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Adobe Flex for SAP developers

Learn how to use Flex Builder and the Flex framework to add rich data visualization to SAP applications.

To make the most of the following resources, you will need the following software:

Flex Builder 3

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Explore rich Internet applications

Introduction

In 2002, Macromedia coined the term rich Internet application (RIA) to refer to a dynamic web experience that is rich and engaging, as well as interactive. This section introduces SAP developers to the power of RIAs created with Adobe Flash and Adobe Flex and rendered with the Adobe Flash Player and Adobe AIR runtimes.

Experience rich Internet applications

1. Website: Nike Air built with Adobe Flash
2. Website: FotoFlexer built with Adobe Flex
3. Website: eBay Desktop deployed on Adobe AIR

Compare Adobe Flash, Flex, Flash Player, and Adobe AIR

Learn the differences between these related Adobe products and understand why programmers prefer Adobe Flex, and designers prefer Adobe Flash, for creating RIAs.

1. Video: Comparing Flash Flex, Flash Player, and AIR (5 minutes)

Create engaging user experiences for SAP software

This presentation describes how RIAs are enhancing SAP user interfaces. It also includes examples of real-world implementations of the technologies for SAP customers.

1. Slide deck: Creating Engaging Experiences for SAP Software (3.3 MB)

Use RIAs in Web Dynpro

Thomas Jung of SAP discusses the future of RIAs with Web Dynpro.

1. Video: Using RIAs in Web Dynpro (1 min)

Find more RIA resources

1. Website: Flex Showcase on Flex.org
2. White papers: Analysts reports on RIAs
3. Article series: Anatomy of a Flex RIA
4. Website: InsideRIA (O'Reilly Media)
5. Blog post: When to use Flex and Ajax together

Develop Rich Islands for Adobe Flash

Introduction

Rich Islands for Adobe Flash can be integrated into SAP Web Dynpro applications, but are not created with the SAP development tools. SAP users should use Adobe Flex Builder to create Rich Islands for Adobe Flash. Note: SAP developers who already use NetWeaver Developer Studio should consider using the Eclipse plug-in version of Flex Builder 3. Both development environments are Eclipse-based, and work seamlessly together.

Download the free Flex SDK

The Adobe Flex 3 Software Development Kit (SDK) includes the Flex framework (component class library) and Flex compiler, enabling you to develop and deploy Flex applications using an IDE of your choice.

1. Web page: Download the Adobe Flex SDK

Download Adobe Flex Builder 3

You can accelerate application development with Adobe Flex Builder 3 software, which is an Eclipse-based development environment that comes in both Standard and Professional editions.

1. Web page: Download Adobe Flex Builder

Get an overview of Flex Builder

1. Video: Get an introduction to the Flex Builder interface and features. (7 minutes)

Set up a Flex Builder workspace and project

1. Video: Step through creating a workspace and projects in Flex Builder. (7 minutes)

Learn the programming languages of Flex and Flash

Introduction

Flex applications are created with two programming languages: MXML and ActionScript. MXML is an XML-based language that is primarily used for UI elements. ActionScript is used to for programming and business logic.

Understand MXML

1. Video: Learn about the Flex XML-based tag library called MXML. (4 minutes)

Code with MXML and ActionScript

1. Tutorial: Learn how MXML and ActionScript work together to form the Flex coding environment.

ActionScript 3 Primer

1. Slide deck/Website: Get a basic understanding of the concepts behind ActionScript 3.0 from Grant Skinner.

Create a Flex application

Explore the pre-built components

The Flex framework contains pre-built components. Interactively explore these components, and the code that implements their functionality, in the Adobe Flex Component Explorer.

1. Flex RIA: Flex Component Explorer

Use pre-built Flex controls

1. Video: Learn to use and modify pre-built Flex controls to create a data collection form. (4 minutes)

Use controls

1. Tutorial: Learn to use common Flex controls, including text-based, button-based, and list-based controls.

Work with containers

1. Video: Use containers to control the size and positioning of Flex application elements. (12 minutes)

Use containers

1. Tutorial: Learn to use layout and navigation containers.

Position and lay out Flex components

1. Tutorial: Understand absolute and relative positioning, as well as constraint-based layout.

Bind data between controls

1. Video: Learn how to bind values from one control to another. (5 minutes)

Handle user events

1. Video: Learn to handle user events on pre-built Flex controls. (6 minutes)

Use data binding

1. Tutorial: Learn the primary approaches for tying data in one Flex control to another.

Integrate Rich Islands for Adobe Flash into Web Dynpro

Rich Islands for Adobe Flash demos and tutorials

SAP has created a series of tutorials, which includes videos and step-by-step guides for integrating Rich Islands with Web Dynpro.

1. Wiki: Rich Islands for Adobe Flash wiki on the SAP Community Network

Customize the look and feel of Flex applications

Style and customize pre-built Flex components

1. Flex RIA: See how to style Flex components to match your custom RIA with the interactive Flex Style Explorer.

Skin and animate Flex applications

1. Videos and Exercises: Learn how to change the look and feel of Flex islands

Appendices: Deepen your Flex knowledge

Appendix A: Create accessible Flex applications

1. Website: Adobe Flex accessibility home
2. Website: Flex accessibility best practices
3. Website: Using Flex with JAWS
4. Slide deck: Developing accessible Flex applications (Andrew Kirkpatrick)

Appendix B: Build multilingual applications

1. Video: Localizing Flex applications (5 minutes) (Enrique Duvos)

Appendix C: Delve deeper into Flex

1. Website: Adobe Flex Developer Center (primary resource for Flex developers)
2. Videos and exercises: Flex in a Week
3. Documentation: Adobe Flex 3 Language Reference
4. Best practices: Flex SDK coding conventions and best practices
5. Flex Learning Paths: Goal- and task-based learning for Designers/Developers, Programmers, Architects, Managers