Macromedia flex builder-using flex builder User Manual
18
Chapter 1: Getting Started with Flex Builder
Macromedia website resources
The Macromedia website contains the following resources to support Flex developers:
Flex Builder support pages
on the Macromedia website at
latest information on Flex Builder, plus advice from expert users, examples, tips, updates, and
information on advanced topics.
information on advanced topics.
The Flex Support Center
on the Macromedia website at
provides information on Flex technology.
The Flex Documentation Center
on the Macromedia website at
provides product manuals, tutorials, and articles about Flex.
Macromedia Developer Center
on the Macromedia website at
provides tools, tutorials, and more for all Macromedia products.
The Flex online forum
on the Macromedia website at
What you need to build Flex applications
To develop and test Flex applications with Flex Builder, you need a computer running Microsoft
Windows 2000 or Windows XP. For more information, see
Windows 2000 or Windows XP. For more information, see
.
You also need the Flex server (see
), which requires the
following software:
•
An HTTP web server (see
•
A J2EE application server (see
)
You can quickly set up a Flex server by using the HTTP web server and J2EE server installed with
the Flex server. For added convenience, you can install and run this software on the same
computer as Flex Builder. For more information, see
the Flex server. For added convenience, you can install and run this software on the same
computer as Flex Builder. For more information, see
.
You can also configure the Flex server to work with third-party web servers and J2EE servers. For
more information, see the Flex installation guide on the Macromedia website at
more information, see the Flex installation guide on the Macromedia website at
, or consult your system administrator. Generally, it’s best
to match your development environment to your production environment as closely as possible.
For example, if you use Tomcat in your production environment, you may want to configure
your development environment around Tomcat.
For example, if you use Tomcat in your production environment, you may want to configure
your development environment around Tomcat.
A Flex best practice is to place the code implementing the functionality or business rules of the
application in a business layer. Flex is designed for building the presentation layer (or user
interface) of multi-tier enterprise applications. There is no inherent database support. To access
databases, you must connect your presentation layer to a business layer. For more information, see
application in a business layer. Flex is designed for building the presentation layer (or user
interface) of multi-tier enterprise applications. There is no inherent database support. To access
databases, you must connect your presentation layer to a business layer. For more information, see
. The development of the business and data layers is beyond the
scope of this guide.