Adobe® Flex® 4 Tutorials

ADOBE® FLEX® 4 Tutorials

© 2010 Adobe Systems Incorporated. All rights reserved. Copyright

Adobe® Flex® 4 Tutorials. Adobe, the Adobe logo, Flash, Flash Builder, Flex, Flex Builder and LiveCycle are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Adobe Systems Incorporated in the United States and/or other countries. ActiveX and Windows are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries. Apple and Macintosh are trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the United States and other countries. Linux is a registered trademark of Linus Torvalds. Microsoft and Windows are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries. Solaris is a registered trademark or trademark of Sun Microsystems, Inc. in the United States and other countries. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. This Work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial 3.0 License. To view a copy of this license, visit http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/ Adobe Systems Incorporated, 345 Park Avenue, San Jose, CA 95110-2704, USA.

Last updated 6/1/2010

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Contents Chapter 1: Import a service and bind data to application components Create the application . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Create a ColdFusion service that returns localized strings (Optional) Test the ColdFusion service Connect to the ColdFusion service Examine the generated code

............................................................... 5

................................................................................. 6

..................................................................................... 9

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

Chapter 2: Installing the Flash Builder tutorial database Download and install the Flash Builder tutorial database . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Chapter 3: Creating ColdFusion services for client applications Create a CFC that accesses a database . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 (Optional) Test the service

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

Import the service into Flex and bind returned data to application components

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

Chapter 4: Creating PHP services for client applications Create a PHP class that implements a service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 (Optional) Test the PHP service

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25

Import the service into Flex and bind returned data to application components

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26

Chapter 5: Manage the access of data through paging Paging tutorial (ColdFusion) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31 Paging tutorial (PHP)

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37

Chapter 6: Using data management to synchronize server updates Data management tutorial (ColdFusion) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46 Data management tutorial (PHP)

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55


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Chapter 1: Import a service and bind data to application components The relationship between client code and server code in Flex differs from the traditional relationship in a server template. In a traditional relationship, a server template mixes server code with client code. When the client queries a database, it dynamically embeds HTML code with returned data. Flex, however, separates client code from server code. The remote service returns only data. Flex binds the returned data to user interface components in the client application. This tutorial shows how to create a client application that imports a ColdFusion service. You first create a Label item that displays static text. Next, you create a ColdFusion service that returns a localized text string. Then, you bind the data returned from the ColdFusion service to the Label item. Finally, you examine the generated code to see how Flex accesses the data returned from the service.

Create the application 1 In Flash Builder, select File > New > Flex Project. 2 Specify HelloCF for the project name, set Application Server Type to ColdFusion, and specify ColdFusion Flash

Remoting.


2

FLEX TUTORIALS Import a service and bind data to application components

Specify project name and server type

3 Click Next. Verify your ColdFusion server configuration and click Validate Configuration. 4 Click Finish.

The Flash builder source editor opens to Hello.mxml. 5 If Design mode is not selected, select Design to switch to Design mode of the editor. 6 In the Components View, make sure that the Controls folder is open. Scroll the controls to find the Label control.


3


Label control in the Controls folder

7 Drag a Label component from the Components View to the design area. 8 Double-click the Label component. Replace the default text with Hello. 9 In the Properties view, modify the appearance of the text. With the Label component selected, specify the following: Font Size

24

Font Attribute

Bold

Font Attribute

Italic

Select the font attributes


4


10 Click the Font color box and specify #ff0000 to change the text to Red.

Font color box

11 Save the file. Click the Run button to run the application.

Run button


5


The application runs in a web browser.

Create a ColdFusion service that returns localized strings Create a ColdFusion component (CFC) that can be accessed as a service by Flex over the Internet. 1 Create the following directory in your web root: /HelloCF/

2 Code the following HelloService.cfc and place it in the HelloCF directory:


6


The function getMessage() is a service operation that client applications access. Make sure to specify remote as the access type for the function.

(Optional) Test the ColdFusion service There are various ways to test the service before you access it from an application. 1 Create a ColdFusion script file, helloservicetest.cfm, that calls the service and displays the returned data in

HTML. Use the cfinvoke tag to call the service. Use the cfdump tag to view the results. Testing getLocales()...
Result:
Testing getLocalizedMessage("es")...
Result:

2 Save helloservicetest.cfm in the same folder as HelloService.cfc, and call the script from a web browser:


7


http://localhost:8500/HelloCF/helloservicetest.cfm

Using cfinvoke and cfdump

If there is an error in the service, ColdFusion displays detailed information about the error.

You can also enable Robust Exception Information for the ColdFusion server to get detailed debugging output. 3 Add trace statements to the service.

In the ColdFusion Administrator, enable debugging and logging.


8


Add ColdFusion trace statements as necessary to debug your service. For example, add the following line in helloservicetest.cfm: Testing getLocalizedMessage()...
Result:

Call the script from a web browser to view the debugging output. You can also inspect the ColdFusion log files.

Testing a service directly from a URL

4 Call a function in the service directly from a URL.

For example, call getLocalizedMessage() with the parameter es: http://localhost:8500/HelloCF/HelloService.cfc?method=getLocalizedMessage&locale=es

Note: You can also test a service after importing the service into Flash Builder. Use Test Operation, which is available from the Data/Service view.


9


Connect to the ColdFusion service In Flash Builder, connect to the ColdFusion service and bind the data returned from the service to the Label component. 1 In Design mode of the MXML editor, make sure HelloCF.mxml is open. From the Flash Builder Data menu, select

Connect To Data/Service. 2 Select ColdFusion as the service type. Click Next.

Select service type

3 Click Browse and navigate to the HelloService.cfc you previously created. Flash Builder names the service

HelloService.

Importing a ColdFusion Service

4 Click Finish. Provide your credentials to log in to the ColdFusion database.

The Data Services View now displays your ColdFusion service.

Data Services View


10


The Data Service View provides a picture of remote services. This view becomes useful when you configure types for data returned by a service call. 5 Select the Label component in the design area. From the context menu for the Label component, select Bind to Data.

Select OK to replace the current text with the text returned from a service operation. Flash Builder provides various ways to bind data to a selected component. In addition to the the context menu, you can bind to data from Properties view. You can also select Bind to Data from the Flash Builder Data menu. 6 In the Bind to Data dialog, make sure that New Service Call is selected. For Operation select getLocalizedMessage. Click OK.

Select the operation for binding data

Flash Builder switches the editor to Source mode, highlighting the parameter to getLocalizedMessage(). 7 Type "es" for the parameter value for getLocalizedMessage(). Switch to Design mode of the editor.

Design mode showing data binding

8 Save and run the application.


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The Label component displays the message retrieved from the HelloService.

Examine the generated code When you imported the ColdFusion service into a client application, Flex generated client code that accessed the ColdFusion service. Flex also generates code when you bind operations to application components. There are three parts to the generated code:

• Event handler • Service call and responder • Data binding This part of the tutorial walks you through the Flex code generated in the previous tutorial. There are no “steps” to this part of the tutorial. Just a description of the code generation.

Event handlers Flex uses event handlers to trigger a service call. Flex code is not processed “top to bottom,” as in server templates. Instead, applications built with Flex listen for events to trigger responses. By default, Flex uses the creationComplete event on a component to trigger a service call. Examine the Label component in the HelloCF.mxml source code:

The creationComplete event fires after the application creates the component. For this Label component, creationComplete calls an event handler that Flash Builder generated for the event. Examine the code for the event handler, which is placed inside a Script block:


12


The creationComplete event handler calls the getLocalizedMessage() operation from the ColdFusion service. It passes the parameter “es”, which you specified earlier in the source code. You can use other events, such as a Click event on a button or a selectionChange event of a list, to trigger service calls.

Service calls and responders When you add a service, Flex creates a component containing methods that call the service operations. When you call one of the methods, the component calls the corresponding service operation over the network using the appropriate protocol. Service calls are associated with CallResponders. Data returned from a service call is placed in the lastResult attribute of the CallResponder. CallResponders allow service calls to operate asynchronously. The client application can continue to be responsive while the service call is being processed. Examine the generated service call and responder:

When you imported the HelloService service, Flex created the HelloService class. This class contains methods to call the getLocales(), and getLocalizedMessage operations of the service. The CallResponder, identified by the getLocalizedMessageResult id, provides access to the returned data.

Data binding Flex data binding allows you to assign the value of the lastResult attribute of a CallResponder to a user interface component. When the last result updates, Flex automatically updates the component. Flex uses curly braces {} to bind data to an attribute of a component. In this example, Flex binds the lastResult value to the text attribute of the Label component. Examine the data binding for the Label component:


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The data returned to the CallResponder, getLocalizedMessageResult.lastResult, is automatically assigned as the text attribute for the Label component.

Code generation summary In summary, Flash Builder generates code to access the imported service in the client application:

• After Flex creates the Label component in the running application, the creationComplete event fires, calling a service operation.

• The data returned from the service call is placed in the lastResult attribute of the associated CallResponder. • The text attribute of the Label component, which is bound to the lastResult attribute, updates with the returned data.


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Chapter 2: Installing the Flash Builder tutorial database Several of the tutorials show how to access data returned from a database. The tutorials use a MySQL database, which you can access from either a PHP or ColdFusion installation.

Download and install the Flash Builder tutorial database 1 Download Flash Builder Tutorial Database and unzip it into a temporary directory on your computer.

The downloaded ZIP file contains two SQL files:

•

fb_tutorial_db_full.sql

Use this file to import the entire database into your MySQL installation. It creates the fb_tutorial_db database, which contains three tables. The tables in the database are departments, employees, and dept_emp.

• fb_tutorial_db_tables.sql Use this file to import just the three tables into an existing database. This file is provided in case you do not have privileges to create a database in your MySQL installation. See the ReadMe file for information on importing this file. You can install the database either from the command line or using the phpMyAdmin utility for MySQL databases. 2 (Command Line) Execute the following command from a terminal window for your operating system. /bin/mysql -u root -p < fb_tutorial_db_full.sql

3 (phpMyAdmin) From the phpMyAdmin home page, navigate to the Import page. Browse to the downloaded SQL

file and import the database. 4 (ColdFusion) In the ColdFusion Administrator, add fb_tutorial_db as a data source.

The following table lists the settings for the data source using the default configuration for ColdFusion 8: Configuration Field

Value

ColdFusion Data Source Name

fb_tutorial_db

Database

fb_tutorial_db

Server

127.0.0.1

Port

3306


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Chapter 3: Creating ColdFusion services for client applications When you access a remote service, you typically retrieve records from a database and display them in the client application. This tutorial shows how to access a remote database and display retrieved records in a DataGrid.

The tutorial illustrates the following concepts:

• Using a ColdFusion component (CFC) to implement service operations that query a database. • Binding a CFC service operation to a Flex data control, such as a DataGrid. • Sampling the data returned from a service operation to configure a data type for the returned data. • Running the application and viewing the returned data in the DataGrid.

Create a CFC that accesses a database This tutorial accesses the cfbookclub database that is provided with a ColdFusion installation. It lists the contents of the Books table in the database. However, you can modify this tutorial to select records from any database you have access to. This tutorial assumes that you have a local installation of ColdFusion 8 or ColdFusion 9 and the ColdFusion server is running. 1 In your web root, create a folder named books. 2 In your favorite ColdFusion editor, create the following CFC. Name it BookService.cfc and place it in the books

folder in your web root. BookService.cfc selects all the records from the Books table in the cfbookclub database.


16

FLEX TUTORIALS Creating ColdFusion services for client applications

SELECT * FROM Books

3 In BookService.cfc, examine the code that calls the database:

Flex expects data returned by the operation to be an object or an array of objects. Each object in the array corresponds to a retrieved record from the database, containing values for each column in the record. The cfquery, qAllBooks, accesses the Books table in the cfbookclub database. ColdFusion returns an array of records from the database.

(Optional) Test the service It is always a good idea to test a service before you access it from an application. 1 Create bookservicetest.cfm to test the CFC. This script uses cfdump to view the results of the service operation. Testing getBooks()...

2 Save bookservicetest.cfm in the books folder next to BookService.cfc. 3 From a web browser, run the script to test the service:


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http://localhost:8500/books/bookservicetest.cfm

You can also test a service after importing the service into Flash Builder. Use Test Operation, which is available from the Data/Service view.

Import the service into Flex and bind returned data to application components The relationship between client code and server code in Flex differs from the traditional relationship in a server template. In a traditional relationship, a server template mixes server code with client code. When the client queries a database, it dynamically embeds HTML code with returned data.


18


Flex, however, separates client code from server code. The remote service returns only data. Flex binds the returned data to user interface components in the client application. 1 In Flash Builder, select New > Flex Project to create a ColdFusion server project. Name the project Books.

Set the Application Server Type to ColdFusion. Enable Use Remote Object Access Service and select ColdFusion Flash Remoting.

2 Click Next. Validate your configuration. 3 Set the output folder to the books folder containing the service. Click Finish.

Flash builder creates Books.mxml and opens the file in the MXML editor. Select Design to open the editor in Design mode. 4 In Design mode, drag a DataGrid control to the design area.

The DataGrid control is available under Controls in the Components view. 5 From the context menu for the DataGrid, select Bind to Data. 6 In the No Services Defined dialog, click Yes to connect to a service. 7 In the Connect to Data/Service wizard, select ColdFusion. Click Next.


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Flash Builder provides multiple ways to connect to a data service. In this scenario, you first create the user interface. Then from a user interface component, you connect to a service and specify the remote operation. 8 Click Browse and navigate to the BookService.cfc you created previously. Click Finish.

Provide authorization credentials as needed for your system. The Data Services View now displays the BookService. 9 Again, from the context menu for the DataGrid, select Bind to Data.

The Bind to Data dialog now opens with New Service Call selected. BookService is the only service available in the Flex project. getBooks() is the only operation available in the service.

10 In the Bind to Data dialog, select Configure Return Type to define the data type for returned data.

Flex uses the return data type to access service operations. The BookService service does not define the data type for returned data. Flash Builder uses client-side typing to define a custom data type for the returned data. Some services, such as those provided by LiveCycle Data Services, provide server-side typing. With server-side typing, Flash Builder does not have to configure the data type for returned data. 11 In the Configure Return Type dialog, Auto-Detect the Return Type is selected by default. Click Next.

Flash Builder introspects the service to determine the data and data types returned. 12 Specify Book in the Array Of field to define a custom type for returned data.

The BookService returns an array of records from the data service. Each record is a complex data type representing a database record for a book. The custom type Book provides access to each field of the record. The Configure Return Type dialog displays the properties of the data type returned by the service. Click Finish. When Flash Builder configures a return type, it accesses the database to create a value object. The properties of the custom data type are derived from the value object. You can view the properties of the data type before proceeding. 13 In the Bind to Data dialog, click OK.


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Flash Builder binds the data returned from the service call to the DataGrid component. It modifies the columns of the DataGrid, binding the value returned for each Book property to a column in the DataGrid.

14 Make sure the DataGrid is still selected. In the Properties view, click Configure Columns and then do the following

steps: a Select the ISSPOTLIGHT column. Click Delete to delete the column. b Delete all columns except TITLE and GENRE. c Select the TITLE column. Edit the Header Text field to rename the column Title. d Rename the GENRE column to Genre. e With the GENRE column selected, click Up to rearrange the order of the columns.


21


f

Click OK.

15 In Design View, grab the far left handle of the DataGrid and resize it to a more normal shape. Save and run the

application.


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Chapter 4: Creating PHP services for client applications You can create applications with Flex that access services from a wide variety of technologies. These technologies include:

• ColdFusion • PHP • HTML (REST-style) services • Web services (SOAP) After creating a service, it is a good idea to test the service before accessing it from a client application. The principles of creating and testing PHP services can be applied to other service technologies.

Create a PHP class that implements a service The service you create in this tutorial accesses the fb_tutorial_db database. For information on installing this database, see “Installing the Flash Builder tutorial database” on page 14. 1 In your web root, create a folder named PHPService. Within that folder, create another folder named services. 2 In your favorite PHP editor, create the following PHP file, which implements EmployeeService. Name the file EmployeeService.php. Place it in the PHPService/services folder.


23

FLEX TUTORIALS Creating PHP services for client applications

This PHP class contains functions that implement data service operations. Flash Builder introspects the service operations in the PHP class to create ActionScript classes in the client application. The client application accesses the data service using these ActionScript classes. 3 Save EmployeeService.php at the following location: /PHPService/services/EmployeeService.php

Note: Make sure that the filename corresponds to the name of the class implementing the PHP service. 4 In EmployeeService.php, examine the code that calls the database.

• Connecting to data: The code uses global variables and a constructor function that connects to the database server. Substitute your connection settings for the global variables.

• Call the database: $stmt = mysqli_prepare($this->connection, "SELECT * FROM $this->tablename"); mysqli_stmt_execute($stmt);

This code implements a basic PHP call to a database to return a result set. This call uses prepared statements available with the MySQLi extension. Prepares statements provide more security than a basic database query.

• Return the data as an array of rows: $rows = array(); mysqli_stmt_bind_result($stmt, $row->emp_no, $row->birth_date, $row->first_name, $row->last_name, $row->gender, $row->hire_date); while (mysqli_stmt_fetch($stmt)) { $rows[] = $row; $row = new stdClass(); mysqli_stmt_bind_result($stmt, $row->emp_no, $row->birth_date, $row->first_name, $row->last_name, $row->gender, $row->hire_date); } return $rows;


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Flex expects data returned by the operation to be an object or an array of objects. The PHP code that handles the returned result set iterates through the result, returning an array of objects. Each object in the array corresponds to a retrieved record from the database, containing values for each column in the record. The code uses bound results for the prepared statement. This call allows the values of the result to correctly be bound to expected values of the data.

• Exception handling The code creates a utility function to catch exceptions.

(Optional) Test the PHP service It is always a good idea to test a service before you access it from an application. 1 Create a PHP script file, tester.php, that calls the service and displays the returned data.

2 Save tester.php in the same folder as EmployeeService.php, and call the service from a web browser.

If the call is successful, tester dumps records from the database:


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array(999) { [0]=> object(stdClass)#4 (6) { ["emp_no"]=> string(5) "10002" ["birth_date"]=> string(10) "1964-06-02" ["first_name"]=> string(7) "Bezalel" ["last_name"]=> string(6) "Simmel" ["gender"]=> string(1) "F" ["hire_date"]=> string(10) "1985-11-21" } [1]=> object(stdClass)#5 (6) { ["emp_no"]=> string(5) "10003" ["birth_date"]=> string(10) "1959-12-03" ["first_name"]=> string(5) "Parto" ["last_name"]=> string(7) "Bamford" ["gender"]=> string(1) "M" ["hire_date"]=> string(10) "1986-08-28" } [2]=> object(stdClass)#6 (6) { ["emp_no"]=> . . .

If there is an error in the service, PHP displays information to help locate the error. Warning: mysqli_connect() [function.mysqli-connect]: (28000/1045): Access denied for user 'admin'@'localhost' (using password: YES) in C:\wamp2\www\PHP_Service\services\PHPservice.php on line 6 Access denied for user 'admin'@'localhost' (using password: YES)

You can also test a service after importing the service into Flash Builder. Use Test Operation, which is available from the Data/Service view.

Import the service into Flex and bind returned data to application components The relationship between client code and server code in Flex differs from the traditional relationship in a server template.


27


In a traditional relationship, a server template mixes server code with client code. When the client queries a database, it dynamically embeds HTML code with returned data. Flex, however, separates client code from server code. The remote service returns only data. Flex binds the returned data to user interface components in the client application. 1 In Flash Builder, select File > New > Flex Project. 2 Specify PHP_Service for the project name and set the Application Server Type to PHP.

Specify project name and server type

Note: If you forget to set the application server type when you create the project, you can later specify the server type from the Project Properties page. 3 Click Next. Verify your PHP configuration and click Validate Configuration. 4 For Output Folder, specify the PHPService folder you created previously.

Flash Builder suggests a default location for the output folder. Use the location that already contains EmployeeService.php. Here is the location previously specified: /PHPService/

5 Click Finish.


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The Flash Builder source editor opens to PHP_Service.mxml. 6 Select Design to open the editor in Design mode. Add a DataGrid control to the application:

The DataGrid component is available under Data Controls in the Components view. Drag the DataGrid control to the design area. 7 From the context menu for the DataGrid, select Bind to Data. 8 In the No Services Defined dialog, click Yes to connect to a service. 9 In the New Flex Service wizard, select PHP. Click Next.

Flash Builder provides multiple ways to connect to a data service. In this scenario, you first create the user interface. Then from a user interface component, you can connect to a service and specify the remote operation. 10 Click Browse and navigate to the EmployeeService.php file you created previously.

The path to the file is: /PHP_Service/services/EmployeeService.php

Click Finish. Flash Builder prompts you to install or update the Zend Framework, if necessary. The Data Services View now displays the EmployeeService. 11 From the DataGrid context menu, again select Bind to Data.

The Bind to Data dialog opens with New Service Call selected. EmployeeService is the only service available in the Flex project. getEmployeess() is the only operation available in the service.

12 In the Bind to Data dialog, select Configure Return Type to define the data type for returned data.

Flex uses the return data type to access service operations. The EmployeeService service does not define the data type for returned data. Flash Builder uses client-side typing to define a custom data type for the returned data. 13 In the Configure Return Type dialog, Auto-Detect the Return Type is selected by default. Click Next. 14 Specify Employee for the name of the type.

The EmployeeService returns a complex data type representing a database record for an employee. The custom type Employee provides access to each field of the record.


29


View the properties of the Employee data type returned by the service. Click Finish. When Flash Builder configures a return type, it accesses the database to create a value object. The properties of the custom data type are derived from the value object. You can view and modify the properties of the data type before proceeding. 15 In the Bind to Data dialog, click OK.

Flash Builder binds the data returned from the service call to the DataGrid component. It modifies the columns of the DataGrid, binding the value returned for each Employee property to a column in the DataGrid. 16 Make sure the DataGrid is still selected. In the Properties view, click Configure Columns and then do the following

steps: a Select the hire_date column. Click Delete to delete the column. b Similarly, delete all columns except emp_no, first_name, and last_name. c Select the emp_no column. Click Up to move it to the first position. d In the Header Text field, rename the emp_no column to ID. e Similarly, rename the first_name and last_name columns.

f

Click OK.

17 With the DataGrid still selected, in the Properties view, specify False for the editable property. 18 Select File > Save to save the application file. Then select Run > Run PHP_Service to run the application.


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The application runs in a web browser.


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Chapter 5: Manage the access of data through paging For various performance and network bottleneck issues, you typically do not retrieve all the records in a database with a single call. Paging allows you to retrieve the records incrementally in sets, and only on an as needed basis. To use paging to retrieve records, implement a data service that includes two operations with the following signatures:

•

getItems_paged($startIndex, $numItems)

•

count()

Paging tutorial (ColdFusion) The application you create in this tutorial accesses the fb_tutorial_db database. For information on installing this database, see “Installing the Flash Builder tutorial database” on page 14. This tutorial creates an application that uses paging to populate a DataGrid.

Data grid

Create the remote service and import it into a Flex project 1 In your web root create a folder named PagingCF. 2 In your favorite ColdFusion editor, create the following CFC. Name the CFC PagingService.cfc and place it in

the PagingCF folder in your web root. PagingService.cfc contains the functions required by Flash Builder to implement paging.


32

FLEX TUTORIALS Manage the access of data through paging

SELECT * FROM employees LIMIT #startIndex#, #numItems# SELECT COUNT(emp_no) AS empCount FROM employees

3 In Flash Builder, create a Flex project. Name the project PagingCF and specify ColdFusion for the server technology

as listed below. Click Next.

• Application Server Type: ColdFusion • Enable Use Remote Object Access Service • Select ColdFusion Flash Remoting


33


New project for ColdFusion

4 Validate your ColdFusion settings and specify the PagingCF directory for the Output Folder. Click Finish. 5 From the Flash Builder Data menu, select Connect to Data Service. Select ColdFusion and click Next. 6 Click Browse and navigate to the PagingService.cfc file you created in step 2. Click Finish.


34


7 In the Flash Builder Data/Services view, from the context menu for the getItems_paged() operation, select

Configure Return Type.

8 In the Configure Return Type dialog, Auto-Detect the Return Type is selected by default. Click Next. 9 Specify values and types for the parameters to the getItems_paged() operation as described below. Click Next: Argument

Argument Type

Value

startIndex

Number

0

numItems

Number

10


35


New project configuration

10 Specify Employee in the Array Of field toto define a custom type for returned data.

Flex uses custom data types to access and update complex data types returned from a server. The Configure Return Type dialog displays the properties of the data type returned by the service. 11 Click Finish to configure the Employee return type. 12 In the Data/Services view, from the context menu for the getItems_paged() operation, select Enable Paging. 13 In the Select Unique Identifier dialog, select emp_no and click Next. 14 In the Confirm Paging dialog, leave the Page Size field blank. Specify the count() operation from the drop-down

list. Click Finish.


36


Note: By default, Flash Builder configures the page size to be 20 records. This dialog allows you to specify a custom page size for an operation.

Create an application and bind getItems_paged() to a DataGrid 1 If the MXML editor is in Source mode, select Design to open the editor in Design mode. 2 From the Components view, drag a DataGrid component onto the Design Area and place it near the top.

The DataGrid component is available under Data Controls. 3 Make sure the DataGrid component is selected, then in the Properties view specify false for the Editable attribute. 4 With the DataGrid component selected, from the Data menu select Bind to Data. 5 In the Bind to Data operation, select New Service Call. For the PagingService, select the getItems_paged()

operation. Click OK.


37


Bind To Data

6 Save and run the file.

In the application, click in the DataGrid scroll bar or move the thumb of the scroll bar to observe the paging of data.

Paging tutorial (PHP) The application you create in this tutorial accesses the employee database that you previously downloaded and installed. For information on installing this database, see “Installing the Flash Builder tutorial database” on page 14.


38


This tutorial creates an application that uses paging to populate a DataGrid.

Create the remote service and import it into a Flex project 1 In your web root create a folder named PagingPHP. In the PagingPHP directory, create a directory named services.

2 In your favorite PHP editor, create the following PHP file that implements the required paging functions. Name

the file PagingService.php and save it in the services directory.

3 In PagingService.php, modify the connection variables to provide your server, username, and password for

access to the fb_tutorial_db database.


41


4 In Flash Builder, create a Flex project. Name the project PagingPHP and specify PHP for the server technology.

Click Next.

5 Specify the Web Root and Root URL for your system. Validate your server settings and specify the PagingPHP

directory for the Output Folder. Click Finish. 6 From the Flash Builder Data menu, select Connect to Data Service. Select PHP and click Next. 7 Click Browse and navigate to the PagingService.php file you created in step 1. Click Finish.

If the Zend Framework, which includes Zend AMF, is not installed on your system, click OK to install the Zend Framework.


42


8 In the Flash Builder Data/Services view, from the context menu for the getItems_paged() operation, select

Configure Return Type.

9 In the Configure Return Type dialog, Auto-Detect the Return Type is selected by default. Click Next. 10 Specify values and types for the parameters to the getItems_paged() operation as described below. Click Next: Argument

Argument Type

Value

startIndex

int

0

numItems

int

20

11 Specify Employee in the Array Of field to define a custom type for returned data.


43


Flex uses custom data types to access and update complex data types returned from a server. The Configure Return Type dialog displays the properties of the data type returned by the service. 12 Click Finish to configure the Employee return type. 13 In the Data/Services view, from the context menu for the getItems_paged() operation, select Enable Paging. 14 In the Select Unique Identifier dialog, select emp_no and click Next. 15 In the Confirm Paging dialog, leave the Page Size field blank. Specify the count() operation from the drop-down

list. Click Finish. Note: By default, Flash Builder configures the page size to be 20 records. This dialog allows you to specify a custom page size for an operation.

Create an application and bind getItems_paged() to a DataGrid 1 If the MXML editor is in Source mode, select Design to open the MXML editor in Design mode. 2 From the Components view, drag a DataGrid component onto the Design Area and place it near the top.

The DataGrid component is available under Data Controls. 3 Make sure the DataGrid component is selected, then in the Properties view specify false for the Editable attribute. 4 With the DataGrid component selected, from the Data menu select Bind to Data.


44


5 In the Bind to Data operation, select New Service Call. For the PagingService, select the get Items Paged()

operation from the drop-down list,. Click OK.

6 Save and run the file.

In the application, click in the DataGrid scroll bar or move the thumb of the scroll bar to observe the paging of data.


45

Chapter 6: Using data management to synchronize server updates Data management features allow you to synchronize adding, updating, and deleting of records in a database. Changes you make in the client application are not written to the server until a commit method is called. You can call a revert method to roll back changes made in the client application. Additionally, data management helps synchronize your client application with the data on the service. Data management features can automatically update user interface controls that display data retrieved from a service. This tutorial shows how to use Flash Builder to implement data management. The tutorial illustrates how to synchronize data on the server and with client application controls. Data management service operations Data management requires a data service that implements one or more operations with the following signatures:

•

createItem(item:CustomDatatype):int

•

deleteItem(itemID:Number):void

•

updateItem((item: CustomDatatype):void

•

getItem(itemID:Number): CustomDatatype

CustomDatatype is a data type representing complex data returned from the server. In server-side typing, the service defines the custom data type. In client-side typing, use Flash Builder to introspect the service and configure the custom data type. Note: The required data management operation signatures listed in this tutorial are a subset of the signatures that can be used. For a complete list of the operation signatures you can use, see Enabling data management. Client-side and server-side typing This tutorial illustrates both client-side typing and server-side typing. For this tutorial, the client application accesses an Employee object from the data service. The Employee object contains fields, such as name and hire date, that define an employee. With client-side typing, you use Flash Builder wizards to introspect the data on the server and define the Employee data type in client code. With server-side typing, server code defines the Employee data type. Both PHP and ColdFusion let you define custom data types in server code. Flash Builder recognizes the custom data type during introspection of services. You do not have to walk through the wizard screens to configure the Employee data type. Whether you use server-side or client-side typing is a developer preference. Server-side typing can help enforce data integrity on the server and simplify the Flash Builder workflow. Client-side typing simplifies the service coding while using Flash Builder to define the custom data types. Note: Flash Builder can generate sample server code from a database. The sample code generated by Flash Builder illustrates client-side typing. See Generating a sample ColdFusion service from a database table and Generating a sample PHP service from a database table.


46

FLEX TUTORIALS Using data management to synchronize server updates

Data management tutorial (ColdFusion) The application you create in this tutorial accesses the fb_tutorial_db database. For information on installing this database, see “Installing the Flash Builder tutorial database” on page 14. In this tutorial, you create an application that contains an editable DataGrid that displays employee records. You can modify one or more records in place in the DataGrid. You can also add or delete selected records. All changes in the DataGrid are local until you select a Save All Changes button that updates the database.

You can implement the service in this tutorial using client-side or server-side typing. The service is defined in EmployeeService.cfc. If you use server-side typing, you define the Employee data type in a separate Employee.cfc.

The server code in EmployeeService.cfc is basically the same in both versions. However, in the version that implements server-side typing, the functions access the Employee data type defined in Employee.cfc.

• “Create the remote service and import it into a Flex project (client-side typing)” on page 46 • “Create the remote service and import it into a Flex project (server-side typing)” on page 49

Create the remote service and import it into a Flex project (client-side typing) 1 In your web root create a folder named DataMgtCF. 2 In your favorite ColdFusion editor, create the following CFC. Name the CFC EmployeeService.cfc and place it

in the DataMgtCF folder in your web root. EmployeeService.cfc contains the functions required by Flash Builder to implement data management.


47


SELECT * FROM employees SELECT * FROM employees WHERE emp_no = INSERT INTO employees (first_name, last_name, gender, birth_date, hire_date) VALUES (, , )

UPDATE employees SET birth_date = ,


48


hire_date = , gender = , first_name = , last_name = WHERE emp_no = DELETE FROM employees WHERE emp_no =

3 In Flash Builder, create a Flex project. Name the project DataMgtCF. Specify ColdFusion for the server technology


• Application Server Type: ColdFusion • Enable Use Remote Object Access Service • Select ColdFusion Flash Remoting 4 Validate your ColdFusion settings and specify the DataMgtCF folder for the Output Folder. Click Finish. 5 From the Flash Builder Data menu, select Connect to Data/Service. Select ColdFusion. Click Next. 6 Click Browse and navigate to the EmployeeService.cfc file you created in step 2. Click Finish.

Provide authorization credentials as needed for your system. 7 In the Flash Builder Data/Services view, from the context menu for the getItem() operation, select Configure

Return Type. Flash Builder requires a custom data type for data returned from the data service. By introspecting the getItem() operation, you can define the custom data type Employee. 8 In the Configure Return Type dialog, Auto-Detect the Return Type is selected by default. Click Next. 9 Specify a value and type for the parameter to the getItem() operation as described below. Click Next: Argument

Argument Type

Value

itemID

Number

10001

For getItem(), you supply a valid parameter corresponding to the key field for the database. Number and 10001 are valid type and value for itemID 10 Specify Employee in the Array Of field to define a custom type for returned data.

Flex uses custom data types to access and update complex data types returned from a server. getItem() returns the fields of a record from the Employees table in the database The Configure Return Type dialog displays the properties of the data type returned by the service.


49


11 Click Finish to configure the Employee return type. 12 In the Flash Builder Data/Services view, from the context menu for the getAllItems() operation, select Configure

Return Type. 13 In the Configure Return Type dialog, Auto-Detect the Return Type is selected by default. Click Next. 14 Select Use an Existing Data Type. Select Employee from the Array Of drop-down list to specify an array of

Employees. Click Finish. Next:“Enable Data Management Features” on page 51

Create the remote service and import it into a Flex project (server-side typing) 1 In your web root create a folder named DataMgtCF. 2 In your favorite ColdFusion editor, create the following CFC. Name the CFC Employee.cfc and place it in the DataMgtCF folder. Employee.cfc defines the Employee data type that is returned by the service.

3 Now create EmployeeService.cfc and place it in the DataMgtCF folder alongside Employee.cfc. EmployeeService.cfc contains the functions required by Flash Builder to implement data management. SELECT * FROM employees


50


SELECT * FROM employees WHERE emp_no = INSERT INTO employees (first_name, last_name, gender, birth_date, hire_date) VALUES ()

UPDATE employees SET birth_date = , hire_date = , gender = , first_name = , last_name = WHERE emp_no = DELETE FROM employees WHERE emp_no =


51


4 In Flash Builder, create a Flex project. Name the project DataMgtCF. Specify ColdFusion for the server technology


• Application Server Type: ColdFusion • Enable Use Remote Object Access Service • Select ColdFusion Flash Remoting 5 Validate your ColdFusion settings and specify the DataMgtCF folder for the Output Folder. Click Finish. 6 From the Flash Builder Data menu, select Connect to Data/Service. Select ColdFusion. Click Next. 7 Click Browse and navigate to the EmployeeService.cfc file you created in step 2. Click Finish.

Provide authorization credentials as needed for your system. Next:“Enable Data Management Features” on page 51

Enable Data Management Features 1 In the Data/Services view, expand the Data Types node for EmployeeService and select the Employee data type. 2 From the context menu for the Employee data type, select Enable Data Management.

3 In the Select Unique Identifier dialog, select emp_id and click Next. 4 In the Map Database Operations dialog, specify the following operations. Click Finish.

• Create (Add) Operation: createEmployee( • Get Item Operation: getEmployee(

)

)

• Update Operation: updateEmployee(

)


52


• Delete Operation: deleteEmployee

( )

Data management is now enabled for this operation. Flash Builder generates client code that can update data using a combination of the mapped operations. Next:“Create the application and add a DataGrid and Buttons” on page 52

Create the application and add a DataGrid and Buttons 1 If the MXML editor is in Source mode, select Design to open the MXML editor in Design mode. 2 From the Components view, drag a DataGrid component onto the Design Area and place it near the top.

The DataGrid component is available under Data Controls. 3 In the Properties view, with the DataGrid selected, specify the following properties: Property

Value

ID

dg

Editable

true

4 Drag four Buttons to the Design Area, lining them up beneath the DataGrid. 5 Double-click each button to edit their labels. Provide the following Labels: Label Add


53


Label Delete Revert Save All Changes

6 In the Data/Services view, select the getAllEmployees() operation and drop it onto the DataGrid.

In the Bind to Data dialog, EmployeeService and getAllEmployees() are selected. Click OK.

7 (Optional) With the DataGrid selected, in the Properties view Click Configure Columns and do the following:

Rename and rearrange the columns. Next:“Generate event handlers for the Buttons” on page 53

Generate event handlers for the Buttons Each Button requires an event handler to specify the action to take when the Button is clicked. Flash Builder generates stubs for event handlers, which you can then code to specify the service actions to take. 1 Select the Add button. In Properties view, near the On Click field of the Add button, click the icon. Select Generate

Event Handler. The MXML editor changes to Source View, placing the cursor in the generated event handler. 2 In the event handler body, specify the implementation for the event.

The data types differ slightly for the client-side and server-side implementations. Make sure to use the correct code for the event handler. Client-side typing:


54


var e:Employee = new Employee(); var birthDate:Date = new Date(2000, 01, 01); var hireDate:Date = new Date(2000, 01, 01); e.first_name = "New"; e.last_name = "New"; e.birth_date = birthDate; e.hire_date = hireDate; e.gender = "M"; dg.dataProvider.addItem(e); dg.verticalScrollPosition = dg.dataProvider.length -1;

Server-side typing: var e:Employee = new Employee(); var birthDate:Date = new Date(2000, 01, 01); var hireDate:Date = new Date(2000, 01, 01); e.fname = "New"; e.lname = "New"; e.bdate = birthDate; e.hdate = hireDate; e.gender = "M"; dg.dataProvider.addItem(e); dg.verticalScrollPosition = dg.dataProvider.length -1;

3 In the Script block, add the following import statement after the existing import statements: import services.employeeservice.EmployeeService; import valueObjects.Employee;

4 In Design mode, add an On Click event handler for the Delete button.

The data types differ slight for the client-side and server-side implementations. Make sure to use the correct code for the event handler. Client-side typing: employeeService.deleteEmployee(dg.selectedItem.emp_no);

Server-side typing: employeeService.deleteEmployee(dg.selectedItem.emp_id);

5 Similarly, add an On Click event handler for the Revert button with the following code: employeeService.getDataManager(employeeService.DATA_MANAGER_EMPLOYEE).revertChanges(); getAllEmployeesResult.token = employeeService.getAllEmployees();

6 Add an On click event handler for the Save All Changes button with the following code: employeeService.commit();

7 For the creationCompleteHandler() for the DataGrid, add the following lines of code: protected function dg_creationCompleteHandler(event:FlexEvent):void { employeeService.getDataManager(employeeService.DATA_MANAGER_EMPLOYEE).autoCommit=false; employeeService.getDataManager(employeeService.DATA_MANAGER_EMPLOYEE).deleteItemOnRemoveFro mFill=true; getAllItemsResult.token = employeeService.getAllItems(); }


55


This code makes sure that deleted items can be reverted by selecting the Revert button. 8 Save the application and select Run > Run DataMgtCF.

You can update employees in place in the DataGrid. When you click Save All Changes, the changes are updated on the server. The server is updated is because the data management feature calls the updateItem() operation to keep the data synchronized between the client and the server. Click the Revert button to undo any changes you made before you click Save All Changes. You can add and delete employees. When you add and delete employees, the data management features take care of adding or removing the DataGrid rows. Without data management enabled, you code the updates to the DataGrid yourself. When you add an employee, the Employee Number defaults to zero. This default value is because the new employee has not been updated on the server. When you click Save All Changes, the new employee is added to the server. At that time, an Employee Number is generated. Click the Save All Changes button to write all changes to the database.

Data management tutorial (PHP) The application you create in this tutorial accesses the employee database that you previously downloaded and installed. For information on installing this database, see “Installing the Flash Builder tutorial database” on page 14.


56


In this tutorial, you create an application that contains an editable DataGrid that displays employee records. You can modify one or more records in place in the DataGrid. You can also add or delete selected records. All changes in the DataGrid are local until you select a Save All Changes button that updates the database.

You can implement the service in this tutorial using client-side or server-side typing. The service is defined in EmployeeService.php. If you use server-side typing, you define the Employee data type in a separate Employee class defined in EmployeeService.php. The server code in EmployeeService.php is basically the same in both versions. However, in the version that implements server-side typing, the functions access the Employee data type defined in the Employee class.

• “Create the remote service and import it into a Flex project (client-side typing)” on page 56 • “Create the remote service and import it into a Flex project (server-side typing)” on page 60

Create the remote service and import it into a Flex project (client-side typing) 1 In your web root, create a folder named DataMgtPHP. Within that folder, create a folder named services. 2 In your favorite PHP editor, create the following PHP file, which implements a service. Name the file EmployeeService.php and place it in the DataMgtPHP/services folder in your web root.


57


3 Modify the connection variables to provide your server, user name, and password for access to the fb_tutorial_db database.

4 In Flash Builder, create a Flex project. Name the project DataMgtPHP and specify PHP for the server technology.

Click Next. 5 Specify the Web Root and Root URL for your system. Validate your server settings. Specify the DataMgtPHP

directory for the Output Folder. Click Finish. 6 From the Flash Builder Data menu, select Connect to Data Service. Select PHP. Click Next. 7 Click Browse and navigate to the EmployeeService.php file you created in step 2. Select EmployeeService.php.

Click Finish. 8 In the Flash Builder Data/Services view, from the context menu for the getEmployeesbyID() operation, select

Configure Return Type. Flash Builder requires a custom data type for data returned from the data service. By introspecting the getEmployeesbyID() operation, you can define the custom data type Employee. 9 In the Configure Return Type dialog, Auto-Detect the Return Type is selected by default. Click Next. 10 Specify a value and type for the parameter to the getEmployeesByID() operation as described below. Click Next: Argument

Argument Type

Value

itemID

int

10001


60


For getEmployeesByID(), you supply a valid parameter corresponding to the key field for the database. int and 10001 are valid type and value for itemID. 11 Specify Employee to define a custom type for returned data.

Flex uses custom data types to access and update complex data types returned from a server. getEmployeesByID() returns the fields of a record from the Employees table in the database The Configure Return Type dialog displays the properties of the data type returned by the service. 12 Click Finish to configure Employee as the return type. 13 In the Flash Builder Data/Services view, from the context menu for the getAllEmployees() operation, select

Configure Return Type. 14 In the Configure Return Type dialog, Auto-Detect the Return Type is selected by default. Click Next. 15 Select Use an Existing Data Type. Select Employee from the Array Of drop-down list. Click Finish. 16 Configure the parameter type and return type for deleteEmployees() as follows: a From the context menu for the deleteEmployees() operation, select Configure Input Types. Specify int for the

type. Click OK. b From the context menu for the deleteEmployees() operation, select Configure Return Type. Select Use An

Existing Type. Specify void. Click Finish. Next:“Enable Data Management Features” on page 64

Create the remote service and import it into a Flex project (server-side typing) This release of Flash Builder uses PHP DocBlock comments to recognize server-side data type. The sample service in this example shows how to use DocBlock comments to define a custom data type. The example also shows how to specify a data type for function arguments and return values. 1 In your web root, create a folder named DataMgtPHP. Within that folder, create a folder named services. 2 In your favorite PHP editor, create the following PHP file, which implements a service. The service also contains

an Employee class that defines the Employee data type. Name the file EmployeeService.php and place it in the DataMgtPHP/services folder in your web root.


61


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