Facebook Gains Flash Apps with Adobe Deal

Adobe and Facebook on Tuesday jointly announced a code library that supports Flash Web applications in the Facebook platform.

The open-source ActionScript 3 Client Library for Facebook Platform includes sixty application programming interfaces (API) calls that support all Facebook functionality, including Facebook Connect. ActionScript 3 is the object-oriented programming language for Adobe Flash."Combining social functionality with the Adobe Flash Platform gives the millions of Flash developers the tools to create Web experiences that are truly differentiated," said Bryant Macy, director of product marketing for the Platform Business Unit at Adobe. "Flash developers are already creating great applications for Facebook, and the new ActionScript 3 Client Library for Facebook Platform will accelerate the pace of social innovation on the Web."

Developers can use Adobe's Flex application framework and the Flash developer environment to build rich internet applications (RIAs) within Facebook. ActionScript 3 joins JavaScript and PHP as languages supported by the Facebook Platform. Example Facebook apps using the technology include iLike—a social music app; Graffiti, which lets you draw pictures in your profile; and Playfish games like Who Has The Biggest Brain?, Word Challenge, and Bowling Buddies.

According to Adobe, the ActionScript 3 Client Library for Facebook Platform is available immediately as a free download along with developer documentation and tutorials at www.adobe.com/devnet/facebook.