----- Original Message -----
From: "Omar Fouad" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: "Flash Coders List" <[email protected]>
Sent: Saturday, January 26, 2008 8:23 PM
Subject: [Flashcoders] Flash and Database Issue - Need Advice
Alright,
it's been two years since I begun developing flash websites, but only now
I
understand the benefits of a database driven Flash online application.
I am trying to figure out the different techniques, advantages and
disadvantages of how Flash, Flex and AIR can connect to a database, and
hence read - write data to it on run time.
I've read a lot concerning this issue and what I need is some advice from
you flash experts, seen you have obviously more experience than me.
What I've understand is that:
1 - Flash can only connect to database using a serverside script such as
php;
Generally true, though there is FlashSQL (just google it) - that's not an
endorsment.
2 - Flex can connect to database using serverside scripts and can connect
to
database directly (Flex 3), but it is a very bad idea since the swf files
can be decompliled and hence, the data can be accessed by anyone;
Flex produces AS3 and from what I hear is currently resilient to
decomoilation. Since Flex produces AS3 code, Flash is as vulnerable to
decompilation as Flex, and definitely more so in pre AS3 versions. Generally
speaking, it's far safer having a server side component than giving a Flex
or Flash program direct access to a database (again, there is FlexSQL).
Although Flex 3 has database support, my understanding is that it still
requires server side scripting/database components - it's not accessing the
database directly from the client.
3 - AIR can connect to a local Database (SQLite), or can connect to an
online database using serverside Scripts.
Correct.
At this point, I've approached two ways to process database data with
Flash...
The first one is to Post data from flash to a php file, (with LoadVar) -->
PHP connects to the database, executes the queries, and returns to the SWF
a
data string (using print or echo).
The second way (and apparently the most used) is to let php print or echo
the data queried from the database, in an XML format that flash Processes
using the XML Class or whatsoever.
Now here is the question... Which one is best, of those two methods? What
are the advantages, and disadvantages of each one? Which one can I use to
bulid a CMS based Application?
I would go the XML route. You can use XML in both directions if you wish.
For an CMS application I would use Flex every time. Whatever you fear about
security using Flex is equally applicable to Flash.
Paul
Thanks for your Time.
And Best Regards.
--
Omar M. Fouad - Digital Emotions
http://www.omarfouad.net
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