I am debugging both a flash cs4 project and a flash builder project, actually the flash builder project will load the flash cs4 project thru swfloader, but the system can only support one debugger at a time. So I am seeking a method to debug it simultaneously...
You might want to try using De MonsterDebugger or Alcon Debugger.
Related
I have been throught a lot of reading and the whole thing is becoming only more confusing so I decided to ask you some stuff about Flex.
So, Flex can run in a webpage if you have Flash plugin in your browser, in an AIR container (on pc/android/IOS, but on OSX ?) and also can compile to Native IOS/Android app.
I am not sure about the last point.
If it is possible, how can I build a flex app that would run in browser with flash plugin and also be compiled to Android and IOS (and maybe Windows RT) ?
Adobe gives you Flash builder, do you also need the Flex SDK ? Is it doable with the Eclipse Flex plugin ?
Thank you for your help and sorry if it is a bit messed up.
So, Flex can run in a webpage if you have Flash plugin in your
browser, in an AIR container (on pc/android/IOS, but on OSX ?) and
also can compile to Native IOS/Android app. I am not sure about the
last point.
This is mostly correct. Flex can run in a web page using the Flash Plugin, which is widely available on desktop browsers. For all intents and purposes, you should assume your mobile users do not have a Flash Plugin installed on their mobile browsers.
It is true using AIR you can create desktop applications for PC and Mac; OSx is indeed supported. You can also use AIR to create Mobile applications on Android, iOS, and Blackberry Playbook. So, iOS is indeed supported. Windows 8 UI/Metro support for AIR is expected 1st quarter of this year. I suspect we'll also see AIR support for Blackberry 10; but nothing has been formally announced that I'm aware of.
Update: 3/2014
Adobe has abandoned plans for Windows 8 UI / Metro support. Windows Phone 8 support is a very common feature request, though, so vote for it if you want it.
BlackBerry 10 does indeed support Adobe AIR. Here is a link to the SDK.
If it is possible, how can I build a flex app that would run in
browser with flash plugin and also be compiled to Android and IOS (and
maybe Windows RT) ?
Flex is primarily a framework for creating business applications. A slightly different component set is offered for desktop applications and mobile applications. Part of this is due to screen size; and part due to performance. A big DataGrid with dozens of columns, for example, is not conducive to the screen size of your mobile phone.
Update 3/2014:
A mobile optimized DataGrid was donated to the Apache Flex Team, and it should be available in current versions of the SDK.
In the end; you should not plan on using the same exact application for both your Desktop/browser app and the mobile app. But, you can share some amount of code. I would target to share 80% of the code. Move the shared code into a library project; which you can then use on both your mobile application, your desktop application, and your browser based application.
Adobe gives you Flash builder, do you also need the Flex SDK ? Is it
doable with the Eclipse Flex plugin ?
Flash Builder is shipped with the Flex SDK. And Adobe Flex ships with the AIR SDK [Note: Apache Flex does not ship w/ the AIR SDK due to licensing differences; but there is a handy installer]. Flash Builder, also, is an Eclipse plugin and can be installed into any eclipse instance you wish.
You do not need Flash Builder to create a Flex Application. You can use command line tools and other IDEs, such as IntelliJ, if you prefer.
Using Flash Professional, you can package and export to a number of platforms using AIR. You can port to both Android or iOS (as a native app), in addition to creating a .swf file that can be embedded onto a webpage - all using the one application (go 'File' > 'Publish Settings' then change the player target).
I'm not sure whether the same options are available in Flash Builder, (appears to be possible -
adobe website) but not other IDE (such as Eclipse) or framework should be needed.
You may want to consider an alternative development and deployment strategy depending on your requirements, e.g. PhoneGap which should offer support for a greater number of devices.
Can someone explain to me the difference between Adobe Air, Flex, and Flash Builder?
I went to the Adobe website and it said that with Air I can build standalone apps for the desktop or mobile. They said the same thing with Flex.
It said Flash Builider is an Eclipse based development tool. What does THAT mean? And then it said that I could again build applications for the desktop and mobile.
There is so much overlap, I don't really understand what first to learn and what direction to take. (I know Flash and AS2 & AS3 very well.)
What is Flex
Flex is a powerful, open source application framework that allows you to easily build mobile applications for iOS, Android™, and BlackBerry Tablet OS devices, as well as traditional applications for browser and desktop application.
Flex has different SDK Version, more details
The Flex SDK contains hundreds of out-of-the-box components. DataGrids, Charts, Formatters, Validators, and numerous other UI controls are the building blocks for applications of all sizes. Components can be styled and skinned to fit the look and feel you want. There are also hundreds of third party open source and commercial components available for Flex. Mapping APIs, Data Visualization libraries, and Cloud APIs provide the building blocks for assembling great applications.
You will use the following two languages two develop flex applications.
1 . MXML is an XML-based markup language that is primarily used to layout application display elements.
2 . ActionScript is an ECMAScript-compliant object-oriented programming language that is primarily used for application logic
What is Flash Builder
Flash Builder is an enterprise-class Eclipse-based IDE to develop Flex applications.
Flash Builder includes state-of-the-art productivity features (code assist, refactoring, etc),
on-device debugging, and mobile simulators that allow developers to test their applications
on different screen sizes and densities. Flash Builder allows developers to package native
application files (ipa, apk, bar) for release on the Apple App Store, Android Marketplace,
and BlackBerry App world.
What is AIR
Adobe AIR is a cross-operating system runtime that enables you to use your existing ActionScript or HTML/JavaScript development skills and tools to build and deploy rich Internet applications (RIAs) outside the browser(Desktop) and on mobile devices.
It's very easy:
Adobe Air is a Flash Runtime for desktops and mobile devices. In other words, Flash applications use, and need it to work in the desktop or in mobile devices. This would be the equivalent to the Flash Player that you use in your web browser every day.
Flex is a framework that provides you with a set of user interface components, containers and utilities that make it easier to develop visual applications.
Flash Builder is the software you use to edit the code, to "compile" it, to test it, to debug it...
Starting from flash, Inventor of RIA(Rich internet applications). First came as a much designer friendly platform where the users can develop some cool animations and banners. Become a big success. Then making the animation interactive like listening for end users actions through keyboard and mouse added a programming language (Actionscript).
Flex a much developer friendly tool, which felicitate the development of rich internet applications in the beginning, They put Flex SDK(Software Development Tool) along with flex which makes the application development much easier.
Adobe AIR is a flash runtime running on your desktop and mobile devices, making the same user experience and to allow the developers to create multi platform desktop applications and giving some sort of access to the developers to the os level. Later on have put their effort in Mobile devices and put forward an idea of creating cross platform applications for mobile devices.
In a nutshell.
Flex can be considered as a development toolkit for for the Flash Player.
AIR is a runtime environment that enables you to run your application on the desktop/mobile device.
Flash builder is a development tool for creating applications
I am very new to the flash/flex world. I am wondering if I can create a SWF in Flex WITHOUT using Flash Builder ?
Actually mxmlc.exe compiles your application (about). You can compile directly using it and passing appropriate parameters.
Also you can compile using flex ant task.
And of course you can use other IDE for compiling:
IntelliJ IDEA
FDT
FlashDevelop
But all in all, all of this tools actually use mxmlc compiler (or its variations).
Yes ! You can write ActionScript code using any editor and you can use the mxmlc command line tool. Refer here for more on mxmlc. You can also use Eclipse IDE, point it to Flex SDK and do Flex development.
Adobe Flash Builder is not a must to generate .SWFs.
A few basics:
Flash Builder is the IDE using which you'll develop applications in ActionScript (the language), taking help of the Flex framework. When you publish the application, the compiler will create an swf file which will run on Flash Player (for browser apps) and an installer file for desktop apps.
You can indeed by using:
mxmlc on the command line;
Using the mxmlc Ant task;
Using flexmojos Maven plugin.
FlashBuilder uses mxmlc to compile your Flex application. Other IDEs can also build Flex applications, such as IntelliJ IDEA.
Recently, i have faced an issue of caching of my flex swf file on client's ie-explorer machine and i could not tell him every time, delete all your cache data and reopen the browser.
so, finally, i have think to make the different version of swf file for each release build and give it to client while production release.
Could you please have any idea about handling/maintain version of release swf file in flash builder.
i am using the flash builder 4.0 and using flex 4 in my application.
I think you should do this versioning in the deployment process, ie when you upload the new SWF to your webserver, as the HTML / JS embedding needs to be updated too anyway.
Can Anyone tell me the differences between Flex SDK and Flash Builder ??
Like - "Mobile development using Adobe Flex SDK "Hero" and Flash Builder "Burrito"
Are Both same ?? Please clarify in details. We understand that Flex is an IDE or SDK(software development kit ) where we build,compile and deploy projects with sets of components and class library available .
Previously it was clear that Adobe Flex builder 3 has been renamed to Adobe Flash Builder 4 like that.
I am really confused. Can anyone help me out.
Thanks in Advance.
Flash Builder Burrito is the next version of Flash Builder (formerly Flex Builder). It's an IDE used to help write Flex applications.
Flex Hero is the next version of the Flex framework. It provides the classes, components and compiler which form the building blocks of Flex applications.
Ie: You can build Flex Hero applications by writing and editing code inside Flash Builder Burrito.
Adobe Flex Builder 3 and Flash Builder 4 are graphical user interfaces, an IDE.
At the same time there are many versions of flex, for example flex builder 3 introduced flex 3 sdk and Flash Builder 4 introduced flex 4 sdk... Those frameworks are open source so u can compile and develop an app using the sdk, that is not very simple because u will need to create you source code in a plain text editor, totally manual and compile from a command line... Flash builder 4 and Flex Builder are IDE but they are not open source and aren't free, so you will have have to pay or use a student license from adobe flash plattform