Foundation XML and E4X for Flash and Flex (Foundations) [Paperback]

Sas Jacobs (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 14, 2009 | Series: Foundations

XML is the lingua franca of the Web. All designers and developers working in a web environment need a sound understanding of XML and its role in application development. Many software packages and organizations allow for the exchange of data using an XML format. Web services and RSS feeds are now commonplace.

For those working with Flash and Flex, a thorough understanding of XML is particularly important. XML documents are one option for the data provided to SWF applications. Flash and Flex can load, display, and modify XML content. These applications can also send XML content to other applications for updating or for use in different situations.

ActionScript 3.0 introduced some fundamental changes to the way in which Flash and Flex applications work with XML. One significant change is that XML is now a native data type. ActionScript 3.0 also introduced new classes and a different framework for working with external documents. These changes are based on the E4X ECMAScript standard, and they streamline and simplify the process for working with XML in Flash and Flex.

In Foundation XML and E4X for Flash and Flex, Sas Jacobs gives you an introduction to XML and E4X. She explores the XML and XMLList classes and explains E4X expressions, providing examples for both Flash and Flex. In addition to explaining how to incorporate XML documents in Shockwave Flash applications, Sas shows you approaches specific to Flash and Flex and explores real-world usage. The book finishes with two case studies. In the first, you will learn how to consume and display information and images from Flickr using Flash. In the second, you will work with Adobe Kuler in Flex.

Whether you are a designer or developer, this book will help you work with XML and make the transition from ActionScript 2.0 to ActionScript 3.0. It will also provide you with an excellent grounding if you are new to Flash and Flex.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Sas Jacobs is a Web developer who loves working with Flash. She set up her business Anything Is Possible in 1994, working in the areas of web development, information technology training and technical writing. The business works with large and small clients building web applications with ASP.NET, Flash, XML and databases. Sas has also spoken at conferences such as Flash Forward, MXDU and FlashKit on topics relating to XML and dynamic content in Flash. In her spare time, Sas is passionate about travelling, photography and enjoying life. One of her most fervent wishes is that Flash will take over the Web!

Product Details

• Paperback: 520 pages
• Publisher: friendsofED; 1 edition (January 14, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1430216344
• ISBN-13: 978-1430216346
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 7.5 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.9 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,158,261 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Very good book, November 8, 2009

By 

Robert Barry (Pittsburgh) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Foundation XML and E4X for Flash and Flex (Foundations) (Paperback)

This book gives exactly what it says it will. Lots of good info and practical applications of XML in the classic and new versions.

Easy to read. Lots of examples.

5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic Read, November 10, 2011

By 

Casey - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Foundation XML and E4X for Flash and Flex (Foundations) (Paperback)

I use this book all the time when I am looking for methods of how to write applications using XML data returned from a web service. This is the hands down best programming book I own.

4.0 out of 5 stars Not for newbies, May 27, 2010

By 

jd (Harrisburg, PA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Foundation XML and E4X for Flash and Flex (Foundations) (Paperback)

One doesn't need any previous XML knowledge to work with this book. XML itself is quite simple. What gets complicated is when you get past the basic tag structure and begin using DTD, DOM, XSLT and XPath. That is when your head starts to hurt. Fortunately, Flash's' implementation of XML eliminates the need for all those technologies (except DTD which is out-dated). The only XML technology needed for Flash would be XSD (XML Schema). And this book doesn't cover that.

I think a beginner in ActionScript, or Flash in general, would be fairly well lost, however, even though it is a "Foundation" book. Although the ActionScript isn't all THAT bad and I have only found 1 typo in the code examples. However, even for someone familiar with ActionScript, the explanations of the example code just skims the surface. I would suggest that a beginner finish a strictly AS book before starting this book. Possibly Foundation ActionScript 3.0. I just bought it, to update my skills from AS 2, so I can't really comment on it yet.

I have mixed feelings about this book. I have read several of Sas Jacobs books and they all seem to suffer from the same problem: overly stressing really basic stuff, then skimming over more advanced code/concepts, especially as the book progresses.

For me, it was a good fit. I already know XML, and have experience in JAVA and ActionScript. Someone with less experience would probably have a tough go of this.

Oh yeah - I am disappointed that xmlsocket wasn't covered, too.