Using FlashDevelop
From TechWiki
FlashDevelop is an open source IDE for Flash/Flex development based on the .Net platform.
It works best with Flex version 4.x and features some automatic set ups. However, since the current sComponents are written in Flex 3.5x, you may experience some configuration challenges.
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General Resources
- http://livedocs.adobe.com/flex/3/html/
- MX Controls References: http://help.adobe.com/en_US/FlashPlatform/reference/actionscript/3/mx/controls/package-detail.html
- FlashDevelop home: http://www.flashdevelop.org/wikidocs/index.php
- FlashDevelop community forum: http://www.flashdevelop.org/community/index.php
- General Flash training (based on Flash Builder, not FlashDevelop, but still useful): http://www.adobe.com/devnet/flex/videotraining.html
Installing and Configuring FlashDevelop
- The simplest method for installing FlashDevelop is to follow its Wiki installation guide. Some of the useful tips to follow are:
- Choose the 'Install Flex SDK' option, which downloads and install the latest Flex SDK; the process is quite clean
Flex 3.5
As noted, because the sComponents are in Flex 3.5 you will need to install that SDK as well and instruct FlashDevelop where to find it.
- See FlashDevelop configuration
- Then, get the Flex 3.5 SDK: http://opensource.adobe.com/wiki/display/flexsdk/Download+Flex+3
- You should download and install 3.5. One option is replace the existing (4.x) Flex SDK; that is not recommended. Rather, find the Tools subdirectory under FlashDevelop and set up a parallel directory to:
SourceDirectory\FlashDevelop\Tools\flexsdk
such as
SourceDirectory\FlashDevelop\Tools\flexsdk35
this will provide maximum flexibility going forward.
TortoiseSVN
It is also useful to install TortoiseSVN as a local version control manager. This enables easier checkout from the sComponents code repository.
For installation and use instructions, see http://tortoisesvn.net/downloads.html.
Setting Up a Project
To set up your own project, you will need to download the sComponent source, set up a local instance, and configure FlashDevelop.
Download Source
- After installation, download the Semantic Component source code by right-clicking on your desired local directory (assuming you have installed TortoiseSVN), choosing SVN Checkout, and then entering this URL of the repository here: http://semanticcomponents.googlecode.com/svn/trunk/
Configure Local Instance
Once installed and with project code now available, you need to configure FlashDevelop. First, with regard to the Flex 3.5 version:
1. Open the project properties 2. Go to Compiler Options tab, 3. Fill the "Custom SDK Location" entry with the alternative SDK location (e.g., the flexsdk35 example above.
You then will need to instruct the system where to find the various sComponent project parts:
Project properties > Output: Set target to FP 10
and then
Project properties > Compiler Options > Intrinsic Libraries: Change Flex3 by Flex4 and it should be ok.
Build Project
Last, you then need to systematically work through and make sure all other components are being found and built.
You do so by choosing this option:
Project --> Build ...
You will get errors and warnings, should (they will!) occur.
Unfortunately, these latter steps can take quite some time. Refer as needed to the FlashDevelop community forum or Web search for problems as you may encounter them.
Once Local Project is Re-built
Once you have successfully re-built the project locally, you and then ready to make changes and customize your version of the sComponent. You should refer to:
- The general sComponent documentation
- The specific information on Styling Semantic Components.
