This blog is called MX Traveller, travelling in the MX world. Question is, what exactly does that world look like? I am currently trying to visualize that world, which technologies come into play, and what is the relation between them.
This is how it looks like now ( click image for a total view ):
i put in only the Macromedia related products and technologies, just for a start. I know there are a lot of homegrown tools and commercial alternatives and i am writing them down so in a future version i can put them in. If you know about software or tools that definitely should be on this image, please let me know!
I drew this map using Enterprise Architect, a nice and affordable UML modelling tool. It supports many different models from the UML 1.3 specifications, such as Use Case, Dynamic model and Component and Deployment diagrams. It supports roundtrip engineering ( from diagram to code and backwards ) for languages such as C++, Java and VB.NET. Unfortunately it doesn't support ECMA4 derivates like Jscript.NET so no code-generation for now. If you cannot afford expensive tools like Rational XDE, Visual Studio .NET Enterprise Architect or TogetherJ ( the last one is btw a great UML modelling tool! ), or don't necesarry need all the features, then have a look at Enterprise Architect, which cost between $80 and $180 depending on the edition.
Also i would like to note there is an excellent free UML Class Diagram tool available for Actionscript developers, called GModeler, made by Grant Skinner. The nice thing is that it can do forward code engineering for AS1 too. Also it can import FlashDOC documentation using another tool. To my suprise Macromedia did not implement the FlashDOC code into MX 2004, although they acquired the code from CyberSage. A true ASDoc parser is on my wishlist for MX3, so i keep hoping.
I would change the position of the Breeze Player: I think it needs to be besides the Shockwave player instead if the Flash Player: it's a Flash Player + added functionality.
Also note that the platform is Breeze, you limited it to Breeze Live.
Posted by: Waldo | Thursday, September 18, 2003 at 22:52
I would change the position of Central for similar reasons. It is much more a player than an authoring tool...
Posted by: Peter Hall | Sunday, September 21, 2003 at 22:41
@Waldo: you are right from a technology pov, but from a users perspective, it is definitely another product.
@Peter: Yeah, i was thinking about that, and you are right, however i had a hard time visualizing this.
This diagram definitely is something to look over again when time progresses. Thank you both for the feedback.
Posted by: Owen van Dijk | Monday, September 22, 2003 at 10:14
Small one here - but ".SWF" actually stands for "Small Web File". ;- )
And for you acronym junkies, "SWC" stands for "Small Web Component."
Good times...
Posted by: Mike Downey | Tuesday, September 30, 2003 at 23:20
From "File Format Specification License Agreement" :
1. Definitions
[...]
Flash File Format (SWF) or “SWF” means the file format designated by .SWF
"Small Web Format" nor "Shockwave Flash" are mentioned; maybe we confused by the mime type "application/x-shockwave-flash", too.
:::m.
Posted by: mesaulli0n | Thursday, April 01, 2004 at 16:34