Adobe Flash Builder 4

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Adobe Flash Builder (previously known as Adobe Flex Builder) is an integrated development environment (IDE) built on the Eclipse platform meant for developing rich Internet applications (RIAs) and cross-platform desktop applications, particularly for the Adobe Flash platform. Support for cross-platform desktop applications was added in Flex Builder 3 with the introduction of AIR.

Adobe Flash Builder 4 - Icon

Adobe Flash Builder 4 - Icon

Flash Builder 4, newly recruited into the Adobe Creative Suite for the release of CS5, is essentially a program for building interfaces that collect data (through forms) and present data (through views) from server databases.

Previously called Flex Builder, the program is a distant cousin of Flash Professional, but a close fit with the new Flash Catalyst CS5 (). Interestingly, the more I worked with Flash Builder, the more it seemed to me that its closest CS5 relative is actually Dreamweaver CS5 ()—with which Flash Builder shares many interface and procedural similarities when it comes to binding server databases and collecting and presenting data.

Flash Builder doesn’t carry the CS5 label for a few reasons: It shipped in advance of CS5 and Adobe decided to continue the previous numbering system that it established when the program was called Flex Builder. Flash Builder 4 is the upgrade to Flex Builder 3.

The Flex framework is an open source platform that generates either MXML format or ActionScript 3.0 code. It is possible to build Flex applications with a free SDK, but I can’t imagine undertaking a Flex coding project without Flash Builder, which provides helpful tools like automatic testing, debugging hints, and all syntax hints for generating code.

Flash Builder 4 comes in two editions: The Premium Edition ($699; upgrade, $299) has all the features of Flash Builder 4 Standard plus professional testing tools such as profilers, network monitoring systems, and unit testing support. Flash Builder 4 Premium also includes a license for Adobe ColdFusion Builder software. Flash Builder 4 Standard Edition, the less expensive version ($249; upgrade from Flex Builder 3, $99), ships as a standalone app or as part of the CS5 Web Premium and Master Collection.

In addition to the built-in code editors for MXML and ActionScript, Flash Builder supports a WYSIWYG editor for modifying MXML applications and components. Flash Builder also includes an integrated interactive debugger allowing developers to step through code execution while inspecting variables and watching expressions. The release of Flex Builder 3 added support for profiling or performance analysis. The profiling view displays statistical information about where and how much memory is being consumed in addition to the execution time of function calls.

Adobe Flash Builder 4 - Splash Screen

Adobe Flash Builder 4 - Splash Screen

Improvements in Flash Builder 4

With the adoption of Flash Builder into the Flash family come three substantial coding enhancements:

1. Flash Builder 4 introduces Spark components—tools that make it easier for developers to create customized interfaces and skins.

2. Applications running in Adobe Flash Player do not connect directly to databases—those connections go through ColdFusion, PHP, and Java, and are now easier to define.

3. Flash Builder 4 is built on the Eclipse development platform, which has become the standard for much of the world’s software development. Eclipse is a free, open source professional Integrated Development Environment (IDE) for programmers who need to script PHP, JavaScript, Java, and a whole range of other languages. Flash Builder is essentially a plug-in for Eclipse and uses Eclipse tools, providing a familiar coding environment for developers who work in the Eclipse environment outside of Flash.

Developers who already have Eclipse installed can download a special Eclipse plug-in version of Flash Builder. The other option is to install the standalone version of Flash Builder, which uses a custom build of Eclipse, and does not require a separate Eclipse install. The standalone version, however, lacks Eclipse Java tools like Apache Ant, a powerful set of data tools. Developers who opt for the one-step-install standalone Flash Builder will want to download those plug-ins separately.

Adobe Flash Builder 4 - IDE Example

Adobe Flash Builder 4 - IDE Example

Coders will appreciate new features like better integration with the Flash IDE, Unit Testing, clearer project organization, and some welcome speed improvements.Test Operation view calls operations from a service (a set of related functions) and views the results of the operation. Results include any error messages returned from the service.

Also new to Builder 4 are debugging tools that make it easier to check a line of code or to define a conditional break point to launch a debugging test (for example, testing only the code in a game that launches after a player achieves a set score). Coders in Flash Builder 4 can take advantage of helpful new tools like enhanced code refactoring, which facilitates navigation and the ability to restructure code by renaming all references to a class, method, or variable. Rich visual layout is improved—developers can visually design and preview user interface layout, appearance, and behavior using a library of built-in components.

Adobe Flash Builder 4 - Premium Box

Adobe Flash Builder 4 - Premium Box

Flash Builder applications can run either on the Web or on the desktop via Adobe AIR. But tools that are available in Flash Professional to publish or export applications for mobile devices are not available in Flash Builder. Flash Builder applications do not run on Apple’s mobile devices (an issue shared across the spectrum of Flash products). In addition, the tools for porting them to mobile devices that do support Flash are not yet available. This is a potentially serious issue. Adobe has said it plans to add this capability shortly so that the same publishing capabilities offered in Flash Professional CS5 will also be available in Flash Builder 4.

Ewing Enterprise’s buying advice

While those of us on the design side of the world tend to think of Flash as mainly an animation application, Flash Builder has little to do with that. Instead, it is a tool for building complex and powerful applications for both Web and stand-alone platforms. It meshes smoothly with interface prototypes created by designers in Flash Catalyst CS5. For Flex and ActionScript 3 coders for whom programming is a livelihood, a professional IDE like Flash Builder is a must.