Class Overview

This hands on session will introduce attendees to Flex 4.  Whether you’re an experienced Flex 3 developer, or new to Flex and Flash altogether, we’ll get you started with Flex 4 development using Adobe’s Flash Builder.

Attendees will learn what Flex is, how it relates to the Flash platform, and differences from Flex 3 to Flex 4.  Then we’ll get hands on with creating our first Flex application – first by creating a barebones application.  Then we’ll connect this application to data over the web, and finally we’ll skin and style the application.

Requirements

What you need to have ready for the session:

• Flash Builder installed – mandatory
• WAMP, WAMP, or LAMP installed - optional

Introduction

• What is Flex
• Flex 3 vs Flex 4
• Development in the Flash Builder IDE vs the Flex SDK
• Exploring Flash Builder (hands on)

Creating a Barebones, No Frills Flex App

• Basic Components (Buttons, Sliders, etc)
• Layout Containers
• Data Binding
• Data Grids/Lists
• States

Connecting to a Data Source

• Creating Connections to Data
• Using our existing data binding to swap out our Array collections and use a live data source

Styling (putting the frills in our no-frills app)

• Advanced CSS
• Skinning
• Importing FXG from Illustrator (Illustrator not required, FXG will be provided)
• Creating a custom item renderer
• Transitions and Effects

Publishing

• Debug/Build Release
• Convert to AIR application

About The Instructors

Ben Farrell currently works as a Flex/Flash developer at Digitalsmiths in RTP, NC.  Digitalsmiths powers the digital media for today’s leading Hollywood studios, broadcasters, distributors and publishers including Warner Bros., Telepictures and TMZ.com.  Prior to Digitalsmiths, Ben worked at 360KID in Boston, MA where he helped to create educational games and applications for top publishers like Pearson and McGraw Hill as well as top children’s companies like Nickelodeon Jr., and Sesame Street earning multiple awards including two Emmy Nominations.

Adrian Pomilio  has been developing web based applications since 1997, with a recent focus on the Flash Platform in the past three years.  As well as Flex Adrian has also reached a high level of expertise in Air, CSS, Javascript, various server side languages, data modeling, GIS,  and various technologies.  Most of Adrian's work centers around transportation and logistics, specifically the North American Railroad industry.  Current Employer: Railinc, Cary NC.