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Working with Flex

http://intuitlabs.com/blog/archive/2009/02/working-with-flex/

Adobe’s Flex is a development environment for both Web and Desktop applications. Intuit has created a Flex-based SDK for QuickBase for use with the new Intuit Partner Platform, making it a fast and easy way to build rich internet applications. I’ve used a lot of languages, from x86 assembly, Basic, VB, Turbo C, Delphi, C++, Java & Javascript, PHP, .Net… and more. One thing I’ve learned is that with newer languages with large, complex object frameworks (like .Net and Java), it is best to spend the time going through the tutorials so that you can learn the development environments and get grounded on the framework. So when I wanted to port a PHP-based QuickBase app to IPP, I decided to go through Adobe’s Flex in a Week video training. Good stuff. Back when I started programming in 1979, I created games. One of them that I built I called “5 minute space invaders”, because it usually took me about 5 minutes to create the game on almost any computer I started using. The great thing about game programming is that you learn about concurrent operations, graphics, and keyboard and/or mouse events. Business rules and problems are easy after that. So, of course, my first Flex app is an adaptation of my 5 minute space invader game. It took me quite a bit longer than 5 minutes, but I must admit that I spent a little bit of time getting a nicer looking invader that was animated. The picture is one I took when I visited the Grand Canyon. The Flex SDK and compiler is actually free, but you have to pay for the Flex Builder development environment. It’s worth it if you are going to build IPP-based apps.

February 24 2009, 1:06pm | Comments »

I posted to delicious.com