The document discusses the Flash platform which includes tools, frameworks, and services for building Rich Internet Applications (RIAs) using Adobe Flash technologies. It provides an overview of the Flash runtime environments (Flash Player, AIR), programming languages (ActionScript, MXML), and developer tools (Flash, Flex Builder). It also compares Flash/Flex to other RIA technologies like Silverlight and WPF, outlines Flash video publishing workflows, and provides details on the Flash Media Interactive Server.

1. Flash Platform
Introduction
Atom Lin
2009/03/05

2. Flash Platform
Designer Tools RIA Clients
Flash Player Adobe AIR
RIA Frameworks and Programming Languages
Adobe Creative
Suite Adobe Flex 3 ActionScript 3 MXML
Developer Tools
HTTP/S, Sockets, AMF, RTMP, SOAP, WS*, REST, …
Servers/Services
.NET JAVA PHP
Adobe Flash Flex Builder
Flash Media Server

3. Flash Platform
Designer Tools RIA Clients
Flash Player Adobe AIR
RIA Frameworks and Programming Languages
Adobe Creative
Suite Adobe Flex 3 ActionScript 3 MXML
Developer Tools
HTTP/S, Sockets, AMF, RTMP, SOAP, WS*, REST, …
Servers/Services
.NET JAVA PHP
Adobe Flash Flex Builder
Flash Media Server

4. Flash Platform
.swf
RIA Flash Lite 3
Flash (Browser) (Mobile & Devices)
(Browser runtime)
Flash
.air
Flex Builder 3 Adobe Integrated Runtime
(Desktop runtime) AIR Application
(Desktop)

5. Technology Comparison
RIA (Browser Base)
Microsoft Adobe
Technology SliverLight Flash Flex
User Environment SliverLight Flash Player
Developer Tool Virtual Studio Adobe Flash Flex Builder
Programming C# ActionScript
ActionScript
Languages XAML MXML
Design Tool Expression Blend Adobe Creative Suit
Supported OS Windows / Mac Windows / Mac / Linux
Supported Back .NET .NET / JAVA / PHP / ColdFusion / FMS
End Technology
Penetration ? 90% +

6. Technology Comparison
Desktop Application
Microsoft Adobe
Technology WPF AIR
Deployment File
.exe .air
Format
User Environment .NET Framework AIR
Developer Tool Virtual Studio Adobe Flash Flex Builder
Programming C# ActionScript
ActionScript
Languages XAML MXML
Design Tool Expression Blend Adobe Creative Suit
Supported OS Windows Windows / Mac / Linux
Supported Back .NET .NET / JAVA / PHP / ColdFusion / FMS
End Technology

7. Technology Comparison
Advantage
• High penetration -- over 90% pc has flash player installed
• Easy implement -- ActionScript + MXML easy to learning
• Cross platform -- Windows / Mac / Linux
• Multi-screen -- Browser (Flash player) / Desktop (AIR) / Device (Flash
Lite) . Easy to publish to each different platform without code change
• Flexible -- MVC / DDD / Design pattern could easy to implement
• Powerful user experience -- Animation, 2D effect, 3D effect, video and
dragNdrop could easy to implement. Easy to development RIA and
online game
• Great back end integration -- Support HTTP/S, SOAP .. standard web
transport. Also could use AMF, Flex Data Service. AMF / FDS provide
binary transport could reduce bandwidth usage.
• Better working flow -- Easy co-work with designer.

8. Technology Comparison
Disadvantage
• Develop team need to study Flash/Flex related technology
• Need to use Adobe tools (Flash / Flex builder / Creative suit)

9. Flash Version Comparison
Flash Player AIR ActionScript Flash Flex Flash Lite
(Desktop) (mobile)
ActionScript 1
FP6 - Flash MX - Flash Lite 1
(Simple script)
ActionScript 2 Flash MX Flash Lite 2 /
FP7 - -
(Simple OO) 2004 2.1
ActionScript 2
FP8 - Flash 8 Flex 1/1.5 Flash Lite 3
(Simple OO)
ActionScript 3
FP9 AIR 1.0 Flash CS3 Flex 2/3
(Strong OO)
ActionScript 3
FP10 AIR 1.5 Flash CS4 Flex 3
(Strong OO)
ActionScript 3 Flash Lite 4
FP10.1 AIR 2.0 Flash CS5 Flex 4
(Strong OO) (??)

10. Flash Video Publish Flow
Publisher Server User
RTMP
Desktop
(Browser / AIR)
RTMP
Flash Media Server
RTMP
Flash Media Device
(Flash Lite 3)

11. Flash Video Publish Flow
Publisher Server User
RTMP
Desktop
(Browser / AIR)
RTMP
Flash Media Server
RTMP
Flash Media Device
(Flash Lite 3)

12. Flash Media Interactive Server 3.5
• Video / Audio Streaming
• Data / Message Broadcast and Sync
• Dynamic Streaming
• HD video (H.264 / AAC)
• 128-bit encryption / SSL
• Server-side ActionScript / Shared Object
• AMF 3.0 / SOAP / LDAP
• Mobile video delivery to Flash Lite 3
• DVR functionality
• C++ plug-in

13. FMS 3.5 Requirements
Software
Windows Server 2003 SP2 /2008
Linux Red Hat 4 / 5.2
Hardware
• 3.2GHz Intel Pentium 4
Minimum • 2GB of RAM
• 1GB Ethernet card
• Dual Intel Xeon ( or faster )
Recommended • 4GB of RAM
• 1GB Ethernet card