Integrating Flex API Developer Samples with FlexViewer

JustinRiggs

So I just got done with the "Building Web Applications Using the ArcGIS API for Flex" course, and am really excited about the possibilities, but I'm immediately bumping up against a major problem, and am looking for everyone's opinion...

After taking the course I am feeling like I only have two options:

1) Start from scratch, in which case I can use all the code from the resource center's samples

or

2) Use the FlexViewer, but not be able to use any of the code off the resource center samples

The reason I say this is that, for whatever reason, the Flex API team didn't build their application they way they built their samples or the way they teach their clients to build theirs. For example, in the samples and the course, you learn to add your maps in an mxml file; in the Viewer, you add them in the config.xml file.

I guess my question is this: how do I take that next step and learn how to take code from the samples and integrate them into the Viewer's source code?

BjornSvensson

... for whatever reason, the Flex API team didn't build their application they way they built their samples or the way they teach their clients to build theirs. For example, in the samples and the course, you learn to add your maps in an mxml file; in the Viewer, you add them in the config.xml file.

FYI - the reason that the Flex Viewer is different is because its main purpose is to support non-Flex developer to easily configure web mapping applications.  Since they don't compile the Flex Viewer, there needed to be a different way of reading their settings (than from mxml), thus the configuration files for the Flex Viewer.

how do I take that next step and learn how to take code from the samples and integrate them into the Viewer's source code?

It depends on what you are trying to do. Most people create widgets to add new functionality.  You might already have seen the "Your Own Widget" documentation at http://help.arcgis.com/en/webapps/flexviewer/help/index.html#developers/hellowidget.htm. Note the "requirements/skills" at the top of the page.  If you feel like you need more Flex training, I recommend the "Flex in a Week" video training from Adobe:
http://www.adobe.com/devnet/flex/videotraining.html

I would also recommend the Creating a Custom Widget video 🙂