Course Overview
Learn the differences between the new versions and how to retrofit existing Flex 3 applications to work within Flash Builder 4 in this two day training workshop.
This training includes several key features that are new to Flex 4. Get new information about skinning applications, working Spark Components and more. During the workshop you will take a real application* and convert it to work with the latest version of Flex.
- This course is normally a two day training, but can be made into a one day course if the real application portion is removed.
Course Outline
UNDERSTANDING FLEX 4 FUNDAMENTALS
- Understanding new Adobe Flex namespaces
- Understanding the new Flex component model
- Migrating a Flex 3 project to Flex 4
UNDERSTANDING COMPONENTS AND LAYOUTS
- Introducing Spark layout classes
- Introducing the Spark container classes
- Adding scrollbars to Spark containers
CONTROLLING NAVIGATION
- Understanding MX navigator containers
- Using a Spark container inside MX navigator containers
- Creating custom navigation for the ViewStack container
FLEX 4 STATES
- Understanding view states
- Controlling view states
FLEX 4 EFFECTS AND ANIMATION
- Applying effects to components
- Creating composite effects
- Applying transitions to application state changes
- Adding and removing components during animations
FLEX 4 STYLES
- Creating global application styles
- Defining styles and skins for components
- Introducing Advanced CSS selectors
SKINNING SPARK COMPONENTS
- Introducing skinning
- Incorporating visual elements drawn in other programs
- Changing the default display of skin parts
IMPLEMENTING ADVANCED SKINNING TECHNIQUES
- Implementing different visual states for a skin
- Accessing custom component properties from a skin
- Adding scrollbars to skins
RENDERING CONTENT WITH THE SPARK DATAGROUP CONTAINER
- Displaying string data in an item renderer
- Passing UI components in the data provider
- Creating a custom item renderer
- Using the SkinnableDataContainer
DISPLAYING DATA USING THE DATAGRID
- Using the DataGrid control
- Specifying DataGrid control columns
- Formatting DataGrid control columns
- Using item renderers and item editors
- Item renderer and item editor components
- Using Spark components with a Datagrid
- Using events and selected items with a DataGrid component
SKINNING SPARK COMPONENTS
- Introducing skinning
- Incorporating visual elements drawn in other programs
- Changing the default display of skin parts
IMPLEMENTING ADVANCED SKINNING TECHNIQUES
- Implementing different visual states for a skin
- Accessing custom component properties from a skin
- Adding scrollbars to skins
ACCESSING REMOTE DATA
- Using HTTPService to load remote data
- Handling returned data and faults
- Making HTTP requests with parameters
- Using the wizards
CREATING A TYPED DATA MODEL
- Understanding the need for a typed data model
- Creating an ActionScript class for typed data
- Populating an ArrayCollection with value objects
- Understanding data bindings with value objects
- Refactoring value objects
EXTENDING EVENTS
- Understanding the problem with bindings
- Defining the event type
- Handling the event in the main application
- Extending the Event class
- Using the extended event class
- Dispatching a value object with the extended event
- Overriding the clone method
RENDERING CONTENT WITH THE DATAGROUP CONTAINER
- Displaying string data in an item renderer
- Passing UI components in the data provider
- Creating a custom item renderer
- Using the SkinnableDataContainer
DISPLAYING DATA USING THE DATAGRID
- Using the DataGrid control
- Specifying DataGrid control columns
- Formatting DataGrid control columns
- Using item renderers and item editors
- Inline item renderers and item editors
- Item renderer and item editor components
- Using events and selected items with a DataGrid component
DEPLOYING FLEX AND AIR APPLICATIONS
- Compiling the Flex application
- Creating a Flex application production build
- Creating a release build
- Creating a desktop application
Prerequisites
Moving to Flex 4 Workshop Course Prerequisites
- Have attended Flex 3 Developing Rich Client Applications, or have equivalent knowledge of the topics covered in Flex 3 Developing Rich Client Applications.