the Flash IDE or Ajax? Absolutely. With Adobe Flex 2, the Flex 2 SDK, and this book, you have all you need to build RIAs. "Programming Flex 2" offers you plenty of practical and useful examples that reveal how and why to use a particular feature of Flex 2, and when and when not to. As part of the Adobe Developer Library, "Programming Flex 2" is the authoritative guide to this new Adobe framework. You learn to use a markup language called MXML and a vast library of off-the-shelf and highly-configurable components to build Flash-based applications that combine the immediacy of the Web with the functionality and responsiveness of desktop applications. You also discover why - with the Flash Player runtime environment and the powerful ActionScript 3.0 programming language - the possibilities with Flex 2 are nearly limitless. The topics include: Managing Layout; Working with Components; Working with Media; Managing State; Using Transitions and Effects; Working with Data; Customizing Application Appearance; Client Data Communication and Remote Data Communication; Debugging Flex Framework Applications; and Creating Custom Components. Flex may be easier to learn than the Flash IDE, but you still need a reliable guide to the framework. "Programming Flex 2" not only serves as a reference, but provides valuable and practical insight into this new technology. As you learn how to build Flex applications, you'll also discover how Flex works. This book supplies all the information you need in one convenient place.

If you want to try your hand at developing rich Internet applications with Adobe's Flex 3, and already have experience with frameworks such as .NET or Java, this is the ideal book to get you started. Programming Flex 3 gives you a solid understanding of Flex 3's core concepts, and valuable insight into how, why, and when to use specific Flex features. Numerous examples and sample code demonstrate ways to build complete, functional applications for the Web, using the free Flex SDK, and RIAs for the desktop, using Adobe AIR. This book is an excellent companion to Adobe's Flex 3 reference documentation. With this book, you will: * Learn the underlying details of the Flex framework * Program with MXML and ActionScript * Arrange the layout and deal with UI components * Work with media * Manage state for applications and components * Use transitions and effects * Debug your Flex applications * Create custom components * Embed Flex applications in web browsers * Build AIR applications for the desktop Flex 3 will put you at the forefront of the RIA revolution on both the Web and the desktop. Programming Flex 3 will help you get the most from this amazing and sophisticated technology.