About Flex
9
Flex adds new functionality and options to the n-tier model. The following figure shows the same
five tiers for a Flex application:
In Flex, Flash Player provides the platform for interface development so that both client and
presentation tier logic executes on the client computer. Flex applications that execute in Flash
Player process user interactions; perform data validation; issue HTTP, SOAP, AMF requests; and
perform other operations previously performed on the server. Because Flash Player runs
consistently across all major operating systems and browsers, you do not have to program your
applications for a specific browser or platform.
Note:
You can still develop presentation-tier logic for the server as part of your application, and
connect to that logic from the client.
The Flex server executes on a J2EE platform or servlet container, and provides the integration
point for Flex applications to server-side functionality. The Flex server also includes the Flex
compiler, caching mechanism, and web service proxy.
You do not need to modify the business and integration tiers to integrate with Flex. This means
that you code the business and back-end functionality in the same way you did for your existing
applications. Flex lets you connect to your back-end systems and application logic using web
services, HTTP, EJBs, or other methods.
Benefits of using Flex
Historically, most Internet application interfaces are built in HTML. Because HTML
applications are page-based, they demand complete page refreshes when information is submitted
to a server, as well as when a client navigates from one page to another. Each page load uses
network bandwidth and server resources. In addition, application logic typically executes on the
server rather than on the client, which requires a server request and response to process any data.
Client and presentation tiers
running on the client
Business and integration tiers
Resource tier
Flash Player running
Flex applications
Flex server
Java Beans
EJBs
Web services
J2EE server/servlet container
HTTP/SOAP/AMF
Summary of Contents for FLEX-GETTING STARTED WITH FLEX
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