How is mx:DataService in LCDS different from Flash Builder 4 DCD data features?

Question

LCDS Data Management via <mx:DataService> (only available with fds.swc from LCDS) can do pagination and data sync, but FlashBuilder 4 + Flex4 can do them as well! See the following Flex4 + FlashBuilder 4 tutorials:

• Manage the access of data through paging
• Using Data Management to Synchronize Data Updates

How do these 2 data management features differ in LCDS vs FB4+Flex4 specifically? Are there anything LCDS Data Management can do that Flex4+FB4 Data Management can't?

Are these features in FB4 client-side data management?

• Conflict resolution? LCDS has some conflict resolution support, does FB4 data management handles that?
• Real time Grid updates? Is the grid automatically updated on all clients, when BlazeDS is used as the data provider / endpoint?

Thanks!

Answer 1

Supported in LCDS but not with the client-side data management in Flex 4 / FB4:

• Notifications to other clients when changes are made on the server (optionally real-time in LCDS)
• Conflict resolution
• Lazy loading of associations
• Model-driven development

Answer 2

I blogged about this exact topic : http://quetwo.com/2010/02/18/flash-builder-client-side-data-management-vs-lcds/

To quickly answer your question :

LCDS can provide Conflict Resolution. Client-Side cannot. LCDS can provide real-time grid updates, Client-side cannot.