Adobe Flex 4.5 Fundamentals: Training from the Source

Foreword

Over a decade ago, Adobe (then Macromedia) coined the term rich Internet application, or RIA, to describe the future of browser-based applications. This new breed of application supplemented existing server-based applications with an enhanced client-side user experience. As Internet users became increasingly sophisticated, demand for improved user experiences grew. At the center of this paradigm shift was Adobe Flex, a simple and light-weight framework for developing applications.

Once a novelty, Internet usage on phones and tablets has exploded. Users can now access the Internet more from mobile devices than from personal computers. As such, user demand for browser-based applications is shifting to applications installed on devices. ...