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PyAMF in 10 Minutes or Less

This document introduces PyAMF, a Python library that allows Python applications to communicate with Flex applications via Action Message Format (AMF). AMF is a binary format for exchanging data that is smaller and faster than XML. PyAMF provides AMF encoding/decoding and enables communication between Python and Flex via remoting gateways that work with common Python web frameworks like Django and Twisted. This allows Python developers to build rich interactive web applications using Flex as the front-end interface.

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John David Larkin Nolen
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81 views

PyAMF in 10 Minutes or Less

This document introduces PyAMF, a Python library that allows Python applications to communicate with Flex applications via Action Message Format (AMF). AMF is a binary format for exchanging data that is smaller and faster than XML. PyAMF provides AMF encoding/decoding and enables communication between Python and Flex via remoting gateways that work with common Python web frameworks like Django and Twisted. This allows Python developers to build rich interactive web applications using Flex as the front-end interface.

Uploaded by

John David Larkin Nolen
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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PyAMF in 10 minutes (or less)

JD Nolen

Talk Disclaimer
This speaker is not a computer science major does not have a day job that involves writing code last took a programming language class in college (pascal, the advanced class at Tulane in 2001) writes code as a hobby/passion for a would-be web startup

Where does Flex fit in the Python world?


Python is a great/cool/etc. language that can do many things For anything with a rich/web interface, you need a graphical or browser interface Via current python-based web applications (Django, Zope, Plone) you can generate dynamic pages via python scripts But in the end, what goes to the browser must be HTML, Javascript, or Flash (usually)

Where does Flex fit in the Python world?


Flex is a GUI-based extension of the Flash runtime Think buttons, sliders, etc. that run as a SWF in the browser with ActionScript logic Flex provides a stateful interface with the user without page reloads With the Flash player in 95% of browsers, Flex runs almost everywhere (plus the Flash player can autoupdate itself)

Where does Flex fit in the Python world?


Flex also gives the option of generating a RIA (rich internet application) via AIR Can live on the user's desktop Does not need the browser A browser-based Flex application can be easily converted to a RIA

How to write Flex?


Get the SDK first Code editor Any text editor (vi, emacs, etc.) since it is an XML file Adobe Flex Builder Eclipse-based or plugin (Linux version in alpha) The best (because of the GUI) FlashDevelop (.NET so Windows only) 2nd best (no GUI) Code assist Spket (Eclipse plugin) Also handles JS, Silverlight

Flex/Python Bottom Line


Flex can be a great front-end for a python web application But how can it (Flex) communicate with Python? Out of the box, Flex can HTTPService (yes) WSDL SOAP (yes) XML (yes) RemoteObject (Java, no thanks)

So where is the glue?


PyAMF A Python library for AMF Enables python applications to communicate with Flex via AMF MIT-style license

Think about the data...


For most Flex apps, the data rendered/entered/exchanged is not like typical web pages Small chunks of data asynchronously modified or updated For this type of data need (or load), a more incremental data format would help Something small Something fast

Action Message Format (AMF)


Starting with Flash 6, Adobe added a fast binary messaging format based on SOAP that used RPC Big plus...message size is about 10% of an XML-based message Originally it was used/restricted to Adobe's Live Cycle Data services (Java-based) Open sourced also

AMF Data Formats


Byte (8-bit) Int (16-bit) MediumInt (24-bit number) Long (32-bit number) Double (64-bit number) UTF8 (UTF8 string shorter than 2^16 (65,536) bytes) LongUTF8 (UTF8 string possible longer than 2^16 bytes)

What is in PyAMF?
AMF0 encoder/decoder for legacy Flash Players (version 68) AMF3 encoder/decoder for the new AMF format in Flash Player 9 Support for IExternalizable, ArrayCollection, ObjectProxy, ByteArray, RecordSet, RemoteObject and more Remoting gateways for Twisted, Django, Pylons, TurboGears2, Web2Py and any compatible WSGI framework

What is in PyAMF?
Authentication/setCredentials support Python AMF client with HTTP(S) and authentication support Service Browser (DescribeService header) requests supported Local Shared Object support Adapter Framework to integrate nicely with third-party Python projects

Example Time
http://blog.pyamf. org/archives/authentication#more -7

Why this is cool (at least to me)


This gives a Python developer a great front end (beyond traditional HTML/Javascript) for a Python-based web application It lends/encourages a modular architecture

Links
Flex http://www.adobe.com/products/flex/ PyAMF http://pyamf.org/

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