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This article mainly introduces what is the X2O framework of Flex Server integration. It is very detailed and has a certain reference value. Friends who are interested must read it!

X2O framework for Flex Server integration

With the continuous maturity of RIA technology, the demand for the integration of RIAs and server technology is becoming more and more urgent. The X2O framework from WeAreMammoth is such an integration solution for Flex. InfoQ had the privilege of interviewing WeAreMammoth collaborator KaWaiCheung to learn how the X2O framework adapts to Flex-based RIA development.

What is the X2O framework integrated by ◆ InfoQ:Flex Server?

Cheung:X2O is a Web-based data modeling platform for AdobeFlex applications. It allows you to quickly build database-driven Flex applications without any server-side code or settings.

With X2O, you don't have to create your own database, build stored procedures, write server-side code, or even integrate your AS3 code into data services. All these things are done for you by X2O.

Instead, you just need to create a data model (and configure it more or less if necessary) and generate a framework. Then you can immediately use the generated code and tools to build your Flex application. In particular, you will get a secure CMS to manage data, an AS3SWC file customized to your data model, and all documents. X2O will create value objects, relationships that contain basic CRUD methods, and generate custom loading methods based on your configuration.

Since all of this is done through Web, there is no need for installation. All you have to do is put the generated SWC library into your Flex project. You can modify the data model and regenerate it all, so X2O is an agile platform.

◆ InfoQ: why create the X2O framework, and what problems does it solve?

A major problem with Cheung:FlexRIA development is that it requires developers to have a very wide range of knowledge. Developers need to be proficient in databases, some server-side language (such as PHP, Ruby, C #, etc.), client-server integration (remoting, webservices, or SOAP), and, of course, write AS3/MXML and build on architectures like MVC/Cairngorm.

X2O simplifies the entire Flex development process by dealing with all the tedious server-side programming and integration that used to take several developers days or even weeks to complete. This allows Flex developers to focus entirely on Flex while also having complete control over how the data is constructed.

In essence, X2O allows Flex developers to focus on their domain, just like server-side developers, without knowing other languages.

In addition, X2O is entirely based on web. No installation or setup is required other than your Flex development environment. If there is any problem that needs to be solved, it may be that X2O combines rapid Flex development with cloud programming.

There is a growing need to simplify client-side and server-side integration with Flex. The WebORB plug-in for Rails is interesting-but what makes X2O different is that you don't have to write any server-side code or do any integration. X2O developers only need to write code in the Flex environment to push / pull data, while also having complete control over the data model.

What is the server-side architecture of X2O integrated by ◆ InfoQ:Flex Server?

Cheung: the server side of an X2O project is never exposed to developers because it always runs behind the scenes remotely. In a nutshell, X2O generates a database, stored procedures, a data access layer, and a web services layer. The SWC file (which the developer needs to download and put into the Flex project) integrates directly with the web services layer. The developer only needs to call the method on the value object in the SWC file, and the rest of the code is generated. We also encrypt requests and responses between the client and the server.

As I said before, a secure CMS and documentation are also generated-- they run as separate sites on the server.

◆ InfoQ: what technologies are used to develop X2O and how are they used?

The underlying Cheung:X2O is built on. Net. So we now use SQLServer2005 and .NET 2.0. We also generate ASDocs through the open source Flex framework.

What is a typical usage scenario for X2O integration with ◆ InfoQ:Flex Server?

Cheung:X2O can be applied to any database-driven Flex project. Over the past two years, our company (WeAreMammoth) has developed a lot of things using X2O, from simple sites with only static content to interactive applications with a lot of data that contain a lot of business logic.

We also found X2O to be very useful for prototyping. In general, prototype utilization in Flex is low, because when you start developing a "real" version, most prototypes are discarded. With X2O, you can develop a data model in a few minutes and integrate it with real, managed data immediately. This allows us to seamlessly transform prototypes into real applications.

◆ InfoQ: is it free and what are its release plans?

Cheung:X2O is currently in public beta and is free during the beta version. During this time, we allow developers to register and create two free projects to familiarize themselves with the way X2O works.

We plan to release a full version of X2O in 2009, which will have a free version (just like the beta version) and a paid version. The latter will vary in terms of project limitations and functionality (such as deploying the development version and formal version of the framework).

These are all the contents of the article "what is the X2O Framework for Flex Server Integration?" Thank you for reading! Hope to share the content to help you, more related knowledge, welcome to follow the industry information channel!

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