Is Adobe Flex going to end up dead - can you recommend a web+mobile app replacement?

Question

I'm seeking advice regarding adobe flex which has been currently incubated by Apache. Is Flex going to end up dead?

In my organization I have been offered two options: either move to HTML5 technology, or choose another platform such as Android or iOS, which my office currently has. I currently work in Flex 4.6 which is thoroughly enjoyable and motivating to use. I do have an interest to learn Adobe Edge and Muse; these technologies enable developers to create both web and mobile apps.

This could be my last day with the Flex team; I may be repositioned to develop on Android or iOS. I want to be using a technology which allows you to build both web and mobile apps. Can anyone suggest a better choice of technology and/or framework?

Answer 1

just need a suggestion regarding adobe flex which has been currently incubating by Apache. Is Flex going to end up??

Is Flex going to die? I doubt it! There is an active community around the Apache Flex Project and there are ongoing endeavors to do things such as decouple Flex from the Flash/AIR runtimes so the framework can easily port to other technologies (such as HTML5 compliant browsers).

Will Flex become less relevant in the future? It might, but it's hard to say.

In my organization, i have been given two kind of options which is either move to HTML5 technology or to some other platform like android or xcode which my office currently has.

In this case, the future of Flex doesn't matter. You have a mandate to move. (Unless you want to make a political play to stay with Flex).

I personally see significant opportunities over the next five years in iOS development, Android Development, and HTML5 development. What are the opportunities in your area? Which of those three options interest you most? Answer that question and your decision will be easy.

I do have an interest to learn Adobe Edge and Muse which is a part of HTML5 technology where people can develop both web and mobile app(just heard).

Keep in mind that Adobe Edge and Muse are just HTML development tools-currently in development--by Adobe. Learning them is not the same as learning HTML; and learning HTML is not the same as learning those tools.

I want to be in a technology where I can build both web and mobile app..

Then you probably want HTML5. Android and iOS development are focused solely on development of Native applications, not browser based applications.

Give me one strong reason that flex will rock again from Apache, so that I can speak with my guys. Your suggestions needed?? Thanks in advance..

There are a lot of smart people involved in the Apache Flex Project--including myself and some people that Adobe put full timer on the project. I have no doubt the Apache Flex contributors can, and will, do great things. But, it remains to be seen if the enterprise market will accept Flex in this new form (or not). Most clients I talk to are sticking with it and will re-evaluate their technology choices as needed.

Answer 2

Is Adobe Flex going to end up dead - Short and concise answer - NO. It would take up a united front in implementing a web standard that does not require any plugin (Flash, SL, Java) for rich content to be implemented, which is very unlikely.

Can you recommend a web+mobile app replacement - Look at the following:

Sencha

KendoUI

jQueryUI

Sencha is also hosting a webinar which focuses on moving from Flex to HTML5 and Sencha http://www.sencha.com/company/events/webinar-moving-from-flex-to-html5-and-sencha/

Answer 3

Flex will never be totally dead since HTM-Hell 5 will NEVER be able to access the user's desktop in a stand-alone application like AIR. So there - I'm in the same boat - one other thing (pardon my yelling) MARK-UP LANGUAGES (XML INCLUDED) HAVE NO PLACE IN SOFTWARE DESIGN AND WERE INVENTED (SGML) FOR LINOTYPE OPERATORS SO THEY WOULDN'T HAVE TO BECOME PROGRAMMERS.

Unfortunately now programmers have had to regress to working like Linotype operators, hehe.

My 2c

Answer 4

This guy(Harbs) has given a quick and good recap of flex and its future. http://printui.com/blog/2013/01/flex-flash/