Chapter 8. MX DataGrids, Lists, and Trees
This chapter covers
- Using List-based components from the MX library
- Using List-based components to display flat data
- Using List-based components to display hierarchical data
- Handling user interactions with List-based components
- Retrieving selected items from List-based components
List-based components are a powerful part of your RIA arsenal, and some consider them the workhorse of an application. Lists handle the bulk of the work involved with displaying data and provide many of the conveniences that enhance the usability of Flex applications, such as sortable columns and word wrapping.
Let’s say, for example, that you’re given a project requirement that requires you to have the initial user interface up and running in a short period of time. You can drag and drop a couple of MX List-based components onto the stage from Design view, wire up the bindings from within the IDE (a new feature in Flash Builder 4, described further in chapter 15), and be up and running with a functional prototype for your client in a relatively short amount of time.