Reflex at 360|Flex

Reflex was finally demoed for the first time at the recent 360|Flex Conference. This new component framework is familiar to the Flex Framework in features and use though it is completely independent. Reflex extends the Flash Player through composition adding a robust layout, skinning, a component suite and an MXML workflow.

Probably the most unique aspect to the design of the Reflex system is a concept called Behaviors. A Behavior defines specific logic or interaction for a component, which is usually made up of several behaviors. As with component skins behaviors may be added and replaced at runtime and will utilize the styling features of the Flash Builder.

Through skinning and changing behavior a component can be completely redressed without extension. Below is an example of a list of data, moon phases and their cycle percentage:
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Flash Layout Engine in Reflex

As a component platform Reflex is built on a foundation of core libraries and utilities. Because of the unique culture of the project most of these solutions are independently useful to the Flash developer. Its layout engine is one of Reflex’s profitable solutions and can structure the visual flow of any member of ActionScript’s display list.

The following demo illustrates one of the default layout algorithms in Reflex, named Dock (notice the minimal use of containers used to achieve the structure). Click and drag to resize:
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Reflex: Rethinking Component Design

So is the title of the upcoming 360|Flex presentation on Reflex, a toolkit for Flash developers that has been in the works. The conference in March will finally mark its début:

With the emergence of so many new technologies it is an exciting time to be a developer. Embracing the spirit of advancement, Reflex was created to extend the Flash Platform with a component toolset worthy of its industry. Reinventing the features of Flex for the creative workflow, Reflex enhances the Flash Player (rather than abstracting it) to meet the demands of next generation applications and devices. Come be among the first to see what Reflex can do and learn about its unique architecture, the details of the project, its goals and its future. (session description)

The presentation will begin at 1:00pm on Tuesday, the 9th of March. Right after lunch. Be sure to come early for a good seat.

Flight Framework: Early Beta.

It isn’t easy for me to release code that isn’t finished, so I’ve had many projects come and go without ever seeing the light of day. But not Flight, not this time.

I’ve posted about Flight before: it’s a simple and powerful application framework in ranks with Cairngorm and some of the newer frameworks. Here’s an excerpt from Flight’s initial post:

The Flight Framework is the evolution of an ActionScript framework that has been around for a few years. It was a replacement to Cairngorm and was originally designed for web-based, design-centric applications such as logo makers and book builders. Even now the framework ships with the CommandHistory – an entire solution for undo and redo – and other practical utilities that strengthen its offering.

Flight Framework maintains an emphasis on supporting capable clients: Flex and Flash applications that are much more than just a pretty face to a server implementation. Through features like domains (modular MVC systems) and a prescribed structure, the framework transforms component scripting into real application development.

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Programming on Paper

I love starting out a new project. This is the part where I get to sketch on paper for a day or so and really plan out usability and component relationships. I’m just starting out with a new project where I’m in charge of the admin interface for an large web application. It sounds pretty boring? Yeah, it would be if I didn’t take usability seriously, so now it’s a big just a big challenge. And I love design, whether I stink at it or not. My favorite presentations at MAX were the Flash XD (experience design) topics that covered usability and moving graphical interfaces which add to the users experience rather than detract. So I’m sharpening my pencil and hittin’ the paper for the next few days!

There is also a web-based mockup editor by Balsamiq. It’s got its bugs, but works well enough to get the job done. If I weren’t so tied to my paper I might use it. I still recommend checking it out, as it is a cool flash-based design tool complete with undo/redo and free transform.

<XML> Graphics

I’ve been doing some heavy research lately in FXG and Degrafa, digging through source code and everything. FXG and Degrafa are both graphics formats in XML markup (like SVG), both opensource, both pretty cool. I wasn’t particularly in favor of a markup format for graphics, with designing applications via MXML and such. I’ve now been converted. I think it’s really cool, useful for things like versioning, etc, and provides a more approachable file specification for developers to implement.

I still think designing is best done (for the most part) in a design tool like Photoshop and Illustrator. I’ve built several ActionScript-based design/editor apps in the past and wanted to put that experience toward a really great design tool that supports the two formats. Somewhere in the process I got a little excited (this will be no surprise to anyone who knows me) and started building my own graphics format. It serves no real purpose that FXG and Degrafa don’t cover, but I love it and it’s been very fun to build.

I’ll be getting back on track now with a FXG/Degrafa design app. Because of my under-the-hood time with the two formats I’d like to present on the formats and XML Graphics in general. I’ll get into the pros and cons and the future predictions sometime on the blog too.

Project Hosting with Codespaces

I’ve been using Codespaces for a few months now and have to say I really like it. Floyd Price started this Subversion hosting solution 3 years ago in his basement. Now based in Coventry (UK), his group of 6 continue to develop this Ruby on Rails project management software, driven largely by my personal complaints I’m sure.

What I like most is how separate and configurable projects and repositories are. I can create any number of “projects” in my space, attach multiple SVN repos to each, and even share repos between projects. It allows me the freedom to invite contributors to some projects and keep other projects all to myself. Each project has a ticket system, wiki, file storage, and can have a public portal for the community to read up on projects and even submit bugs. Now all I need is custom design and a sandwich maker!

Love the service, keep it up Floyd and co.

Flight Framework: Another Flex Framework?

At 360|Flex this last month there were 5 different framework-centric presentations, from Adobe’s Cairngorm down to build-your-own-framework. Each framework presents its own virtues and vice’s, each developed to solve their originator’s focused set of organizational problems encountered in their architecture. I’m not an expert in any one of these frameworks and so won’t compare or contrast this list of projects to determine the “best” one. Even better, I have one more to throw on the pile: Flight Framework. Yet another framework, another methodology, another workflow for Flash and Flex application development … why? Why offer another option in the crowd of mulling libraries that vie for popularity?
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