Flash and XML: A Developer's Guide (Paperback)

Instead of just "gee-whiz" animation or cool user interfaces, Flash pros need to build truly useful sites that are viable for the long-term. That means interfacing Flash with dynamic content, backend databases, server-based applications, and even with other live users. The key to all these is XML. Now, there's a book that shows you exactly how to build enterprise Flash applications that integrate XML -- and leverage its full power. Flash and XML is structured in 19 progressive lessons. In each lesson, the authors teach a key principle of Flash enterprise integration by first explaining it, and then demonstrating it with working code. The book begins with an introduction to Flash and ActionScript that's ideal for working developers, and also serves as a useful refresher for Flash professionals. Next, the authors introduce XML, review the role of HTTP in Web development, and start writing PHP-based server code for accessing back-end data. Next, they show how to extend Flash and server-side systems to a third-tier, connecting with back-end databases via SQL. Every chapter's code samples build on what's come before, constructing a robust application that encompasses client-side Flash code, server-side XML, back-end remote database access, and even emulated "peer-to-peer" connections. For both Flash professionals (with or without XML experience) and software engineers involved in Web development (with or without Flash experience).

"This book is an exceptional training manual to bring a web developer or flash designer with scripting skills into an entirely new world of coding."
--Christopher Ian Smith,
XML Developer, RespondTV.com

"This is a 'must-read' for any Flash developer."
--John Paul Rawlins, Editor
FlashNewz.com

Flash and XML shows designers and developers how to integrate these powerful technologies and create dynamic web sites. With this thoroughly readable guide you take Flash to the next level, interfacing ActionScript with XML. Empower your Flash projects with dynamic content, backend databases, server-based applications, peer-to-peer, and more.

Flash and XML is a tutorial that brings you up to speed on both technologies, offering clear and concise explanations. In addition, this book presents a number of important web technologies, including PHP, MySQL, and sockets. It shows how to work with these technologies to create n-tier, interactive systems that access the full resources of the Internet.

Sample projects (trivia game, XML browser, simple chat) showcase the capabilities of Flash and XML together and demonstrate important concepts, approaches, and techniques.

The companion web site at http://www.FlashandXML.com contains all of the source code referenced in the book, as well as updates, discussion groups, and links to other resources.

Containing plentiful examples, experience-based techniques, and just enough theory, Flash and XML is a one-stop sourcebook that will guide you in the development of web sites that are not only animated, interactive, and powerful, but extremely useful as well.

Specific topics covered include:

• Flash architecture
• ActionScript techniques
• XML in detail--for Flash developers
• DTD specification
• Internet request and response: HTTP
• Server scripting with PHP
• Basic SQL syntax
• Designing MySQL databases
• From MySQL to Flash via XML and PHP
• Cookies
• Packet sniffers
• Escaping the Domain Perimeter
• XML Sockets and streaming data
• Multi-user communication in Flash

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