Rich Internet Applications • Rich Internet applications (RIA) re eb pplications that have he features and functionality f traditional desktop applications…

• RIAs typically transfer the processing necessary or he user interface to the web client but keep he bulk of the data .e maintaining he ate of the program, the data etc) back on the application server. • RIAs typically: – run in a web browser, or do not require software installation – run locally in a secure environment called a sandbox
– can be “occasionally connected” wandering in and out of hot spots or from office to office. • The term was introduced by Macromedia in 2002 as a description for their way of connecting Flash MX (=Flash 6) applications to server components via RPC. • Before Flash MX: Sockets or loading data from text files (LoadVars) • The concept of RIAs is not really new: – RemoteScripting, X Internet, Rich web clients, Rich web application etc. RIAs – Benefits and Drawbacks • Benefits: – Rich user interfaces – Better client/server balance – Asynchronous communication • Restrictions/Drawbacks: – Security/Sandbox – Additional requirements (plugin, particular browser settings etc.) – Data control issues (who „owns“ the data of an application?). History of Flex and products. • Macromedia Flex 1.0 was released in 2004, Flex 1.5 in 2005 and Adobe Flex 2.0 finally in June/July 2006 • The idea of the Flex platform is to allow developers to use an XML language (MXML) together with a programming language (ActionScript 3) to develop and deploy Flash¬based Rich Internet Applications. • Flash Player – Runtime environment for .swf applications – Available for Windows, MacOS, Linux, various devices (PSP, Nintendo Wii), PDAs and mobile phones, very good penetration rate • Flash Authoring Environment – A „development“ environment to create .swf applications based on animation and movie
metaphors • Flex – „Flash for developers“ – a product line that allows developers to create Flash¬based applications • Flex 2 is an umbrella term for various products:
– Flex 2 SDK • Free SDK, consisting of the Flex 2 class library and command¬line
tools to work with. The free SDK allows to start developing Flex 2 based Rich Internet Applications without any costs or license fees.
– Flex Builder 2 • Eclipse¬based IDE for Flex 2 development – provides features such as syntax highlighting, code completion, built in compiler, code and design mode, built¬in debugger etc. – Flex 2 Charting Components • Additional class library containing UI components for charting purpose and building data dashboard applications – Flex 2 Data Services • FDS add enterprise messaging support and an enhanced data services architecture to the Flex 2 SDK…

Source: http://jug.wellington.net.nz/

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