Foundation Flash MX Applications

This book provides the richest and most solid introduction to the exciting world of Flash applications, which are becoming increasingly popular as ways of presenting visually rich interfaces to useful data and services. __Foundation Flash MX Applications__ supplies you with the knowledge, techniques, and skills that you need to help you plan, develop, and build Flash-based applications that you can deploy on the Web. In true Foundation series style, this book uses step-by-step exercises and a running case study to build skills that you can then apply to any Flash application you create. The emphasis in this book is on the generic skills and approaches that are essential in this field, rather than on shallow walk-throughs of trivial projects. You'll come away from this book with a deeper understanding of the issues (architectural, technical, process-related, design-oriented) that are key to developing successful Flash applications for the Web. This is the only book on the market that focuses on generic, transferable skills that are taught using a case study that'll really drive the learning home. If you want to really understand this subject, then this is the book for you. To get the most out of this book, we recommend that you already have a grasp of the Flash MX interface, as well as some ActionScript experience. Topics include: * A full-length case study, creating a dynamic Flash message board application. * Designing usable, scalable, and interactive Flash-based applications. * Deploying XML for client/server communication. * Using PHP as an intermediary between XML and back-end data storage. * The MySQL database.

this Book Provides The Richest And Most Solid Introduction To The Exciting World Of Flash Applications, Which Are Becoming Increasingly Popular As Ways Of Presenting Visually Rich Interfaces To Useful Data And Services. The Book Supplies You With The Knowledge, Techniques, And Skills That You Need To Help You Plan, Develop, And Build Flash-based Applications That You Can Deploy On The Web.

in True Foundation Series Style, This Book Uses Step By Step Exercises And A Running Case Study To Build The Skills That You Can Then Apply To Any Flash Application You Create. The Emphasis In This Book Is On The Generic Skills And Approaches That Are Essential In This Field, Rather Than On Shallow Walk-throughs Of Trivial Projects. You'll Come Away From This Book With A Deeper Understanding Of The Issues (architectural, Technical, Process-related, Design-oriented) That Are Key To Developing Successful Flash Applications For The Web.

this Is The Only Book On The Market That Focuses On Generic, Transferable Skills That Are Taught Using A Case Study That'll Really Drive The Learning Home. If You Want To Really Understand This Subject, Then This Is The Book For You. To Get The Most Out Of This Book, We Recommend That You Already Have A Grasp Of The Flash Mx Interface, As Well As Some Actionscript Experience.

topics Include:

a Full-length Case Study, Creating A Dynamic Flash Message Board Application.

designing Usable, Scalable, And Interactive Flash-based Applications.

deploying Xml For Client/server Communication.

using Php As An Intermediary Between Xml And Back-end Data Storage.

the Mysql Database.

summary Of Contents

section 1: Framework

1 Essential Concepts

2 Flash Applications: In Detail

section 2: Building The Application

3 Structural Elements

4 Building The Flashblog Templates

5 Developing The Message Display Module

6 User Interface Components

7 Behind The Scenes I: Php

8 Behind The Scenes Ii: Mysql And Data Storage

9 Flashblog: Plugging It Together

10 Interface Design

section 3: Further Resources

11 Departure Lounge

appendix A &emdash; Installing Apache, Php, And Mysql

appendix B &emdash; Php Resources

This book aims to give you a solid foundation in the planning, technical skills, and technological insight required for building dynamic and interactive Flash-based applications. By the end of the book, you'll understand how to combine the different elements of a Flash application together in order to build visually appealing and usable Flash interfaces that interact with server-side scripting languages and database systems to provide an enhanced user experience. Through a series of detailed step-by-step creative exercises, you'll learn how to build user interfaces in Flash, use XML to communicate between the Flash Player and the server, and deploy the PHP server-side scripting language to create a dynamic application. This will also be backed up with a thorough grounding in the concepts of designing Flash-based applications for the Web, incorporating effective application project development and designing usable solutions. Aims and philosophy As its title suggests, the aim of this book is to provide you with a solid foundation in the design, development, and technical implementation of Flash applications. This is too complex and large a subject to detail definitively from scratch in 1000 pages, let alone half that. We give you a solid foundation in the skills required to effectively develop and build a Flash application, giving you the technical insight to take this further and build your own applications in the future. Front Matter....Pages i-x Introduction....Pages 1-4 Front Matter....Pages 6-6 Essential Concepts....Pages 7-24 Flash applications: in detail....Pages 27-65 Front Matter....Pages 66-66 Structural Elements....Pages 67-125 Building the FlashBlog templates....Pages 127-153 Developing the Message Display Module....Pages 155-187 User Interface Components....Pages 189-222 Behind the scenes I: PHP....Pages 225-291 Behind the Scenes II: MySQL and Data Storage....Pages 293-347 FlashBlog: Plugging it together....Pages 349-451 Interface design....Pages 453-533 Front Matter....Pages 534-534 Departure Lounge....Pages 535-552 Back Matter....Pages 554-592