S. Furick said
This book has it's value. If you are a non-technical user who just wants to know what Flex 3.0 is and be able to discuss it in conversation then this probably is the best book out there. It presents the topics in plain English, is easy to understand, and quick to read.
However, if you actually want to know how to Program in ActionScript and develop applications in Flex Builder then this is a waste of time. I'm a very experience programmer and I have a good understanding of OOP and Javascript and this book still was not enough information to create anything more than SIMPLE applications.
The examples could be helpful as reference but are difficult to find and review making them useless as reference. I will add this to the bottom of my closet and forget about it for years to come.
If you want to actually know how to use Flex Builder 3 and be able to write the king of Rich Internet Applications that you are undoubtedly dreaming of - I highly recommend this book. It's more Expensive but absolutely worth it.
Adobe Flex 3: Training from the Source
Ekaterina Akimov said
This book has set a new speed record in moving from my mail box to my recycling box. I honestly cannot give it even one star (but Amazon reviews does not allow zero stars).
As I was making my way through the book I felt like the authors really had something to say but the style they chose gave me headache! =(
Sincerely frustrated!!
S. L. Clemens said
It would be an understatement to say that I was disappointed with this book. The whole style of this manual is like something that you would get handed at a seminar. This book supposedly shows how to build to Flex applications. However the details are poorly laid out. My advise therefore is save your money. There are much better guides on the web such as http://www.adobe.com/devnet/flex/videotraining/
Yoshi Kobayashi said
Flex covers a very broad set of functionality which can lead to a lot of confusion. Unfortunately, this book adds to that confusion.
Regrettably, while the authors of this book come across as very knowledgeable and experienced there message is garbled and convoluted by the format. I think books on software are better suited to color (like IDE's) and not trying to covering everything in a set number of pages (seems like all dummies books are 340 pages).
All that aside, if you are really interested in learning Flex, here is my suggestion of what to read and the order to read it in:
Basics in an intuitive form:
- Learning Flex 3: Getting up to Speed with Rich Internet Applications, by Alaric Cole
- On-line Video Training >[...]
Intermediate:
- Adobe Flex 3: Training from the Source by Jeff Tapper
Great Reference (when you need boost)
- Programming Flex 3: The Comprehensive Guide to Creating Rich Internet Applications with Adobe Flex by Chafic Kazoun
- Flex 3 Cookbook: Code-Recipes, Tips, and Tricks by Joshua Noble
Niche Uses:
AdvancED Flex Application Development by R Blank
Good luck!
(my apologies if some how I am posting a duplicate review - I could have sworn I already wrote a review for this book)
P. Rossum said
After reading all the other reviews where people love this I guess I'm just the odd man out. But personally I was quite disappointed in the book. It does do a good job of explaining the topics but I found the lack of practical code segments to be frustrating.
Maybe it's just my style but I prefer books that introduce topics and then take the reader through the creation of code that shows how the topic relates in a programmatic example.
If you want a book that discusses things like the objects and controls of Flex then maybe this is the book for you but if you're looking for a book that takes you through Flex programming then I'd suggest you do like me and look elsewhere.
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