Flex 3 (Actionscript) query for recordset array for data grid

Question

Hey, all. I am building an application in Flex Builder 3. Yes, I know that it has an auto-magic feature to build datasheet, but that will not work. I see many Flex controls, such as combo box, can take an array as a data source.

My question, therefore, is (1) How do I send the request from my action script to my PHP form to request a record set. (2) Presuming that my dataset is in a PHP assoc array, how do I format it to send it back to Action Script. (3) How do I take the data received from the recordset, and put it inot an actionscript array, suitable for use as a data source.

I can connect to my database in PHP, and query it just fine, so I don't need help with that. For consistency, and humor, lets presume that I have the following data in an assoc array that I pulled from a database.

Array ( [0] => Array ( [name] => Kirk [shirt] => Gold [assign] => Bridge )

[1] => Array ( [name] => McCoy [shirt] => Blue [assign] => Sick Bay )

[2] => Array ( [name] => Scotty [shirt] => Red [assign] => Engineering )

[3] => Array ( [name] => Spock [shirt] => Blue [assign] => Bridge )

[4] => Array ( [name] => Uhura [shirt] => Red [assign] => Bridge )

[5] => 1 )

Answer 1

I would look into :

http://www.amfphp.org

or

http://www.themidnightcoders.com/products/weborb-for-php/overview.html

Answer 2

I find it easier to send a request that retrieves the data from the PHP in XML format. Then inside the Flex application, turn it into an ArrayList and use it with your controls.