book

Flex 3 in Action

Name: Flex 3 in Action
ISBN: 9781933988740

by Jon Hirschi, Faisal Abid, Tariq Ahmed

February 2009

Intermediate to advanced

576 pages

14h 40m

English

Manning Publications

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Copyright
Foreword
Preface
Acknowledgments
About this book
RoadmapCode downloads and conventionsAuthor OnlineAbout the authorsAbout the titleAbout the cover illustration
1. Application basics
1. Introduction to Flex
1.1. Why are web applications so prolific?1.2. Prolific, but at a price1.3. The RIA solution1.3.1. They all want it all1.3.2. RIAs to the rescue1.3.3. How RIAs do it1.4. The RIA contenders1.4.1. Flex by Adobe1.4.2. Silverlight by Microsoft1.4.3. JavaFX by Sun Microsystems1.5. Flex vs. web applications1.5.1. Web applications are based on documents1.5.2. The role of browsers as transfer stations and document renderers1.5.3. RWAs—the last stand1.5.4. Cross-platform issues1.5.5. Where’s the richness?1.5.6. AJAX communication limitsAMF3—The Secret Weapon1.5.7. Apples and oranges1.6. Becoming acquainted with Flex1.6.1. Taking advantage of Adobe FlashWhy not do it in Flash?1.6.2. Flex and JavaScript can play together1.6.3. The Flex ecosystemA Blurb on AirA Blurb on Blazeds1.6.4. How Flex worksThe Development Life Cycle1.6.5. Events, events, events1.7. What’s new in Flex 31.8. Summary
2. Getting started
2.1. Flex on the cheap2.1.1. Setting up the compile environment2.1.2. Setting up the editing environmentAptana Studio2.1.3. Next steps (if you’re still interested)Another Neat Tool (ANT) + Flex ANT TasksThings to Consider2.2. Get serious with Flex Builder2.2.1. Product and pricing matrix2.2.2. Getting Flex Builder2.3. Exploring Flex BuilderNavigator (1)Source Code Editor (2)Application Outline View (3)The Wizards (4)Application Launcher (5)Bottom Pane (6)Source and Design View (7)2.4. Views and perspectives2.4.1. Out-of-the-box perspectivesDevelopment PerspectiveDebugging PerspectiveProfiling Perspective2.4.2. Switching perspectives2.4.3. Customizing perspectivesModify the LayoutAdd a View to the Layout2.5. Our first project—Hello World!2.5.1. Create the project2.5.2. Entering code2.5.3. Compile and run2.5.4. Making it real2.6. Using design mode2.7. Built-in help2.7.1. Object-oriented languages and their APIs2.7.2. Accessing the API ReferenceDynamic HelpSHIFT+F2 Help2.7.3. Perusing API Reference2.8. MXML and ActionScript in a nutshell2.8.1. The structure of MXML2.8.2. How MXML and ActionScript relate2.8.3. Events are handled by ActionScriptAlmost the Same as in JavascriptAlmost the Same, But Actionscript has an Event Object2.9. Summary
3. Working with ActionScript
3.1. Comments3.1.1. Inline comments3.1.2. Block comments3.2. Variables3.2.1. Variable names3.2.2. Strict data typing3.2.3. Static vs. dynamic type checking3.2.4. Primitive and complex data typesPrimitive Data TypesInts vs. NumbersComplex Data TypesSpecial Data Types3.3. Loops3.3.1. For (starting value; valid condition; increment)3.3.2. For (property names in array/object)3.3.3. For each (item in array/object)3.3.4. While (condition)3.3.5. Do while (condition)3.4. Conditional statements (if statements and switches)3.4.1. If..else3.4.2. Switch3.5. Arrays3.5.1. Indexed arraysA Closer Looked at Splice()Shorthand Initialization of ArraysLooping Through Arrays3.5.2. Associative arraysDot Notation3.6. ActionScript tidbits3.6.1. Braces3.6.2. Logical operators and shortcutsBasic Comparative OperatorsMathematical Operators3.7. Sneak peek at functions, classes, and packages3.7.1. Your own functionsCreating our Own FunctionCDATAImporting PackagesReturning a Value3.7.2. Separating ActionScript to individual files3.8. Simple data binding3.8.1. Once again, it is about events3.8.2. Bidirectional binding3.9. Summary
4. Layout and containers
4.1. Absolute layout4.2. Constraint-based layout4.2.1. Basic constraints4.2.2. Enhanced constraints2-Column Fixed Slice2-Column Fixed Slice with Both Left and Right Constraints2-Row Mixed Slice with Both Top and Bottom Constraints2-Rows + 2 Columns with OffsetsUsing Content-Sized ConstraintsYou Get the Idea4.3. Automatic layout4.4. Variable and fixed sizing4.4.1. Variable sizing4.4.2. Fixed Sizing4.5. Containers4.5.1. Application container4.5.2. Canvas container4.5.3. Box, HBox, and VBox containers4.5.4. Panel container4.5.5. ApplicationControlBar and ControlBar containers4.5.6. DividedBox, HDividedBox, and VDividedBox containers4.5.7. Form container4.5.8. Grid container4.5.9. Tile container4.6. Dynamic layout with Repeaters4.6.1. dataProvider sneak peek4.6.2. Properties and events of a Repeater4.6.3. Creating the Repeater4.6.4. Working with Repeater events4.7. Summary

5. Displaying forms and capturing user input
5.1. The id attribute5.2. Text controls5.3. Date controls5.4. Numeric controls5.5. Buttons5.5.1. Bars of Buttons5.5.2. The PopUpButton and PopUpMenuButton5.6. Picklist controls5.7. Accessing the control’s value5.7.1. Passing values to a function5.7.2. Passing events to a function5.7.3. Accessing properties directly5.7.4. Which approach to use?5.8. Summary
6. Validating user input
6.1. Overview of validation6.2. Built-in validators6.2.1. Validator6.2.2. StringValidator6.2.3. NumberValidator6.2.4. DateValidator6.2.5. EmailValidator6.2.6. CreditCardValidator6.2.7. CurrencyValidator6.2.8. PhoneNumberValidator6.2.9. RegExpValidator6.2.10. SocialSecurityValidator6.2.11. ZipCodeValidator6.3. Real-time validation6.4. Committed value validation6.5. Pass-through validation6.6. Scripted validation6.7. Validation tidbits6.7.1. Does a validator always check all criteria?6.7.2. Validating what was entered vs. criteria matching6.7.3. Controlling what triggers validation6.8. Summary
7. Formatting data
7.1. Built-in formatters7.1.1. Formatter7.1.2. NumberFormatter7.1.3. CurrencyFormatter7.1.4. DateFormatterUsing xml with the DateFormatter7.1.5. PhoneFormatter7.1.6. ZipCodeFormatter7.1.7. SwitchSymbolFormatter7.2. Real-time formatting7.3. Scripted formatting7.3.1. Using a function with a formatter component7.3.2. Using a function with a formatter class7.4. Working with formatting errors7.5. Summary
8. DataGrids, lists, and trees
8.1. List genealogy8.1.1. ListBase and AdvancedListBase’s properties8.1.2. ListBase events8.2. The dataProvider and collections8.2.1. Feeding the dataProvider8.2.2. Types of collections8.2.3. Users of collections8.3. Initializing collections8.4. Populating collections8.4.1. ListInvoking a ListSpecifying a Label8.4.2. HorizontalList8.4.3. TileListDirectionsInvoking a TileListTileList Vs. Tile8.4.4. DataGridInvoking a DataGridControlling SortabilitySpecifying Column Titles with DataGridColumn8.4.5. TreeHierarchical DataInvoking a TreeUsing a Single Root XML Document8.4.6. AdvancedDataGridInvoking an AdvancedDataGridUsing Multicolumn SortingDisplaying Hierarchical DataUsing Hierarchical ArrayCollectionsUsing Flat Data for HierarchyGrouping Columns8.5. Interacting with lists8.5.1. List events8.5.2. Passing the event to a function8.5.3. Passing data to a function8.5.4. Accessing the selected row directly8.5.5. Binding to a selected row8.5.6. Using a different event as a trigger8.6. Summary
9. List customization
9.1. Label functions9.1.1. Types of label functionsSingle-Column Label FunctionMulticolumn Label FunctionThey’re not just for Lists9.1.2. Using a single-column label function9.1.3. Using a multicolumn label function9.1.4. Ideas for label functions9.2. Item renderers9.2.1. Types of renderers9.2.2. Creating a (regular) item renderer9.2.3. Adding logic to an item rendererOne Slight Gotcha9.2.4. Creating an inline item renderer9.2.5. Using drop-in item renderers9.3. Item editors9.3.1. Enabling item editing9.3.2. Creating an item editor9.3.3. Item-editing eventsUsing ItemEditBeginningUsing ItemEditBeginUsing ItemEditEnd9.4. Combining an item editor and item renderer9.5. Advanced item renderers9.5.1. The AdvancedDataGridRendererProvider9.5.2. Referencing the columnBy IDBy Index9.5.3. Spanning columns9.5.4. Spanning an entire row9.6. Filter functions9.7. Summary
2. Application flow and structure
10. Events
10.1. The event system10.1.1. Event system—the Postal Service10.1.2. Event-delivery system10.1.3. Set your phases on stun10.2. Sending and receiving events10.2.1. Adding event listeners10.2.2. Keying into binding events10.2.3. Removing event listeners10.3. Custom events10.3.1. Using the dispatcher to send an event10.3.2. Creating custom events10.3.3. Stopping event propagation10.3.4. Adding event metadata to components10.4. Summary
11. Application navigation
11.1. Feeding the data provider for menus and menu bars11.1.1. Nested arrays11.1.2. Nested array collections11.1.3. Models11.1.4. XML component and class11.1.5. XMLList component11.1.6. XMLListCollection component and class11.1.7. Choosing a data type for the data provider11.2. Working with menus11.2.1. Creating a menu11.2.2. Positioning the menu11.2.3. Customizing menu items11.3. Using a menu bar11.3.1. Creating a menu bar11.3.2. Positioning the menu bar11.3.3. Customizing items in the menu bar11.3.4. Handling user interactions with menu bars11.4. Using view stacks11.4.1. Creating a view stack11.4.2. Adding navigation to the view stackDo-it-Yourself11.4.3. Determining which stack is selected11.4.4. Handling user interactions with view stacks11.5. TabNavigator11.5.1. Creating a tab navigator11.5.2. Handling user interactions with a tab navigatorPassing the Event to a Function11.6. Accordion11.6.1. Creating an accordion11.6.2. Populating an accordionBreaking Down a formUsing a List in an Accordion11.6.3. Handling user interactions with an accordion11.7. Summary
12. Introduction to pop-ups
12.1. Creating your first pop-up12.1.1. First things first: create your title window12.1.2. Using PopUpManager to open the window12.1.3. Closing the pop-up12.2. Controlling the window location12.2.1. Using the centerPopUp() method12.2.2. Calculating window placement12.3. Setting window transparency12.4. Data integration with pop-ups12.4.1. Getting data out of your pop-up window12.4.2. Sending events12.4.3. Getting data out12.4.4. Sending data to the window12.5. Using alerts12.5.1. Creating a simple alert12.5.2. Doing more with alerts12.5.3. A more advanced alert12.5.4. Pimp this alert12.6. Summary
13. View states
13.1. Understanding view states13.2. View states in Flex13.2.1. View states classes13.2.2. View-state example13.2.3. Defining a view state (<mx:State />)13.2.4. View-state transitions13.2.5. States in components13.3. Summary
14. Working with data services
14.1. What the heck is a WSDL document?14.2. Reading WSDL14.2.1. Reading the WSDL document: operations14.2.2. Reading the WSDL: input types14.2.3. Reading the WSDL document: output14.3. Using WebService components14.3.1. Creating a WebService component with ActionScript14.3.2. Calling the WebService component14.3.3. Handling the result14.3.4. The ResultEvent14.3.5. Working with the result14.3.6. Fault events14.3.7. Using asynchronous tokens14.4. Using HTTPService to retrieve results14.4.1. Connecting to an HTTP web service14.4.2. Explicit parameter binding14.5. Using the RemoteObject tag14.6. Using the URLLoader14.7. Using the Flex Import Web Service wizard14.7.1. Using the Import Web Service wizard14.7.2. Working with generated web-service code14.8. Summary
15. Working with XML
15.1. XML primer15.1.1. What is XML?15.1.2. Benefits of XML15.1.3. Drawbacks15.1.4. Syntax and rulesThe Root TagWell-FormednessXML DeclarationEntitiesStoring DATACase Sensitivity15.1.5. DTDs and XML Schema15.1.6. Namespaces15.2. XML components and classes15.2.1. The XML componentInvoking the XML Component15.2.2. The XML classInvoking the XML ClassConverting Objects to XMLXML Class PropertiesXML Class Functions/Methods15.2.3. The XMLList componentInvoking the XMLList Component15.2.4. The XMLList class15.2.5. The XMLListCollection component and classWrapping Around an XMLList—LiterallyUsing the Source Property to Point to XML and XMLList Sources15.3. Loading external XML source data15.4. Binding in XML15.4.1. Binding from XML15.4.2. Binding to XML15.5. ECMAScript for XML (E4X)15.5.1. E4X syntaxExample 1: Accessing a Particular Value by Position (Index)Example 2: Accessing a Particular Node by a Property ValueExample 3: Accessing a Node by an Adjacent Nodes ValueExample 4: Accessing a Property of a NodeExample 5: Assigning Values15.5.2. Working with XML structureExample 1: Looping Over XML Structure Using its IndexExample 2: Looping Over Nodes as KeysExample 3: Looping Over Nodes in an XML FragmentExample 4: Acquiring DescendentsExample 5: Acquiring Nodes and Attributes by WildcardExample 6: Prepending and Appending NodesExample 7: Inserting Nodes in Between Existing NodesExample 8: Copying a NodeaExample 9: Deleting a Node15.6. Summary
16. Objects and classes
16.1. OO theory in 5 minutes16.1.1. The relationship between objects and classesWhat are Classes?16.1.2. Objects have properties and methodsProperties and Methods have Scope16.1.3. Inheritance16.1.4. Encapsulation and coupling16.1.5. Objects: they’re everywhere!16.2. Playing with objects16.2.1. A closer look at objectsAdding a Primitive ObjectTaking a Peek16.2.2. Methods of objects16.2.3. Method parameters16.2.4. Methods return information16.2.5. Objects have properties16.3. Creating a class16.3.1. Creating the class file16.3.2. Specifying a package16.3.3. Naming classes16.3.4. Class modifiers16.3.5. Superclasses: extending a class16.3.6. Interfaces16.3.7. Looking at your class16.4. Adding properties16.5. Adding getter/setter methods16.6. Creating methods for your class16.7. Summary
17. Custom components
17.1. What are custom components?17.1.1. A custom component example17.2. How custom components work17.2.1. Simple and composite types17.2.2. Implementation choicesJust MxmlJust ActionscriptCode-Behind17.3. Simple custom components17.4. Passing parameters17.4.1. Using a function to pass a value17.4.2. Passing a value as a propertySometimes You Need LogicLeveraging Binding Events to Track Changes17.4.3. Using a setter function as a property proxy17.4.4. Using bound parameters17.5. Retrieving values17.5.1. Using a function to retrieve a value17.5.2. Using a property to retrieve a value17.5.3. Using a getter function as a property proxy17.6. Creating composite components17.7. Creating ActionScript components17.8. Custom events17.8.1. Passing along the event object17.9. Namespaces and structure17.9.1. The MX namespace17.9.2. The local namespace17.9.3. Directory structure and namespacesReverse-Domain Syntax17.9.4. Namespace in ActionScript17.10. Summary
18. Advanced reusability in Flex
18.1. SWC files18.2. Runtime shared libraries18.2.1. Standard RSLs18.2.2. Making your Flex application use RSLCreating a Project to use the RSLCreating the RSL18.3. Modular Flex application development18.3.1. Components vs. modules18.3.2. Creating a simple module18.3.3. Loading modules the MXML way with the Module API18.3.4. Loading and unloading modules with ActionScript18.3.5. Pros and cons of modules18.4. Adding patches in your Flex application lifecycle18.4.1. Using a SWC to update and replace a class18.5. Refactoring18.6. Summary
3. The finishing touches
19. Customizing the experience
19.1. Styles19.1.1. Inline stylesUsing Flex Builder’s Property-SuggestUsing Design ViewUsing the Language ReferenceWhen to use Inline Styles19.1.2. Local style definitionsType DefinitionClass DefinitionFinding out what Cssproperties are AvailableWhen to use Local Styles19.1.3. External stylesheetsWhen to use External Stylesheets19.1.4. The Style Explorer19.1.5. Working with colorNamed ColorsNumeric Colors19.1.6. Transparency19.1.7. Using gradients19.1.8. Working with styles programmaticallyGuidelines on Using setStyle()Getting Styles19.2. Embedding fonts19.2.1. Embedding via the font’s system name19.2.2. Embedding using a font file19.2.3. Leveraging CSS19.3. Images and icons19.3.1. Image types19.3.2. To embed or not to embedEmbedded ImagesLoaded Images19.3.3. Images as variables19.3.4. IconsIcons in Dynamic ListsWhere to find Icon Properties19.4. Skins19.4.1. Types of skins19.4.2. 19.4.2 Graphical skins with imagesSkinning Via Inline StylesSkinning Via Local or External Styles19.4.3. Graphical skins with SWFs19.4.4. Flex skin design extensions (SDE)19.4.5. Image slicing19.4.6. Programmatic skins19.5. Summary
20. Working with effects
20.1. What is an effect?20.1.1. Cause and effect20.1.2. Out-of-the-box effects20.1.3. Composite effects20.2. Triggered effects20.3. Programmatically applying an effect20.3.1. Creating effects with ActionScript20.3.2. Using just ActionScript20.4. Creating composite effects20.4.1. Sequential effects20.4.2. Parallel effects20.4.3. Composite composites20.5. Using out-of-the-box effects20.5.1. The AnimateProperty effect20.5.2. The Blur effect20.5.3. The Dissolve effect20.5.4. The Fade effect20.5.5. The Glow effect20.5.6. The Iris effect20.5.7. The Move effect20.5.8. The Pause effect20.5.9. The Resize effect20.5.10. The Rotate effect20.5.11. The SoundEffect effect20.5.12. The Wipe effects20.5.13. The Zoom effect20.6. Easing functions20.6.1. Out-of-the-box easing functions20.6.2. Making your own easing functions20.7. Fonts and effects20.8. Summary
21. Drag-and-drop
21.1. The drag-and-drop process21.2. Drag-and-drop events21.3. Components that support drag-and-drop21.4. Enabling D&D on List-based components21.5. Moving versus copying21.6. Multi-item drag21.7. Two-way drag-and-drop21.8. Using D&D for user-controlled sorting21.9. Enter the DragManager21.9.1. Operational values21.9.2. DragManager functions21.10. Accepting or denying a drop21.10.1. Limiting who gets into the party21.10.2. Preventing event propagation21.10.3. Use the DragEvent object to find the drop target21.11. Applying your own drop21.11.1. Adding to the component’s dataProvider explicitly21.11.2. Adding to the component’s dataProvider implicitly21.12. Adding D&D to non-List components21.12.1. Setting up the example21.12.2. Initiating the drag21.12.3. Adding visual feedback21.12.4. Handling the drop21.12.5. Handling the exit21.12.6. Putting it all together21.13. Customizing the drag-and-drop experience21.13.1. Changing the drag image21.13.2. Changing the drag proxy Icons21.14. Summary
22. Charting
22.1. Introduction to charting22.1.1. Chart parts22.1.2. Chart types overview22.2. Setting the stage with series and data22.3. Creating charts22.3.1. Invoking a chart22.3.2. Adding a legend22.3.3. Changing chart types22.4. Stacking charts22.5. Exploring chart types22.5.1. Area charts22.5.2. Bar charts and column charts22.5.3. Line charts22.5.4. Bubble charts22.5.5. Candlestick and HLOC charts22.5.6. Pie charts22.5.7. Plot charts22.6. Customizing charts22.6.1. Series strokes22.6.2. Series fillsSingle-Color FillColor Array Fills22.7. Summary
23. Debugging and testing
23.1. Debugging23.1.1. Using the Flash Debug Player23.1.2. Configuring logging23.1.3. Using the trace() function23.1.4. Trace-log viewers23.1.5. Converting objects to strings23.1.6. FxSpy23.1.7. Monitoring network activity23.1.8. Using the DebuggerLaunching Debug ModeAdding/Removing a BreakpointControlling ExecutionWatching Variables23.2. Testing23.2.1. Types of testsProfilingUnit TestingFunctional Testing23.2.2. Flex ProfilerLaunching the ProfilerControlling Execution23.2.3. FlexUnit (unit testing)Setting up for FlexunitCreating a Test RunnerCreating a Test CaseExecuting the Tests23.2.4. Fluint (unit testing)Setting up for FluintCreating a Test RunnerCreating Test CasesCreating Test SuitesExecuting the Tests23.2.5. FunFX (functional testing)23.2.6. RIATest (functional testing)23.2.7. HP QuickTest Pro (functional testing)23.2.8. IBM Rational Functional Tester (functional testing)23.3. Summary
24. Wrapping up a project
24.1. Printing24.1.1. Flex’s approach to printing24.1.2. Tools of the trade24.1.3. Printing things24.1.4. Scaling things for print24.1.5. The art of adding objectsWhat if the Objects Aren’t Under the Same Container?Using a Print Custom Component24.1.6. Printing listsUsing a Custom ComponentUsing a Composite Custom Component24.1.7. Catching when a user cancels24.1.8. FlexReport24.2. Customizing the wrapper24.2.1. Wrapper files24.2.2. Wrapper templates24.2.3. The bare essentials24.2.4. Embedding into a web applicationMaking it a Portlet24.2.5. Passing parameters in a wrapper24.3. Deployment24.3.1. Create a production build24.3.2. Positioning client-side files24.3.3. Positioning server-side files24.3.4. Testing that it works24.4. Summary
Resources
Developer resourcesDiscussion forumsOpen source initiativesThe Flex ecosystemUser groupsNorth AmericaInternational

Overview

Flex 3 in Action is an easy-to-follow, hands-on Flex tutorial. Chock-full of examples, this book goes beyond feature coverage and helps you put Flex to work in real day-to-day tasks. You'll quickly master the Flex API and learn to apply the techniques that make your Flex applications stand out from the crowd.

Interesting themes, styles, and skins? It's in there.
Working with databases? You got it.
Interactive forms and validation? You bet.
Charting techniques to help you visualize data? Bam!

The expert authors of Flex 3 in Action have one goal—to help you get down to business with Flex 3. Fast.

About the Technology

New web applications require engaging user-friendly interfaces—and the cooler, the better. With Flex 3, web developers at any skill level can create high-quality, effective, and interactive Rich Internet Applications (RIAs) quickly and easily. Flex removes the complexity barrier from RIA development by offering sophisticated tools and a straightforward programming language so you can focus on what you want to do instead of how to do it. And now that the major components of Flex are free and open-source, the cost barrier is gone, as well!

About the Book

Many Flex books are overwhelming to new users—focusing on the complexities of the language and the super-specialized subjects in the Flex eco-system; Flex 3 in Action filters out the noise and dives into the core topics you need every day. Using numerous easy-to-understand examples, Flex 3 in Action gives you a strong foundation that you can build on as the complexity of your projects increases.

What's Inside

Flex 3 features like Profiler, AdvancedDataGrid, and Refactoring.
Layout your application using Containers.
Create interactive forms with upfront validation.
Connect to Databases with Data Services.
Use charting to visualize data.
Share code across multiple projects.
Customize with styles, themes, and skins.
Test, debug, and deploy Flex applications.
Drag and drop.
ActionScript 3.0 fundmentals.
Use Effects for more than just the "cool" factor.

About the Reader

Flex 3 in Action will give you the skills you need to become productive pronto. Whether you want to make the next big Web 2.0 internet application, or take your enterprise applications to the next level—Flex 3 in Action will help you get there.

About the Authors

Tariq Ahmed is an accomplished web application pioneer having introduced next generation web technologies to companies such as Bell Canada and REUTERS. He and Jon Hirschi were first to introduce eBay to Adobe Flex which later proliferated to other teams. As an Adobe Flex Community Expert, Tariq has been evangelizing the technology and supporting the community through various projects and is particularly known for his Community Flex (CFLEX.Net) site. Tariq is the Manager of Product Development at Amcom Technology.

Jon Hirschi has been innovating with Flex since its first version. As an Adobe Flex Community Expert, he's been sharing his expert-level knowledge through his personal blog, technology magazine articles, and user groups. Jon was also involved in not only the introduction of Flex at eBay, but also in the continuance of it via a cutting-edge command center that allows eBay to manage its servers.

Faisal Abid is a software engineering student in Toronto, Canada and runs his own RIA consulting company (G-uniX Technologies). He's written RIA solutions for various clients including internet startups Buzzspot and RazorCom. Faisal's community involvement includes numerous articles for magazines, and he is known for his experiments with technology.

Quotes
The code examples are its strength -- plentiful for almost every topic in the book.
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Easy enough for the newbie, detailed enough for the veteran.
- Ken Brueck, Move Networks

It's my user-friendly tutorial and reference.
- Christophe Bunn, Kitry S.A.S.

An impressive amount of Flex content in a single volume.
- Charlie Griefer, Amcom Technology

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