Macromedia Flex is the bridge that many of us have been waiting for: a way to build JSP style web applications into a flash movie (SWF).
The possibilities of this are obvious. Now the Flash Player is not a mere movie player, but a rich development platform. No more wondering what java libraries and plug-ins the other player has: as long as they have Player, the application will run just as it should. Plus, in its movie format, it can run as a server-based application without needing a server license.
How exactly is this done? By using a new XML-based scripting language known as MXML, as well as the standard ActionScript used for Flash. Flex comes with various components and features that make capabilities such as web services, remote objects, drag and drop, sorting columns, charting/graphing, built in animation effects, and other interface interactions simple. Also, Flex comes with an open-ended architecture that can communicate with authoring packages such as ColdFusion. Also, the application runs seamlessly, without page loads, and can work cross-platform. Much like Java, you could program something in Flex and have it give the same experience on a Macintosh.
Now, as for the product itself: the GUI is cleanly and cleverly arranged, with a wealth of powerful options, similar to the Java authoring GUI, Eclipse. I've yet to explore all of the possibilities, but by use of the snappy and effective tutorials, I've already managed to create some of these next-generation Flash Movies. And the range in incredibly vast: you can build your application completely from the ground up, using the scripting, or you may utilize the many handy controls offered by Flex, such as list types and grids. You also may build your own custom controls!
There is also a high degree of control over your web presentation: you may dictate the behavior, positioning and stacking of different windows within your application.
I am very excited to be working with this IDE. I have already many projects in mind for my website (such as dynamic blogging, content management, interactive games) that I could never dream to do with Flash alone. However, with Flex, I see not only can these project be accomplished, they can be accomplished quicker, cleaner and more efficiently than I'd imagined. By combining the trademark Adobe user-friendliness with the depth and power of a robust integrated development environment, it has been a long time since I've been so excited over a piece of software. I look forward to diving into it again!
This is a must for any Flash developer, to take your applications to that next level of sophistication. A triumph!