Farewell Flex Builder, Hello Flash Builder
The next version of Flex Builder (V4, code named Gumbo) has been renamed Flash Builder.
Makes sense. Flex is only the framework, Flash is the platform we are building for, whether we are using Flash or Flex. I was starting to feel a little odd referring to myself as one of Brighton’s Flash Developers when I hardly ever open Flash. Technically, seeing how 90% of my work over the last two years has been built using Flex Builder, I am probably better described as a Flex Developer these days. At least I don’t need to worry about such rubbish now.
Flash Builder (aka Flex 4) is expected to have a Beta release in June, with final release expected in the last quarter of 2009.
If you have any questions on the rebrand, there is an FAQ here.
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May 16th, 2009 at 9:35 pm
I don’t agree…especially in the corporate environment, Flash has a ’skip intro’ legacy that is hard to overcome.
Flex has been pitched and accepted as much more ‘grown up’. While I understand Adobe wanting to put everything under the same umbrella, and I further understand that it is way to late to stop this ship…it has done sailed…this will not help…bad move.
May 16th, 2009 at 11:53 pm
I agree with Mark. See my comment here once it is approved: http://theflashblog.com/?p=993
It’s marketing BS that is going to cause confusion and is going to cause me to lose work over it. I for one was REALLY happy not to have the work “Flash” attached to my work. Sorry, but it’s true. People avoid it, and Flex was a “protective blanket” that allowed us to get it into companies that would normally not accept Flash inhouse.
May 17th, 2009 at 4:59 am
The Flex Builder you used, gone it is. Consumed by Flash Builder.
Yoda
May 17th, 2009 at 7:27 am
I don’t get why this bothers the devs so much. It’s not like the word Flex has been removed from the vocabulary, Flex is still what the clients will be requesting – all that has changed is the name of the tool we use to deliver it.
May 18th, 2009 at 11:25 am
@Mark, I don’t buy that argument at all. If anyone asks what you’re building you say, “A Flex app”. If anyone asks what your going to use to create the app you say, “Flex”. “Flash Builder” need never come up, ever.
I think this helps ease the confusion for new people coming into the Flash Platform world. “Flash Builder” is something that only devs/designers need to know about.
May 18th, 2009 at 5:51 pm
@Mark, check out Lee’s FAQ. I think this will end up being better for Flex developers. All we’re changing is the tool. The framework stays Flex, and we’re leaving the branding the same. If you’re a Flex developer, then you are still a Flex developer even if you’re using Flash Builder.
=Ryan
ryan@adobe.com
May 21st, 2009 at 11:59 am
I’m still relatively new to flex… but I kinda thought Flash CS -> flash , Flex Builder -> Flex / Air. Ok so both use actionscript and produce swfs but you can’t build a Flex/Air app in flash CS (can you?) I thought it was a useful distiction but now it’ll blur the lines again…