We have a debate going here and were wondering what everyone else?s opinion was
on what the best way is to display dynamic data from a SQL database on an IIS
server on a flash project using Flash 8. I know most people have their favorite
way but what is the consensus on the best way (less effort and cost) to display
dynamic data in a flash 8 project.
Any and all opinions are welcomed but please try to say why you think your way
is best.

Thank you...

What is the budget? :-)


The Flash UI components should provide the most opportunity for less effort
and cost if you accept them for their native look and feel.

--
Lon Hosford
www.lonhosford.com
May many happy bits flow your way!
[quoted text, click to view]
We have a debate going here and were wondering what everyone else?s opinion
was
on what the best way is to display dynamic data from a SQL database on an
IIS
server on a flash project using Flash 8. I know most people have their
favorite
way but what is the consensus on the best way (less effort and cost) to
display
dynamic data in a flash 8 project.
Any and all opinions are welcomed but please try to say why you think your
way
is best.

Thank you...

The flash UI components will connect to a SQL database on an IIS server with no
additional help from Coldfusion or something else like XML? If so do you know
where I can find a tutorial on how to achieve this?

Yes you do not need to use ColdFusion. You can use PHP, ASP, ASP.net, JSP,
and whatever serverside language. They communicate with LoadVars and XML
Actionscript objects you create or the Data components if you choose to use
them.

You can look into binding Flash UI components to the Flash Data (connection)
components. I cannot comment on the efficiency in development using the Data
components because I have not put them to the iron in a real app. But their
goal is to remove the code that you use to map UI to Data Comm. Yet you have
to learn to use them and work within their design. Also I think they are XML
based.

My preference is to use Flash UI components for routine items, build Flashy
(pun) components for apps or parts of apps needing them, and the use my own
data com code using either the LoadVars (URL Vars from CGI protocols) or the
XML Actionscript classes.

LoadVars is a non-XML alternative if you like.

As for tutorials you get some with the product that I have found
enlightening. Here is the intro page link.
http://livedocs.macromedia.com/flash/8/main/00000101.html

And as well the examples they have with a lot of the help are working
examples that provide good insights.
Example: LoadVars: http://livedocs.macromedia.com/flash/8/main/00002336.html
XML: http://livedocs.macromedia.com/flash/8/main/00002879.html

Then when you have a specific area for focus, you might post a thread for
more on that item.



--
Lon Hosford
www.lonhosford.com
May many happy bits flow your way!
[quoted text, click to view]
The flash UI components will connect to a SQL database on an IIS server with
no
additional help from Coldfusion or something else like XML? If so do you
know
where I can find a tutorial on how to achieve this?