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Dave Boland wrote:
> Currently, I use AJAX to provide a near-realtime display of data for a
> device (basically data acquisition and some control).  The box contains
> a 16-bit processor, TCP/IP stack, but no OS (I use timer interrupts the
> same way car companies use them in engine controllers).  The user
> interface is a table of values read/set, some alarms when something is
> out of spec., and a few configuration forms.  No animation at this
> point.  I was asked if Flash player could be used for the GUI since it
> maintains a constant connection and doesn't have to be polled like AJAX.
> 
> After looking at Adobe's web site, it appears that the server (the
> embedded device in this case) needs to have a desktop/server OS.
> However, I saw one article about using Flash with a kit from NetBurner
> and their RTOS.  So I was wondering if this really is possible, how to
> do it, perhaps some example projects, and the Reader's Digest version of
> how Flash works (nothing quickly found on Adobe's web site)?  Now that I
> think about it, perhaps the first quest I should ask is if the effort is
> worthwhile?
> 
> Thanks,
> Dave

I've never used flash to maintain continuous tcp connections before so I
cannot comment on that. I can say, however, that java applets have really
good sockets support, without the hassle of Adobe's proprietary Flash
software.

- --
Brendan Gillatt | GPG Key: 0xBF6A0D94
brendan {a} brendangillatt (dot) co (dot) uk
http://www.brendangillatt.co.uk
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On Jun 8, 10:20=A0am, Dave Boland <dbola...@fastmail.fm> wrote:

> point. =A0I was asked if Flash player could be used for the GUI since it
> maintains a constant connection and doesn't have to be polled like AJAX.

I believe you can open persistent connections in Flash. This is the
same general idea as running the UI for your product as Java - since
the UI runs on the browser, not the embedded device, it doesn't care
whether you have no OS or a full desktop OS on the backend.

Not really true that it "doesn't have to be polled like AJAX" though -
you'll still have to supervise the connection to make sure it's alive.

Currently, I use AJAX to provide a near-realtime display of data for a 
device (basically data acquisition and some control).  The box contains 
a 16-bit processor, TCP/IP stack, but no OS (I use timer interrupts the 
same way car companies use them in engine controllers).  The user 
interface is a table of values read/set, some alarms when something is 
out of spec., and a few configuration forms.  No animation at this 
point.  I was asked if Flash player could be used for the GUI since it 
maintains a constant connection and doesn't have to be polled like AJAX.

After looking at Adobe's web site, it appears that the server (the 
embedded device in this case) needs to have a desktop/server OS. 
However, I saw one article about using Flash with a kit from NetBurner 
and their RTOS.  So I was wondering if this really is possible, how to 
do it, perhaps some example projects, and the Reader's Digest version of 
how Flash works (nothing quickly found on Adobe's web site)?  Now that I 
think about it, perhaps the first quest I should ask is if the effort is 
worthwhile?

Thanks,
Dave