Chapter 9. Using the Spark List controls
This chapter covers
- How to use Flex 4 List-based components included in the Spark library
- The Spark List-based component class hierarchy
- Spark List customization
- Spark List component architecture
- Interactivity with Spark List-based components
In chapter 8, you learned that List-based components are often the engines that drive your Flex applications. You also learned how to quickly and efficiently utilize and customize the prebuilt List-based components that come with the Flex MX library. In this chapter, you’ll learn about the List-based features and functionality that ship with the Spark library, which is new to Flex 4. You’ll start by learning about the Spark List-based component architecture, and then you’ll learn how to leverage the new List-based Spark functionality in your Flex 4 applications.
The Spark library that ships with the Flex 4 SDK caters to requirements that are more demanding in terms of design and functionality because it provides more opportunity for scalability. For example, let’s say you’re the senior user experience designer on your Flex team for a high-profile game-changing RIA application. The UI designs came from the number-one design firm in the world, and they require a level of customization that’s among the most complex that you’ve ever seen. This is the kind of situation where the Spark library comes in handy.