Build a Simple Map Client with SOAP in Flash Builder 4, Part I

Adobe Flash Builder (formerly Adobe Flex Builder) introduces a powerful new set of tools for using remote data services. Of particular interest is Flash Builder's support for SOAP (Simple Object Access Protocol) web services, as SOAP is both a mainstay and a frequent source of headaches in the software industry. The new data service tools in Flash Builder natively automate enough of the grunt work that using a SOAP web service is almost trivial.

This two-part series (see Part 2) shows how to use Flash Builder to rapidly build a SOAP-driven map search application called TerraClient. Part 1-this article-shows how to automatically bind to SOAP services, generate a search form, and handle the initial search results. Part 2 will show you how to handle the multiple asynchronous SOAP requests and responses needed to display the map imagery. Figure 1 shows the finished product.