I currently use the ruby gem sprouts for compiling Flex apps. I
would love to see a version
packaged for a mod_perl system. It really is all about learning what
makes the flex compiler
work then strapping to perl instead of php or ruby. I would love to
help with a project like this
but don't have the resources to take point.
Our website builder is completely mod_perl on the backend and uses
Flash on the front/middle.
We also have html output too:
http://www.habitatlife.com/
Our system could benefit a lot from being able to compile SWFs on the
fly; right now they're all
static files loaded dynamically. I could see making them dynamically
as needed, while still serving
up the static renditions.
-bop
On Dec 2, 2007, at 5:45 PM, Will Fould wrote:
So, we're using Flex now for a couple neat tools that started as an
(real simple) experiment with some feeds we produce. I'm sure a
lot of other front end developers are too and just don't realize
that they are connecting to modperl backends. Subtle details aside,
Flex is cool at this point for limited stuff (think admin and site
builder/configuration tools, etc.). Especially with the ubiquity of
the flash RTE and the buzz around AIR. But we also use Ajax quite
a bit and like that too.
For those that have not updated their buzzword file lately: Flex is
a client application building platform that connects easily to
services - The Flex sdk, etc., (yes, from Adobe) have recently been
open-sourced (ala Mozilla). At first glance, Flex appears to be
just Flash (using .swf files and the flash RTE) but it does not
require the backwards animation-style dev-metaphor of flash - It's
basically a very different game all together and there is a lot of
documentation out there about what makes it different. (Google:
"Flex verses Flash")
At this point, in no way will Flex applications substitute core web/
browser stuff for us (or even some browser stuff that work very
well and simply with ajax), but it does make a lot of sense in
certain key places where a browser is still quite kludgey.
Frankly, it's also nice for recruiting right now (Perrin: Looking
for a new job? LOL.)
In any case, it would be nice to see more traction using modperl
+Flex. While it makes a lot of sense from where I sit - it's true:
Google provides virtual no pages that share those key words - a sad
and curious surprise especially considering the fact the O'Reilly
Flex book has actually reached the popularity of the Perl DBI book
(according to the O'Reilly amazon rep). Perhaps a page on the
Flex.org site would do a LOT of good for this community which is
certainly much larger than the Perl Marketing department
indicates ; ).
Any other reference sites or tools?
On Dec 2, 2007 3:06 PM, Perrin Harkins <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
On Dec 1, 2007 3:22 PM, Will Fould <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> Have you thought about it too?
Yes. It sounds possibly quicker than AJAX, which is pretty
time-consuming to develop for anything non-trivial. (Google makes it
look easy, but they probably spent millions debugging those maps on
multiple browsers.) I haven't tried it, but my approach would be to
convert one of the PHP examples.
- Perrin
