Free Flex SDK

At the core of Flex 2.0 is the Flex framework, which is included with Flex Builder and will also be distributed in the free Flex Software Development Kit (SDK). Using only the free Flex SDK, you can commercially deploy Flex applications that connect to XML and SOAP web services with no additional costs or server licensing required.

The Flex framework builds on the foundation already provided by Flash Player 9 and ActionScript 3.0 by providing a rich component library that embodies best practices for building successful rich Internet applications. It also extends the programming paradigm by adding an XML-based language called MXML that provides a declarative way to manage the visual elements of your application.

Essentially, the Flex framework provides the skeleton of the application and allows you to:

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Describe an application's user interface from pre-built components by either extending them or creating new ones from scratch.
Enable predefined interactions, such as draggable columns on a data grid, or hook into some well-defined events to define specialized behaviors.
Choreograph complex user interface transitions using a flexible effects infrastructure.
Organize the flow of data through the application's user interface.
Define the look and feel of the application through a powerful skinning and styling infrastructure.

Most developers will use the Flex framework within Flex Builder 2.0. When you install Flex Builder, you get the framework and everything is available and optimized through Flex Builder. Using the free Flex SDK 2.0, it is also possible to install and use the Flex framework with another IDE or editor of your choice. Download the free Flex SDK 2.0.

Read more in the full article, Introducing Flex Framework ›

Getting Started

Follow these steps to get started with Flex:

Read more in the full article, Introducing the Flex Framework.
Familiarize yourself with the rest of the Flex 2.0 product line by reading the following articles:
Download and install Flex Builder 2.0 beta 3. The Flex Builder installer installs Flex Builder, the Flex framework, Flex Charting, and a debug version of Flash Player 9. You can use Flex Builder 2.0 to build applications with ActionScript 3.0.

If you wish to use the Flex framework using the IDE of your choice, you can download Flex SDK 2.0 beta 3.

Note: This is a public beta, not a final release. Neither the quality nor the features are complete yet. We want to show you our direction and get your feedback so that we can incorporate it into future releases.

Click here for known issues ›
Watch the Flex 2.0 video tutorials:
- Flex Data Services Overview
- Flex 2.0 Coding Features
- Flex Builder 2.0 New Features (Part 1)
- Flex Builder 2.0 New Features (Part 2)
- Flex 2.0 Transitions
- Build a Flex App in 15 Minutes
- Create and Compile an App with Flex Builder
- Create a Constraint-Based Layout with Flex Builder
See all Flex videos
Ask questions and share your feedback in the Flex Framework 2.0 (Prerelease) Forum.

Community

Below you'll find references and links to help you participate in the Flash and Flex developer communities.

Online Forums

Ask questions, discuss, and share feedback with other developers in online forums.

Blogs

Keep your eye on developing conversations and news in the blogging community on MXNA.

Flex Smart Category on MXNA ›

Wiki

You can read, evaluate, and contribute to documentation, tips and tricks, code samples, tutorials, and much more in the the Flex Framework wiki.

Learn more Visit the Flex framework (SDK) wiki ›

FlexCoders

Join the ongoing discussion about building apps with Flex.

Join the FlexCoders Discussion Group ›

FAQ

What is the Flex framework?

The Flex framework provides the essential building blocks for creating compelling rich Internet applications on the Macromedia Flash Platform. It includes the MXML and ActionScript 3.0 languages, base classes, and user interface components as well as command-line tools for compiling and debugging applications. The Flex framework is included with Flex Builder 2.0 or is available separately in the free Flex SDK.

What's new in the Flex framework?

The Flex framework delivers significant improvements in the areas of developer productivity, application expressiveness, component extensibility, and application performance. For more details on the new framework features, see Introducing the Flex Framework.

Can I develop Flex framework applications using a third-party editor or IDE?

Yes. Flex applications consist of text-based source files that can be edited by any text editor. Developers that wish to use third-party editors can compile and debug Flex applications using the command-line tools installed with the Flex SDK, Flex Builder 2.0 or Flex Data Services 2.0.

How do I get the Flex framework?

Starting with the Flex 2.0 release, the Flex framework will be included when you purchase Flex Builder 2.0 and as part of Flex Data Services. You will automatically get it when you install either Flex Builder 2.0 or Flex Data Services.

The Flex framework is also available separately in the free Flex SDK. The free Flex SDK includes the Flex component class library, Flex command line compiler and documentation required to develop, compile, and deploy Flex applications that connect to XML and SOAP web services with no additional costs or server licensing required. Using the Flex SDK developers will have the ability to install and use the Flex framework with another IDE or editor of their choice.

Additionally, a free commercial-use version of Flex Data Services will be available enabling you to implement a robust, scalable, rich data architecture within your rich applications. Flex Data Services will also enable the creation of Web 2.0 applications adding data-push, in-context collaboration, and publish/subscribe messaging capabilities. Together, these free offerings bring the industry's most powerful cross-platform RIA technology within reach of very every developer and every project.

Can I deploy production applications using the free Flex SDK?

Yes. The free Flex SDK includes the Flex component class library, Flex command line compiler and documentation required to develop, compile, and deploy Flex applications that connect to XML and SOAP web services with no additional costs or server licensing required.

Get it now by downloading the prerelease version of Flex 2.0.

System Requirements

Flex SDK 2.0

Windows 2000, XP, or Server 2003, Java 1.4 (Sun, IBM, or BEA) or 1.5 (Sun)
Mac OS 10.4, Java 1.5 (as shipped from Apple)
Redhat Enterprise Linux 3 or 4, Suse 10, Java 1.4 (Sun, IBM, or BEA) or 1.5 (Sun) – Compilers only
Solaris 9, 10, Java 1.4 or 1.5 (Sun) – Compilers only
512 MB of ram, 1 GB recommended
200 MB of free disk space

Release Notes

This is a preliminary release that includes:

Flex Builder 2.0—The next-generation IDE for developing Flex applications. Flex Builder 2.0 is built on Eclipse, and represents a major improvement over the previous version.
Flex framework—The next version of the Flex framework and runtime services.
Flex Charting 2.0—Extensible components for advanced data visualization .
Flash Player 9—The next version of the Flash Player, which includes major language improvement with ActionScript 3.0, as well as performance enhancements.
Flex Data Services—Previously Flex Enterprise Services, these services provide reliable, high performance enterprise data connectivity.
ColdFusion/Flex Connectivity—all of the important connectivity elements required to integrate Flex applications with a ColdFusion MX 7 server.

See the the full Release Notes ›

See the Flex 2.0 Beta Installation Instructions ›

See the Flex 2.0 Beta Known Issues ›