I am architecting an RIA that needs to be able to connect via TCP/IP to a back-end server. I've looked at a lot of technologies, and Flex 2.0 Flash seems to be the best front end solution.
4 questions: 1) I'm assuming that Flex retains the Flash socket ability to communication over TCP/IP? 2) All of the extremely expensive licensing for Flex Data Services has me a little spooked. If all I want to do is deliver a Flex Flash app on the client that talks to a back end server over TCP/IP, I don't need to be paying for Flex Data Services, correct? There are no licensing fees to distribute regular Flex applications? 3) If I want to do some simple 2-D pie charts, will I need to buy the Adobe Flex Charting? Or is ther some basic charting built into Flex? 4) How much easier is it to build a Flex app with Flex Builder than with the SDK? I'll probably just download the trial and find out myself on this one. Thanks!
