Python vs MXML -- Which language to use for what?

[TimHayes]

I now have a working knowledge of HTML and XML for customizing a Flex App with the widgets provided on this site and a little bit more. I would like start developing customized widgets, for example a Valve Isolation Widget that would allow my users to click on a section of pipe, and the nearest isolation valves to isolate that pipe segment would automatically be selected and highlighted on the map. This is just one example.

My questions:

1) Should I go with learning Python or purchase Adobe Flash Builder and learn MXML?

2) When would a person need to use Python vs MXML?

[RobertScheitlin__GISP · Accepted solution]

Timothy,

   Specifically what you are talking about is basically network analyst functionality and thus would be best handled by a geoprocessing tool deployed to ArcGIS Server and probably done using python.

Now if you are going to start building any of your own widgets then yes you need to purchase Adobe Flash Builder (easiest MXML and action script IDE).

Just in general as a GIS person, yes, you are going to want to learn some python and the python dev environment (GUI) IDLE is part of the ArcGIS suite of products.

Python and MXML are completely different animals. You use MXML and Action Script when building Widgets and custom Flex API apps. You use python for automation and scripting in ArcMap, model builder, and many other gis aspects that go beyond what I am willing to cover here.

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