The Flash Builder Premium Software from Adobe is a cross-platform development tool, compatible with Mac and Windows systems, which supports Flash application development using the Flex framework. You'll be able to use it to develop rich Internet applications (RIAs) using advanced coding, debugging, visual design, and testing tools.
Improve Productivity
Powerful Coding Tools
Develop using a powerful Eclipse based IDE that includes editors for MXML, the ActionScript language, and CSS, as well as syntax coloring, statement completion, code collapse, interactive step-through debugging, and automatic generation of common code
Code Refactoring
Quickly navigate through code or restructure it by renaming all references to a class, method, or variable. Flash Builder 4 adds move refactoring
Native Support for Adobe AIR
Create applications for the Adobe AIR runtime with Flash Builder 4, including all the tools required to build, debug, package, and sign AIR applications. Adobe AIR lets you quickly develop RIAs for the desktop using the same skills and codebase you use to build RIAs for the browser
Powerful Testing Tools
Accelerate application performance using memory and performance profilers that monitor and analyze memory consumption and CPU cycles. Support for automated functional testing tools such as HP QuickTest Professional software is also available
Network Monitor
Generate a detailed audit trail of all data passed between the local Flex application and the back end, assisting with debugging and performance tuning
Debugger Improvements
Set conditional breakpoints, evaluate expressions, and set watchpoints on variables to halt execution on value change. Use the Expressions view to watch variables selected in the Variables view and to add/evaluate watch expressions. Break out of a loop during a debugging session using run to line
Custom Templates
Customize default information contained in new MXML, ActionScript, and CSS files, such as author and date, introductory comments, copyright information, opening and closing tags and attributes, ActionScript declarations, namespace prefixes, and more
ASDoc Support
Display comments in MXML and ActionScript editors using ASDoc
Adobe Flash Professional Workflow
Import and update custom Flex components using the new workflow between Adobe Flash Professional software and Flash Builder 4
Integrate with Existing Infrastructure
Data-Centric Application Development
Introspect Java, PHP, ColdFusion, REST, and SOAP services and display methods and properties in a tree view in the new Data/Service explorer. Bind methods to UI components using a simple drag-and-drop approach. Display services based on different back-end technologies, all represented in a common, consistent model. Also use services to generate forms for master/detail functionality and to create charts
Integration with Creative Suite Design Tools
Import design assets created using Adobe Creative Suite components such as Adobe Flash Professional, Illustrator, Photoshop, or Fireworks, or import a complete application user interface created using the Adobe Flash Catalyst interaction design tool
Advanced Data Services
Use open source BlazeDS to add binary, high-performance, HTTP-based data transport, or add the Adobe LiveCycle Data Services ES2 module to add real-time data push and pub/sub messaging
Command Line Build
Use the new command line build capability to automate your build process
Flex Unit Testing Integration
Automate functional testing using the Flex unit testing framework
Deliver More Expressive Apps
Rich Visual Layout
Visually design and preview user interface layout, appearance, and behavior using a rich library of built-in components. Extend the built-in Flex framework components or create new ones as needed
Interactive Data Visualization
Create data dashboards and interactive data analysis by simply dragging and dropping a chart type and linking it to a data source using the Flex Charting library. Use the powerful Advanced Datagrid to enable users to explore complex data
Skinning and Styling
Customize the appearance of an application using CSS and graphical property editors. Quickly set the most commonly used properties and preview the results in Design View
Integration with Adobe Flash Catalyst
Import Flex Projects (FXPs) created using Adobe Flash Catalyst, saving time and improving the quality of the user experience. FXPs contain functional UI, including MXML, ActionScript, component skins, and graphical assets, enabling developers to focus on core application logic
Flex Theme Browser
Easily browse and import Flex themes and apply them to your project