The latest version of Flex 4 was released by Adobe today. Adobe also released today the latest version of Flex Builder, now called Flash Builder 4. In case you’re not familiar with these products, Flex 4 is an open-source framework for generating Flash content that can run in a Web browser through a Flash plug-in, in a standalone Flash Player, or on the desktop using Adobe AIR. Using the Flex 4 SDK, any text editor, and a command-line interface, you can create Flash content for no cost. This is Flash content developed from a programming perspective, by the way, not graphically, like the original Flash.
Flash Builder is a commercial IDE, based upon the popular Eclipse IDE, that greatly facilitates Flex development. It is available in a 60-day trial and is clearly the best way to learn Flex, in my opinion. But I acknowledge the Flash Builder isn’t cheap. Still, a 60-day trial is more than generous enough to see for yourself if you’re interested in learning Flex.
I’m currently half-way through my book on Flex 4. It’ll probably come out in July; price to be determined. I believe an excerpt of it will be posted on the publisher’s Web site this week (I will post that link once I have it), and the entire book will be readable through Peachpit Press’ Safari Books Online. I’ll post more details about this when I have them.
