ArcGIS API for flex Overview

[Environment] ArcGIS Server 9.3, ArcGIS API for flex 1.0 Beta

 

ArcGIS API for Flex is an extension development component of ArcGIS Server. It enables you to develop rich Internet applications (RIA and rich Internet applications) based on the GIS service built by ArcGIS Server ). It integrates various resources provided by ArcGIS (such as map and GP models) with components provided by Flex (such as grid and chart, build a web application with excellent performance and good interaction experience.

When you learn how to use ArcGIS API for flex to develop Web applications, you do not even need to install ArcGIS Server, because ESRI has prepared many online sample resources, arcGIS API for FLEX can access them through URL.

 

What can I do through ArcGIS API for Flex?

ArcGIS API for flex allows you to use map and task of ArcGIS Server in Web applications, such:

• Represents an interactive map
• Execute a GIS model on the server and present the results on the client.
• Present your own data on ArcGIS online base map
• Search for elements and attributes in your GIS data and present the results
• Address location and Display Results
• Create mashups (a combination of multiple information sources)

What does ArcGIS API for flex include?

• Dynamic or cache Map Service released by maps-ArcGIS Server
• Graphics-enhance your web application through drawing and pop-up windows
• Tasks-Some Common Tasks

1. Querying
2. Locating addresses
3. Finding attributes
4. Identifying Features
5. Geoprocessing

• Using the flex Component Interface-ArcGIS API for flex built through Adobe Flex framework, you can use various flex Components

 

ArcGIS API for flex Relationship Diagram

 

Required by developers

Using ArcGIS API for flex requires developers to have a certain understanding of flex and ArcGIS Server.

For more information about Adobe Flex and Adobe Flex builder, see the Flex Developer Center on the Adobe website.

 

Getting started

For more information about how to use ArcGIS API for flex to develop applications, see my introduction: ArcGIS API for flex configuration and use. ESRI also provides a video titled creating an application using the ArcGIS API for flex, demonstrating how to start using the API and develop it.