Free! - mini-review&competition of XML for Flash

From the back cover

XML is an important technology that allows people and applications to share data in self-describing documents. Many software packages support XML data exchange, and most major databases can share information using XML. Therefore, an understanding of XML is essential for anyone working in web development.

And this includes Flash! You can load external XML data and include it within your Flash movies, and also send XML content from Flash in a flexible XML framework to create visually appealing and usable rich Internet applications.

In this book, Sas Jacobs shows you how. She first introduces XML and related technologies, and then covers the different ways that Flash can work with XML content, including the XML class, data components, XML sockets, and web services.

Throughout the book, you will build many different fully functional examples, including an MP3 player, an XML photo gallery, an address book manager, and an XML-driven chat application. Some of these examples utilize Office 2003 for the PC and ASP.NET or PHP.

You should read this book if you're a Flash designer or developer and you have a basic understanding of ActionScript. The book supports Flash 8, but much of the content is suitable for any version of Flash from 5 up. Whether you're new to XML or ActionScript, or an experienced Flash developer, Foundation XML for Flash is essential reading.

Overview

What you will learn from this book

Add XML content to Flash applications with the XML class
Use data components to import XML documents and bind data to user interface components
Work with web services and display their results within Flash
Generate XML content from Word, Excel, and Access 2003
Build simple Flash XML applications.

Who this book is for

This book is great for readers that are new to XML for Flash. The book is also well suited for intermediate developers as it covers quite a few interesting topics. The book might contain a few tips and tricks for advanced developers but it is mainly suited for intermediates and beginners.

Conclusion

Because of her natural talent to explain things in an easy and enjoyable way, Sas Jacobs, the author of this book, is one of our favourite writers at DMXzone.com . This book is no exception and it will be a great addition to your library.

Sas Jacobs takes you from introducing XML to building XML applications in Flash. Numerous example applications are built throughout the book, including an MP3 player, XML photo gallery, a web catalogue, a content management system, and an XML-driven chat application.

Some of the screenshots are a bit fussy but newer, clearer versions can be downloaded from the Friends of Ed site, which is a good thing.

If you're a developer that wants to learn more about XML for Flash this book is a must have!

Competition

The friendly people of Friends of ED are giving away 5 books. All you need to do, to enter the competition is; download the extract (press read more and then download sample PDF on your right), which is all about Using the XML Class and answer the following question:

What is a recursive function? Please use the exact description of the sample PDF.

Send your answer to this e-mail address, before Thursday the 16th of February 2006. Don't forget to include your post address and phone number (required for international shipping) in the e-mail.

Good Luck!

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