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Developing a FLASH interface 4 Alpha Five

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    Developing a FLASH interface 4 Alpha Five

    I have searched around and have not found an example of this, but then its not the easiest thing to search for.
    -
    I'm looking at upgrading a current Alpha Five website thats main page contains a Grid & Detail view, (There may be a requirement to increasse this to a gridlinker soon).
    Anyhow with both the Grid and Detail, I'm thinking of having just one custom field each that contains javascript, and an embedded swf. However the full quota of the original Grid+Detail controls will still exist only 100% hidden,
    Thus almost the full rendering of the page will be via FLASH,
    -
    What I'm asking Forum members is 1.) Can anyone categorically state that this is impossible.
    note: I don't want to start on something like this and find out someone else here realises why this is not possible
    2) Does anyone have any idea whethter I should wait till Ver10 is released before doing this?

    #2
    Re: Developing a FLASH interface 4 Alpha Five

    Can't say its impossible because can't figure out what you are asking. If its - can I convert an Alpha Grid and Detail to Flash and have them behave like an Alpha Grid and Detail, then I bet nobody has tried that.
    Steve Wood
    See my profile on IADN

    Comment


      #3
      Re: Developing a FLASH interface 4 Alpha Five

      Can't say its impossible because can't figure out what you are asking.
      I do understand that Steve, I typed the initial Post several times trying to find the best words to explain it. (I have a picture in my head of what I would like to achieve but putting it into words baffles me)
      --
      Code:
       If its - can I convert an Alpha Grid and Detail to Flash and have them behave like an Alpha Grid and Detail, then I bet nobody has tried that.
      Yes that is pretty much it.
      The Data in both Grid and Detail I believe would be better portrayed Graphically than in rows and columns of figures.
      So what I wish to do is load a Flash (swf movie) from the results of the Grid,,
      When the user makes a movement alteration to the SWF Movie the Grid refilters|| searches new information is passed to the hidden controls, which in turn update the visualization.
      To me it all seems possible just a lot of code and jumping from one development to another.

      Comment


        #4
        Re: Developing a FLASH interface 4 Alpha Five

        Colin,

        This is an interesting idea, but I have more questions than answers.

        You say "portrayed better". Better in what way...speed, color, resolution?

        Is your grid and/or detail mostly images? If so,then it might be the transitions that appear better?

        In version 10, the Ajax grid will be dramaticly different than today's grid. Are you sure you want to invest your time in V9?

        Pat
        Pat Bremkamp
        MindKicks Consulting

        Comment


          #5
          Re: Developing a FLASH interface 4 Alpha Five

          Passing and posting data from a Flash or Flex interface would be best handled with XML formatted data. It's quite easy to pass XML data using HTTP. In Alpha I'd forget about using a grid though. You will most likely need to code this up in Xbasic. I have looked into doing this with Alpha and Flex but it's so easy to do in Ruby on Rails that in was a no brainer to use Rails. Please keep in mind that I've been working with both Alpha and Rails now for a while and I'm quite familiar with the strengths and weaknesses of both.

          If Alpha natively supported input/output to XML over HTTP this would be quite simple to do in Alpha.
          Bob Moore


          Comment


            #6
            Re: Developing a FLASH interface 4 Alpha Five

            Pat,
            Ah Portrayed by this I mean
            Charts and Graphs, such as a Gantt chart in one of the main cases.
            The applicacation is a logistics program that makes use of a object orientated scalable logistics engine written in (you guessed it) XBASIC
            To make a Gantt chart with raw alpha five components is doable I'm sure but I think it will be more difficult and the result not that impressive.

            In version 10, the Ajax grid will be dramaticly different than today's grid. Are you sure you want to invest your time in V9?
            Darn Yes I'm curious as to what the version 10 will bring in respect to this,
            Most of my new Grids are actually AJAX(ified) now but it is a time consuming process, thus I'm presuming the javascript bit of this will bridge into flash.

            Comment


              #7
              Re: Developing a FLASH interface 4 Alpha Five

              Bob,
              Yeah I'd love to be involved with Ruby also, Associates of mine are become devout followers in droves it seems.
              Yes Flash has been XML friendly for almost a decade now.
              If Alpha natively supported input/output to XML over HTTP this would be quite simple to do in Alpha.
              Yes currently XML is quite laborious to use as is.
              -
              The main reason I would like to use a grid is simply Laziness and to be honest the out of the box code with the grids etc, often out, perform my own code.
              -
              Flex is New to me. From my historic Flash knowledge, I know how to basically communicate - XBASIC -> Javascript -> ActionScript and the reverse using some AJAX.
              Is the Flex Methodology really much better Bob?

              Comment


                #8
                Re: Developing a FLASH interface 4 Alpha Five

                Colin,

                It's a different mindset.

                Flex was designed to allow traditional, procedural programmers to tap into Flash. It's also much more "team" friendly.

                A lot of programmers have had trouble adjusting to Flash, with it's timeline and all. Without strict programming guidelines it's easy to make some real spaghetti code in Flash. In fact, I've worked on some projects where the code was placed all over the timeline and it took many hours to unravel.

                Here's a brief overview of Flex off of Adobe's website :

                "Flex applications are Flash applications.
                Flex is a programmer-centric way to create Flash-based rich internet applications.
                Flex applications are rendered using Flash Player 9.
                Like all Flash RIAs, Flex SWF files are processed by the client, rather than the server.
                The Flex framework contains the predefined class libraries and application services necessary to create Flex applications.
                The framework is available in a free SDK and the Eclipse-based IDE named Flex Builder.
                The framework includes a compiler that is available as a standalone tool or as part of Flex Builder.
                The class libraries and application services provide developers with standard components and tools for quick application development.
                Standard UI components can be extended and customized.
                Flex applications are written using MXML and/or ActionScript.
                MXML is an XML-based markup language that is primarily used to layout application display elements.
                ActionScript is an ECMAScript-compliant object-oriented programming language that is primarily used for application logic.
                MXML and ActionScript code are compiled into binary SWF files."


                Is it much better ? Better than Ajax and DHTML? Well that all depends on what you are building. You can't beat the development speed of Ajax / DHTML. In Rails, Ajax support is built in and the Prototype and Scriptaculous libraries are fully supported. This makes cross browser support for Ajax/DHTML quite reliable and you can build some very nice web apps with this set of tools. That said, Flash/Flex offer a much more compelling set of tools for building what I would consider visual interfaces. If you need charts, graphs, etc. Flash/Flex is the way to go. And then there's Adobe Air, but that's a whole new discussion!!

                You can also build a hybrid application that includes both technologies.
                Bob Moore


                Comment


                  #9
                  Re: Developing a FLASH interface 4 Alpha Five

                  Without strict programming guidelines it's easy to make some real spaghetti code in Flash. In fact, I've worked on some projects where the code was placed all over the timeline and it took many hours to unravel.
                  Bob,
                  Last Millennium I had a contract with a minor games studio.
                  My Job was to hand repack SWF files to make them smaller and faster.
                  This was caused by the fact the Studio employed a lot of good Artists who were hopeless at creating useful files. Thus I have seen my share of super bloated swf files. I guess that's why swf is no longer an acronym for Small Web File.
                  Adobe Air
                  Yes Just be reading a bit on this. A number of times I have seen on these boards queries on how to run Alpha Five on mobile devices, I wonder if this might be the gateway.
                  --- Anyhow
                  Flex SWF files are processed by the client, rather than the server
                  Ok so still I should be able to go
                  XBASIC --> Javascript --> Flex --> Flash
                  -
                  And calling back
                  Flash->Flex-> Javascript -> [AJAX] -> XBasic

                  Am I correct in this assumption Bob?

                  Comment


                    #10
                    Re: Developing a FLASH interface 4 Alpha Five

                    Colin,

                    You may be able to skip Javascript if you can develop the Xbasic input and output routines to handle the XML for Flex. Other than that, I believe your assumptions are correct.

                    For mobile devices, take a look at Apples' new development environment for the iPhone which looks interesting. Most likely something can be accomplished with Xbasic and Alpha handling the server side.
                    Bob Moore


                    Comment


                      #11
                      Re: Developing a FLASH interface 4 Alpha Five

                      Thank you Bob,
                      Will keep you posted as per my progress. :-)
                      This looks like it will be interesting

                      Comment


                        #12
                        Re: Developing a FLASH interface 4 Alpha Five

                        Good luck Colin, keep us posted.

                        Here's a link for inspiration: http://www.adobe.com/devnet/flex/tourdeflex/
                        Bob Moore


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