Introduction to Rich Internet Applications

1/2 day workshop
Class size is limited to venue capacity

Instructor:

Robert Reinhardt (robert@theMakers.com)

Description:

This workshop teaches you how to start building the next generation of web applications, dubbed Rich Internet Applications (or RIAs). With the release of Flash Player 6 and 7, you can begin to design and develop revenue-generating applications for your business clients. You will create applications that access dynamic data, using various data formats including:

1. URL-encoded name/value pairs, consumed with the LoadVars class
2. XML formatted data, consumed by the XML class
3. SOAP data, consumed by the WebServices class
4. Flash Remoting, consumed by the Flash Remoting MX 2004 components

While you will learn how to use ColdFusion to create these data formats, the same concepts and structures can be applied by all popular middleware scripting environments such as PHP, ASP, .NET, Perl, and JSP. By the end of this workshop, you'll understand why Flash Remoting is one of the best means of bringing data into your Flash applications.

Recommended text (optional):

Macromedia MX: Building Rich Internet Applications
R. Reinhardt & S. Allardice, Macromedia Press, 646 pages

Location:

The Art Institutes
International Minnesota
15 South 9th Street
Minneapolis, MN, USA
55402-3137
http://www.aim.artinstitutes.edu

Workshops start at 1:30 PM and end at 5:30 PM

Each student has his/her own Windows XP workstation

Cost:

See FlashBELT's online registration for rates

Attendees should bring:

Notepad (or something to write on), pen or pencil

Headset with microphone (with standard mini jacks)*

Webcam (USB webcam for PCs, Firewire webcam for Macs)*

*It is not required that you have these devices, but having them will enhance your experience with the workshop. The lab does not provide these devices.

For more information:

Read the ongoing discussion thread at FlashSupport.com.

Workshop Outline (Tentative)

1. Overview of Rich Internet Applications (RIAs)
1. Brief history of desktop and web application development
2. Examples of current RIAs
2. Understanding RIA Technologies
1. Web Servers
2. Databases & Application Servers (ColdFusion MX)
3. Web Services & Flash Remoting MX
4. Multi-user/AV Servers (Flash Communication Server MX)
3. Building a Data-Enabled RIA
1. Setting Up a Datasource
2. Connecting to a Datasource
3. Adding Data to the Database
4. Displaying Data from the Database
1. Binding data to Flash UI components
2. Using data within custom ActionScript
4. Creating a Progressive-Download MP3 JukeBox (TENTATIVE)
1. Building a Database of MP3 files
2. Loading Artist/Album/Song data
3. Playing MP3 files with the Sound object

Outline, draft version 1.0

Course outline, copyright © 2003 by Robert Reinhardt. Material subject to change.