Using XML with Flex - Best Practice Question

Question

Hi
I am using an XML file as a dataProvider for my Flex
application.
My application is quite large and is being fed a lot of data
– therefore the XML file that I am using is also quite large.
I have read some tutorials and looked thorough some online
examples and am just after a little advice. My application is
working, but I am not sure if I have gone about setting and using
my data provider in the best possible (most efficient) way.
I am basically after some advice as to weather I am going
about using (accessing) my XML and populating my Flex application
is the best / most efficient way???
My application consists of the main application (MXML) file
and also additional AS files / components.
I am setting up my connection to my XML file within my main
application file using HTTPService :
<mx:HTTPService
id="myResults"
url="
http://localhost/myFlexDataProvider.xml"
resultFormat="e4x"
result="myResultHandler(event)" />
and handling my results with the following function:
public function myResultHandler(event:ResultEvent):void
myDataFeed = event.result as XML;
within my application I am setting my variable values by
firstly delacring them:
public var fName:String;
public var lName:String;
public var postCode:string;
public var telNum:int;
And then, giving them a value by “drilling” into
the XML, E;g:
fName = myDataFeed.employeeDetails.contactDetails.firstName;
lName = myDataFeed.employeeDetails.contactDetails.lastName;
postCode =
myDataFeed.employeeDetails.contactDetails.address.postcode;
telNum = myDataFeed.employeeDetails.contactDetails.postcode;
etc…
Therefore, for any of my external (components in a different
AS file) components, I am therefore referencing there values using
Application:
import mx.core.Application;
And setting the values / variables within the AS components
as follows:
public var fName:String;
public var lName:String;
fName =
Application.application.myDataFeed.employeeDetails.contactDetails.firstName;
lName =
Application.application.myDataFeed.employeeDetails.contactDetails.lastName;
As mentioned this method seems to work, however, is it the
best way to do it??? :
- Connect to my XML file
- Set up my application variables
- Give my variables values from the XML file ……
Bearing in mind that in this particular application there are
many variable that need to be set and there for a lot of lines of
code just setting up and assigning variables values from my XML
file.
Could someone Please advise me on this one????
Thanks a lot,
Jon.

Answer 1

I don't see any problem with that.
Your alternatives are to skip the instance variables and
query the XML directly. If you use the values in a lot of places,
then the Variables will be easier to use and maintain.
Also, instead of instance variables, you colld put the values
in an "associative array" (object/hashtable), or in a dictionary.
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