Flex paved a bright way for web's future.

Flex is a combined technology that gives developer a integrated framework for building RIA (rich internet application). It was launched late last year by Adobe. When I compared its effects and events with .Net framework provided, it is really richer. For example, for a Flex 2 Label, it has 13 effects, 64 events.

First look at what Flex can do, Fladdict might be considered as one of the most top class application that Flex can do, particularly on its Amazon book search. Giffy, is another one, tying to bring Microsoft Visio on web, well. If people follows, no more installation is required. Traditional windows applications done by VB or IBM Domino or Java can be replaced by web apps. Google also uses it in Google Finance, acquiring Youtube which is using Flash displaying video. I might consider it is a smart move that Google can acquire Adobe Flex, if it can.

Adobe Flex site also provides many great examples. Among these, 3 tools I feel useful.

1) CSS editor for flex components

2) Code editor explorer. A good overview what code to be used to bring things moving.

3) Template. Presents a number of presentation ways.

Tools like Flash catcher can download the file as an exe file working locally (if Flash player 9 is installed locally). The desktop application can be useful if the user is offline. This is the same concept of Apollo which Adobe is researching on - "Apollo is a cross-OS runtime that allows developers to leverage their existing web development skills (Flash, Flex, HTML, Ajax) to build and deploy desktop RIA’s. Notes rich text field can load Java applet nicely, unfortunately, it can not support Flex application.

Flex is able to integrate with other language well by WebService, HttpServices, or by Flex data services, e.g. it links with Asp.Net for authentication. By using these, it can have rich functionality supported by .Net or Java classes. Its cutting edge is its presentation, the capability it provides is far beyond reach by Javascript, user does not need to refresh screen, vendor does not need to worry testing browser's compatibility between JS or CSS, even not need to worry installation with different versions. This is a big step ahead of AJAX. What would happen in the future, application will be hosted in web, not longer in people's PC. There will be no need to worry or update operating system all the time. This leads changes for web development. Microsoft and its WPF is its major competitor.

On its cons, 1. I feel it has not evolved as a sophisticated IDE platform as .Net. Its IDE is not as friendly as visual studio. For example it does not have solution or VBP concept to hold a project. After a project is closed, it becomes hard to reload. Need to create a new project and import script files.

2. It does not support animated gif, though it can run video or sound easily.

3. Memory intensive, after using for a while, slower to compile.

Hints: 1. You can use ctrl + s more to auto compile, this would prompts syntax error on time.

2. Use "Enter" instead of "Space Bar" to accept suggested method.

3. Trace is good debugging tool as “print” in notes.

4. Refer to Flex's guides more to know shortcuts.