Learning Flex 4

Chapter 11. Gathering and Displaying Data

IN THIS CHAPTER

Using List-Based Controls

Using XML Data

Implementing List Selection

Connecting to Search Results

Dragging and Dropping in Lists

Creating Custom Item Renderers

Working with External Data Services

Summary

“Make a list of things you need. Throw it out, do what you feel.”

— Nick Vahle Time to Shine

Few applications are complete without using some form of data. This is especially true with web applications. Just think of the web applications you use often. How many of them would serve you any purpose if they did not access some form of data? It is the ability to seamlessly connect to information that has made the Web such a significant medium of communication and expression.

Whether the information you send and receive is stored in an XML file, stored in a database, or gathered from one of the many web services available, you can be sure that with Flex, gathering and displaying data is fairly straightforward.

Using List-Based Controls

Flex offers a number of controls known as List-based controls, which make displaying a list of items very easy. All List-based controls have the ability to accept either a simple list of data or complex, structured data, and they offer a number of customizable features. Common controls implementing list functionality include the following:

List

This is the backbone of all list controls; it orders its items vertically.

DropDownList

The DropDownList control, which renders display items using the Label component, allows ...