Introduction to Flash Builder 4

Course:   FLASHB4
Duration:   5 Days
Level:   I
On our website at:   http://www.verhoef-training.com/courses/FLASHB4.html
 
Course Summary

Flex is quickly becoming the Web developers tool of choice for Rapid Application Development. Our Introduction to Flash Builder 4.0 class is designed for both the advanced programmer that is new to the Flash Platform and the beginning programmer. Students will learn how to develop Flex applications using the Flash Builder Integrated Development Environment. The concentration is on using the MXML language used by Flash Builder to create interfaces for Web applications including navigation controls, forms, images, text and special effects.

Taking this course will prepare the student for the Adobe Flex Builder 3 with AIR ACE Exam.

Topics Covered In This Course

Introduction to the Flash Platform

  • The Tools
  • The Frameworks
  • The Runtimes
  • The Servers
  • The Languages
  • The Protocols
  • The Services
  • How Are Flash Builder Applications Deployed
  • The Flash Builder Environment: An Eclipse Primer

Introduction to Object Oriented Programming

  • Classes
  • Objects
  • Properties
  • Methods
  • Events
  • Where are all of these objects?
  • The .swc file
  • Inheritence

Introduction to ActionScript 3.0

  • What is ActionScript?
  • History of the Flash Player
  • Variables
  • Functions
  • Constructor Function
  • Properties
  • Running a Flex/Flash Builder Application
  • Viewing the generated ActionScript
  • Building a Release version of your application

Creating Flash Builder Projects

  • Creating a Flash Builder Project
  • Understanding Project Structure
  • Managing Projects
  • Project Properties
  • Working with Projects
  • Lesson #5: Creating a Layout
  • Understanding Basic MXML Code
  • Understanding MXML and the Code Editor
  • Understanding MXML Layout
  • Creating a layout with containers
  • Testing Applications
  • Lesson #6: Using Components
  • Creating Components with MXML
  • Creating a Custom Component
  • Using Form Components
  • Using Custom Components

Styling the Application and its Components

  • Changing the Application Theme and Chrome
  • Writing Inline Styles
  • Converting Inline Styles to CSS
  • Writing CSS in an External Stylesheet
  • Writing CSS in the MXML File
  • Applying CSS Styles in the MXML File

Understanding View States

  • Creating a component with View States
  • Creating a View State
  • Invoking View State changes

Understanding Data Binding

  • Creating a simple databinding
  • Creating a complex databinding
  • Creating a two-way databinding

Understanding Events

  • Using Event Handlers
  • Using the addEventListener Method
  • Writing Event Handlers in Source Mode

Creating Effective Forms

  • Building a Simple Form
  • Validating Form Data
  • Adding Simple Data to Forms
  • Adding Simple Functionality to Forms

Creating Application Navigation

  • Understanding View Stacks
  • Navigating the View Stack Programmatically
  • Changing the View Stack Controller Component
  • Using Navigator Containers

Accessing Remote Data

  • Flash Builder Remote Procedure Calls
  • Create an HTTPService with MXML
  • Using the Network Monitor
  • Testing the HTTPService
  • Responding to the lastResult Property
  • Responding to the HTTPService result and fault events
  • Create an HTTPService with ActionScript
  • Create an HTTPService with the Service Wizard
  • Create a WebService with MXML
  • Create a WebService with the Service Wizard

Managing and Displaying Data

  • Managing Data with the ArrayCollection class
  • Create a data model with a value object
  • Using the Flash Builder Debugger
  • Displaying Data in a DataGrid
  • Managing data sets client-side
  • Using drop-in item editors
  • Using inline item editors
  • Using a custom component as an Item Renderer

Extending Events

  • Component to Application communication
  • Why Create Custom Events
  • Creating and Using Custom Events
  • Lesson #16: Transitions and Effects
  • Creating Transitions and Effects
  • Creating and Applying an Effect
  • Animating an Effect

Skinning Components

  • The Spark Component Architecture
  • Creating a Skin Class with MXML
  • Applying a Skin Class to an Object
  • Creating a Skin Class by Extending the SparkSkin Class

Debugging Applications

  • Bin-Debug vs. Bin-Release
  • Experience a runtime error
  • Debugging an Application
  • Using Trace Statements
  • Using Breakpoints
  • Using Conditional Breakpoints
  • Stepping through Code
  • Creating a Watched Expression
  • Watching the value of variables over time
  • Using Multiple Breakpoints and the Resume button

Creating Custom Components

  • Understanding the Flash Player
  • Understanding Frames
  • Phases of the Component Life Cycle
  • Creating a Simple Custom Component
  • Creating a Simple Custom Component
  • Instantiating a Custom Component
  • Creating a Complex Custom Component
  • Creating a Custom Component with ActionScript

Unit Testing Flex/Flash Builder Applications

  • Understanding Unit Testing
  • Creating a Unit Test
  • Writing the Unit Test
  • Running a Unit Test
  • Create an Application that uses the tested Class files

Profiling Flex/Flash Builder Applications

  • Understanding Garbage Collection
  • Using the Flex Profiler
  • Detecting Memory Leaks
What You Can Expect

After completing this course you will be able to:

Recommended Prerequisites

Some familiarity with Web Development and Web Applications (i.e. HTML,CSS, JavaScript, AJAX).

Every student attending a Verhoef Training class will receive a certificate good for $100 toward their next public class taken within a year.

You can also buy "Verhoef Vouchers" to get a discounted rate for a single student in any of our public or web-based classes. Contact your account manager or our sales office for details.