Flex provides a modern, standards-based language and programming model that supports common design patterns. MXML, a declarative XML-based language, is used to describe UI layout and behaviors, and the object-oriented ActionScript® 3.0 programming language is used to create client logic. Flex also includes a rich component library with more than 100 proven, extensible UI components for creating rich Internet applications (RIAs), as well as an interactive Flex application debugger.
RIAs created with Flex can run in the browser using Adobe Flash Player software or outside the browser on Adobe AIR®, the cross-operating system runtime, enabling them to run consistently across all major browsers and on the desktop. Installed on more than 98% of Internet connected computers, Flash Player is an enterprise-class client runtime with advanced vector graphics capable of handling the most demanding, data-intensive applications while performing at desktop application speeds. By leveraging AIR, Flex applications can have access to local data and system resources. Both runtimes are available as free downloads on Adobe.com.
You can accelerate Flex application development with Adobe Flash Builder 4 software, a highly productive, Eclipse™ based development environment, and Adobe LiveCycle® Data Services software, a set of advanced data services that can be used in Flex development. Both of these products are available for purchase.