Adobe Flex Builder 3.0 offers a relatively inexpensive means of jumping into RIA with only a modest learning curve.

The highlights, according to tester James R. Borck, include "better visual layout tools and more control over CSS, new wizards for WSDL introspection and back-end data connectivity, and plug-ins that augment workflow between developers and design teams running Adobe Creative Suite 3 applications."

Borck's wish list consists of a service monitor framework for both Flex and AIR applications, and time-based effects and other component behaviors accessible via the Design view.

And while "some of the implementation here feels clumsy -- especially compared to the tight integration Microsoft has achieved between Silverlight and the Expression and Visual Studio development environments," Borck explains that for developers looking to improve the user experience of customer-facing applications or for a more flexible way to create dashboards, "I highly recommend you give Adobe Flex Builder 3.0 a try."

Read the full review.

Posted by Tom Sullivan on April 25, 2008 05:03 AM