> We have a CF-based CMS / CRM application. We are starting to > look into making the administrative interfaces richer and > more sexy. We're heard a fair amount about the benefits of > both flex and ajax for this. > > Do folks on this list have preferences that they would be > willing to share or information about the trade-offs inherent > in this choice?
I strongly prefer Flex over AJAX, even after working with AJAX applications for many years. (Maybe especially after doing so.) AJAX is a set of band-aids on top of the gaping wound that is HTML applications. Flex applications are much more like "real" desktop applications in the way they work. And it feels good to work in a unified, stateful environment with a clear separation of display and application logic. Advantages of Flex: - not browser-dependent - can easily provide functionality that's difficult in AJAX - can easily provide functionality that's simply impossible in AJAX using LiveCycle Data Services (which is bundled with CF 8) - can build applications that behave much more like desktop applications - much more elegant development model - if you're familiar with "traditional" desktop application development, it's easy to learn Flex - if you want to build actual desktop applications with AIR, Flex seems to be an easier approach Advantages of AJAX: - if you're already familiar with HTML applications, JavaScript and CSS, there's less of a learning curve - not dependent on the Flash Player - don't require as much "buy-in": you can start with a simple HTML interface, and add AJAX features piecemeal if you like. - can more easily degrade to a simpler interface In either case, though, you'll typically want to build a services interface for your application using CFCs, which will be invoked by either a Flex or AJAX front-end. Dave Watts, CTO, Fig Leaf Software http://www.figleaf.com/ Fig Leaf Software provides the highest caliber vendor-authorized instruction at our training centers in Washington DC, Atlanta, Chicago, Baltimore, Northern Virginia, or on-site at your location. Visit http://training.figleaf.com/ for more information! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~| Adobe® ColdFusion® 8 software 8 is the most important and dramatic release to date Get the Free Trial http://ad.doubleclick.net/clk;192386516;25150098;k Archive: http://www.houseoffusion.com/groups/CF-Talk/message.cfm/messageid:305990 Subscription: http://www.houseoffusion.com/groups/CF-Talk/subscribe.cfm Unsubscribe: http://www.houseoffusion.com/cf_lists/unsubscribe.cfm?user=11502.10531.4
