How to Use This Book

     

This book contains one major section for each of the five Studio MX 2004 programs. In addition, there is a preliminary section (Chapters 1 “3) covering topics and features that apply to multiple programs in the Studio MX 2004 suite. All the later sections in this book assume familiarity with the first three chapters. Therefore, most readers will probably find it useful to look the first section over before proceeding to material specific to a particular program.

In particular, Chapter 3 serves as an introduction to the user interfaces of Dreamweaver, Flash, Fireworks, and FreeHand. This is possible because these programs have so much in common. Whichever program you are interested in, Chapter 3 is your jumping-off place.

Except for this dependency on the first section, each program-specific section can basically stand on its own. You can go right to the first chapter on Flash (Chapter 14) without having read any of the chapters on Dreamweaver (Chapters 4 “13). Similarly, you won't have any problem reading the chapters on Fireworks (Chapters 24 “28) if you haven't read any of the Dreamweaver or Flash material.

There are two other exceptions to this "each-section-is-an-island" principle. First, there are features that specifically target integration between two Studio MX 2004 programs. To grasp these features, you obviously have to have some understanding of both programs.

The second exception has to do with features that relate to database access. An online database application comes in three parts : a database server, application-specific services that run on the server, and clients that access those services. ColdFusion, Dreamweaver, and optionally Flash are natural allies in creating such a three-part online database application: ColdFusion for implementing the database server, Dreamweaver for creating application-specific services built on ColdFusion or other server technologies, and either Dreamweaver or Flash for creating client applications. Chapter 32 ("Understanding and Administering ColdFusion") in the ColdFusion section discusses this cooperative relationship in more detail. In the Dreamweaver section, Chapter 13 ("Developing ColdFusion Applications in Dreamweaver") shows how to create ColdFusion services and browser pages that access those services. Finally, in the Flash section, Chapter 23 ("Using Flash for Dynamic Data") uses one of the ColdFusion services created in Chapter 13 for examples involving Flash database clients. So there is a tight relationship between Chapter 13, Chapter 23, and the ColdFusion chapters. This is natural because an online database application simply cannot be constructed with Dreamweaver alone, Flash alone, or ColdFusion alone.

If your primary goal, for example, is to create a Flash client that accesses ColdFusion services or any online database service, it might makes sense to read the ColdFusion chapters first (even though they're at the end of the book), then Chapter 13 to create the service that the Flash client will access, and finally Chapter 23 to create the Flash client.

For most purposes, however, you can read this book from cover to cover or use it as a random-access reference. The same applies to each individual section: You can read sequentially or look for the particular feature that interests you. Within a section, however, later chapters may assume familiarity with earlier chapters.

First-time users will probably do well to dive into the programs and play a little bit before starting the book. Realistically, you will probably use this book largely as a reference, to help you solve problems as they arise. On the other hand, Dreamweaver MX 2004, Flash MX 2004, and Fireworks MX 2004 have enough new features that even experienced users may benefit from at least skimming these sections from beginning to end, looking for the "New in Studio MX 2004" icon:

graphics/new_icon.jpg

Where there are sample or reference files on the CD to accompany the text, be sure to look at them. In the case of sample files, try playing with them and modifying them. The hands-on experience will prove invaluable, and you may even be able to use a file as a partial basis for your own project.


Also, be sure to check out the many excellent Web resources for Studio MX 2004 developers. If you need a jumping-off place, go to http://www.hurwicz.com and click on Using Studio MX .

This book is divided into six parts:

  1. Getting Started with Macromedia Studio MX 2004

  2. Dreamweaver MX 2004

  3. Flash MX 2004

  4. Fireworks MX 2004

  5. FreeHand MX

  6. ColdFusion MX

Part I (Chapters 1 “3) gives you an overview of the Studio MX 2004 suite. Chapter 3 goes into detail about common interface features.

Part II (Chapters 4 “13) covers Dreamweaver MX 2004. Chapter 13 covers database access. Examples use ColdFusion services.

Part III (Chapters 14 “23) is dedicated to Flash MX 2004. Chapter 23 shows you how to create Flash database clients; it and uses a ColdFusion service for examples.

Part IV (Chapters 24 “28) covers Fireworks MX 2004, and Part V (Chapters 29 “31) covers FreeHand MX.

Finally, Part VI (Chapters 32 and 33) focuses on ColdFusion MX, but includes material that may be helpful in understanding the database- related features of Dreamweaver and Flash.



Using Macromedia Studio MX 2004
Special Edition Using Macromedia Studio MX 2004
ISBN: 0789730421
EAN: 2147483647
Year: N/A
Pages: 339

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