In the first article in this series (MXDJ, Vol. 2, issue 10) I made the case
for the rich Internet application (RIA) and discussed the advantages of the
Flash client. Last month we examined the construction of an XML driven RIA
built using Flash S data and UI components. This month we look at how
ColdFusion provides a simple but powerful way to make data available as both
a Web service and a Flash Remoting data source.
Data can be made available via Web services using several technologies,
including ColdFusion. Data exposed through a Web service can be used by both
Flash and non-Flash clients. If your Web service represents data using
standard data types such as arrays and objects (or structures in ColdFusion),
the data can be used in other technologies such as ASP.NET, PHP, or Java. Web
services obtain this flexibility by using a standardized method of describing ... (more)
This month the topic is Web services. Previous articles looked at the RIA,
component-based development, XML, and the role of ColdFusion as a data
source. In this issue we examine the role of Web services in RIA development.
What is a Web service? Two years ago I really didn't have a clue. Sure, I had
heard some of the buzzwords such as SOAP and WSDL, but back then I couldn't
have told you what they meant. Then Macromedia asked me to speak at their
developer's conference: MAX. Knowing of my passion for Flash and data
integration they offered me a great topic: Flash and Web services... (more)
Flash is one of the great Internet technology stories. It began in 1995 at a
small tech startup called FutureSplash, which developed a remarkably
efficient solution for delivering rich animation over narrowband Internet
connections. Macromedia acquired FutureSplash in 1997 and established Flash
as the standard for creative and dynamic interactive web content.
Flash quickly became synonymous with creating compelling experiences that
attract and retain customers on the web. Its immersive content, featuring
motion graphics and responsive interfaces, brought the web to life in a way ... (more)
What does data look like? To a stockbroker, data might appear as a stream of
company names and stock values. A database administrator probably sees data
as a series of tables. A developer working in XML might see data as a tree
like structure.
This article is all about data. We will look at data, data structures, data
transformations, and data bindings and examine their role in the Flash MX
2004 component framework. We'll use this information to build our first RAD
App in Flash, an XML-driven data consumer.
Variables are the most basic abstraction of data (see Figure 1). Some sym... (more)
When I was asked, I jumped at the chance to do a series on Flash data
integration for the MXDJ. Here was a wonderful opportunity to share my
popular talks, presentations, and demonstrations with a large, interested
audience. In this series I have the opportunity to show you how to use Flash
MX 2004 Professional's components to rapidly develop data-driven rich
Internet applications. At the conclusion of this series we will have
constructed a one-page shopping application capable of using data from
several back ends.
I've always loved Flash. I preordered a copy of it after seeing ... (more)
Arthur Phillips has been delivering cutting edge training solutions since 1984 and has developed instructional materials for George Washington University, the Federal Reserve Board, the U.S. Graduate School and many others. Art has an extensive background in video, multimedia, electronic graphics, Web development, and e-Learning. He holds too many certifications as a Macromedia Instructor, Designer, and Developer to list. His Web site (www.artswebsite.com) is a well-known resource in the Macromedia community.
David Lucas
Shaul Efraim
Terence Martin Breslin
Cory Marchand
David Hughes
James Carlini
John Iffert
Dan Stolts
Joe Zeto
