Why do the demos need a server?

Why do the demos need a server

yFiles FLEX is an ActionScript library for displaying and editing diagrams. yFiles FLEX itself doesn't provide any graph analysis or layout (automatic arrangement of the graph elements) functionality. To use such a functionality you need either a yFiles for Java or yFiles .NET server component or the yFiles FLEX Client Layout Extension. As some of the demos make use of automated layouts they require a server.

The demos bundled with the yFiles FLEX Client as well as with the yFiles FLEX Java and .NET bundles are written to communicate with a server. They don't support/depend on the Client Layout Extension. Thus, developers who are interested in client side layouts should first start with the demos provided with the Client Layout Extension.

Do all demos need a server?

Basically, the yFiles FLEX demos can be divided into three categories:

1. Server independent demos

Demos which are written to demonstrate visual or editing features usually don't require a server at all. These demos are:

• BridgeDemo
• CalloutDemo
• CustomSnappingDemo (1.5)
• DelegatingStyleDemo
• DragNDropDemo (1.5, earlier versions provide only limited functionality without a server)
• GridDemo
• LookupDecoratorDemo
• OrthogonalEdgesDemo (1.5)
• PortCandidateProviderDemo
• RenderOrderDemo (1.7)
• SnapLineDemo (1.5)
• Standalone demo
• TableEditorDemo (1.7)
• TableNodeStyleDemo (1.7)
• YFilesAIRDemo

2. Demos which provide limited functionality without a server

Some demos mainly show visual or editing features but also provide server depending functionality. These demos can be run without a server, though, but in this case automatic layouts or example graphs are not available. At startup you will be prompted that the demo requires a server. In this dialog simply click "Ignore". If there are subsequent server errors you can ignore them, too. These demos are:

• DragNDropDemo (1.4: automatic layouts are not available, since 1.5 this demo doesn't depend on a server)
• GraphCanvas demo: automatic layouts and example graphs are not available
• GroupingDemo: automatic layouts and example graphs are not available

3. Demos which will not work without a server

Some of the demos demonstrate aspects of client server communication. These demos won't run without a yFiles server component. Most of the features they demonstrate are only important for developers who are interested in client-server communication:

• AuxComponentDemo
• CustomStyleDemo
• DOMTreeDemo
• DrillDownDemo
• FoldingDemo
• GraphWikiDemo
• JavaCompatDemo
• JavaExportDemo

Demos which make use of automatic layouts also require a server. These demos, however, have server independent versions bundled with the yFiles FLEX Client Layout Extension. Developers who are interested in these kind of demos should start with the demos bundled with the Client Layout Extension.

• BusinessProcessDiagramDemo (in Client Layout Extension since 1.2)
• CollapsibleTreeDemo
• EdgeLabelingDemo (1.6)
• IncrementalHierarchicGroupDemo
• IncrementalHierarchicLayoutDemo (1.6)
• LayerConstraintsDemo (1.6)
• LayoutModuleDemo (in Client Layout Extension since 1.2)
• MixedLayoutDemo (1.6)
• MultiPageLayoutDemo (1.7)
• OrgChart demo
• PortCandidateDemo (1.6)
• PreferredPlacementDemo (1.8)
• MixedLayoutDemo (1.6)
• SequenceConstraintsDemo (1.6)
• SwimlaneDemo (in Client Layout Extension since 1.2)
• TableLayoutDemo (1.7)
• TemplateStyleDemo (in Client Layout Extension since 1.2)

What do I have to do?

That depends on your intentions:

• If you are interested in yFiles FLEX as a visualizer and/or editor and do not need automatic layouts or graph analysis: simply ignore the server only demos (category 3).
• If you want to use layout algorithms but no not want to set up a server: evaluate the yFiles FLEX Client Layout Extension. To explore the layout features try the demos of the Layout Extension. To explore visual/editing aspects look at the server independent demos (categories 1 and 2).
• If you want to use layout algorithms on a server: the easiest way is to evaluate one of the yFiles FLEX Java or .NET server bundles.

Your opinion matters

Improving our documentation is as important to us as improving the features of our libraries. Thus, we are interested in your feedback. Please let us know about open questions or important information which was hard to find or missing.