DLG Software

This page provides information on the Flex apps I've created to demo Flex capabilities. To launch a demo app just click on its name.

Flex3 Tips and Traps (FTT)

FTT is my main demo app. It surfaces a searchable db of Flex3/AS3 'tips and traps' — an informal repository of tips on best practices, efficient coding techniques, known bugs and workarounds. It employs many MVC principles, including aspects of both PureMVC and Cairngorm. Below is a summary of what FTT explores, for detailed info use the "About" option from within the application.  NOTE:  FTT is now 'View Source' enabled.

Summary of what FTT explores/demonstrates:

• Flex/RIA design such as maintaining state on the client using a Singleton data model, loosely coupling using Flex events, segregating layout and logic using Code Behind, etc.
• CRUD functionality to a MySQL datastore through PHP
• Class creation - FTT employs numerous custom classes, both MXML and AS, including use of UIC lifecyle methods like commitProperties, updateDisplayList, etc.
• Integration of external class libraries - FTT makes heavy use of FlexLib, including its Multiple Document Interface (MDI)
• Use of ItemRenderers/ItemEditors - FTT employs drop-ins, inlines, and custom renderers/editors, with emphasis on use in a DataGrid
• Use of Flex's wide variety of components (especially DataGrid and Tree) and dynamic layout to gracefully handle browser resizing
• XML, especially use of e4x, including dynamic generation of hierarchical XMLCollection from linear ArrayCollection
• Other... Deep Linking, dynamic load/unload of style SWFs, applying effects/behaviors, using sound assets, enhancing TextArea controls' htmlText capabilities using the styleSheet property, much more...

Flex Explorations (FlexEx)

Like FTT, the FlexEx demo app explores RIA implementation of some classic application functionality (e.g., drag and drop). However, it also explores more web-centric features (e.g., RSS feeds) and some of the more playful aspects of Flex (e.g., effects and animation).

Flex Data Presentation

When presenting data in Flex list-based controls you have enormous control over data presentation though custom renderers and editors. This demo app illustrates some of what can be done with renderers/editors in various list-based classes including List, TileList, Tree, ComboBox, and DataGrid.

Also see the primer on Wrapper, Embedding, ExternalInterface, LocalConnection and SharedObjects, which includes several Flex 'applets' which illustrate these concepts.