Adobe Flex Builder 4.6 Extras

Adobe Flash Builder Extras includes:

1. Flash Catalyst CS 5.5 installer
2. ActionScript Code Coverage Plug-in for Adobe Flash Builder (Eclipse Plugin)

Note: The Adobe Flash Builder 4.6 Extras are not included in the Electronic Software Distribution (ESD) download. They need to be separately downloaded from the URL http://www.adobe.com/go/fb46_getextras

Flash Builder 4.7 Beta is now available.. !!

the latest version of Flash Builder is currently in public beta with support for Apache Flex 4.8. The beta is free to all - it will expire when the official version ships. The official version will be a free upgrade for retail 4.5/4.6 customers.

 The Flash Builder team is looking for feedback on support for Apache Flex SDKs
(and how it can be made using Apache Flex easier in Flash Builder).


The URL of the download page is

http://labs.adobe.com/technologies/flashbuilder4-7/

The key highlight of this release is support for Flash Player 11.4 and AIR 3.4, as well as support for the new Apache Flex 4.8 SDK. Other new features include

• New compiler support for ActionScript Projects
• Support for creating ActionScript Workers
• Support for iOS USB deployment, testing & debugging
• Support for iOS simulator

changes from previous release: 

• FB 4.7 no longer includes design view.

Pros & Cons of use of Adobe Flex for iPhone/iPad Developers

Below are the pros and cons of Adobe Flex (http://www.adobe.com/products/flex.html) environment for iOS development.

Pros:
1. No specific Hardware need: No need for Mac OS X system for development ( works on both platforms Mac & Windows).
2. Code sharing across multiple platforms: Run the same code on other mobile platforms (BlackBerry Playbook and Android), desktops & web applications (browsers)
3. SAP Data Integration: Ease of integration with SAP backend & Web Services (or to other standard data sources)
4. Improvement Developer Productivity (Adobe Flex / ActionScript would be easier to learn for a Java developer than Objective C).
5. Design Time Integration: Eclipse based developer (Flash Builder) environment or developer tools can be integrated with SAP NetWeaver Developer Studio.
6. Low Training Cost, there are plenty of examples and development tutorials available for free to get started with Adobe Flex. 
7. SAP NetWeaver GateWay Integration: https://community.wdf.sap.corp/sbs/groups/adobe-flex/blog/2011/09/02/flash-builder-and-sap-netweaver-gateway-integration
Cons:
1. Dependency on Flash Platform.
2. Licensing Cost of Software:  Cost of Development tool, Adobe Flash Builder Premium license costs $699. (on single license purchase, there may be discounted price for bulk purchase)

A Video on Mobile Application Development with Flex and Flex Builder

One tool, one framework, multiple devices

• With increased internet connectivity over mobile and more services moving to the cloud, RIAs are becoming increasingly popular on mobile devices. 
• With onslaught of so many different types of digital devices from PCs, laptops, smart phones, and tablets cross platform user  engagement has also became an import aspect of RIA development.

Develop high performance mobile applications for the iPhone®, iPad®, Android™ devices and BlackBerry® Playbook™ with one code base. Please find below a video about "Mobile application development with Flex and Flash Builder" from Adobe TV presented by Adobe Developer Connect.

Delivering an app for multiple devices no longer requires writing separate code for each platform. Flex and Adobe® Flash® Builder® 4.5 software let you develop & debug dynamic, high performance apps for
multiple platforms.

Many mobile application developers build custom components and custom navigation patterns to enhance the application’s user experience.

With the following the best practices in mobile development your application performs well on all platforms.
• List optimization
• Item renderer optimization

Create data-intensive apps for iPhone®, iPad®, Android™ devices and the BlackBerry® Playbook™
Flex and Adobe® Flash® Builder® 4.5 make the developing of enterprise mobile apps with data visualization both easy and cost effective.

This video demos how to develop high performance mobile apps that connect with major back-end systems and web services.


Mobile Application Development can be very interesting, fun and lucrative experience. Please keep sharing your experience through your comments.

Anyone who can build an Flex content can now build mobile applications for growing number of devices and platforms.

For more details one should vidist the Mobile and tablet Development page in Adobe Development Connection (http://www.adobe.com/devnet/devices.html).

Related Links

• Adobe adding support for iPhone and iPad to Flash Builder and Flex framework (9to5mac.com)
• Developing Android Applications with Flex 4.5 (oreilly.com)
• Adobe releases tools for creating mobile apps (macworld.com)
• BlackBerry Tablet OS for Adobe AIR Updates (devblog.blackberry.com)
• Boosting Development of India-Centric Mobile Apps (technologyreview.in)

Learning Adobe Flex for SAP Developers

Image via Wikipedia

Image via Wikipedia

To see how Flex applications can be connected with an SAP backend application watch this workshop session at SAP Developer Network Day - 2006.



Check the URL SAP Community NetWork - Learning Adobe Flex for SAP Developer. These resources will help developers integrate Adobe Flash functionality in SAP applications.

Adobe Flex SAP Sample from SDN Day 2006 - the demo shows how to develop rich and engaging web applications using Adobe Flex over the SAP backend. Following are the steps involved:

1. Login to SAP system, 
2. We need to create a SAP function module from which we create the Web Service.The Processing type in the FM has to be set to Remote-Enabled Module.
3. Go to Transaction WSADMIN to see the list of Web Services(WS) available in the System.
4. Select the WS and open the WSDL associated with the WS. 
5. Open the Adobe Flash Builder and declare the WS with a unique ID and provide the wsdl url.
6. Create a Dashboard to display the data from the WS.

For recent updates about SAP - Adobe Flex integration check the weblogs at Development Trends


Related articles

• Adobe aligns software branding to shine light on Flash (macworld.com)
• Innojam, DemoJam, Train Race, SIT: the innovations SAP might miss? (zdnet.com)
• SAP, meet Force.com #socialenterprise (cloudintegration.wordpress.com)
• Stimulsoft Company Announces New Generation of Reporting Tools: Stimulsoft Reports.Fx for Flex (prweb.com)

Introducing Flash/Flex Builder

Featured Video on Flash Builder
Visit the link below to view featured videos on Adobe Flash Builder
http://tv.adobe.com/product/flash-builder/?source=EWUMA

Intoducing Flash Builder


Introduction to Flex Builder 3

More DIY videos at 5min.com

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