Is it possible to pass a structure to ColdFusion using Flash AS3 / Remoting
May 20, 2008
UPDATE: This problem has been solved. The solution is after the post.
I’ve posted on a few forums now with no results so I’m resorting to my own blog. What I’m trying to do is pass a structure to a ColdFusion component from Flash. I’ve tried using Array, Object, and Dictionary types but it keeps failing with this error:
“Unknown object type tag (17)”
The error seems to be returned before the method is even reached suggesting that the cfc is rejecting the Remoting request altogether. I know the code is sound because I can change the structure to a string and get results back. I’ve also tried the Flash.Params method.
I’ve done a fair amount of research already, including studying Adobe livedocs which insists that it’s possible to do.
Here is my code:
loadData_btn.addEventListener(MouseEvent.MOUSE_DOWN, loadData)
var myService = new NetConnection()
myService.connect("http://localhost/flashservices/gateway/")
function loadData(evt:MouseEvent){
var responder = new Responder(getTest_Result, onFault);
/* I've tried everything here including defining it as an Object and Dictionary. I also tried
defining it using dot notation and sending it as an object like so: {mystring:"hello"} */
var mystruct:Array = new Array();
mystruct["mystring"] = "hello";
myService.call("com.mycomponent.test", responder, mystruct);
}
function getTest_Result(result){
trace("success: "+ result);
}
function onFault( f){
trace("There was a problem: " + f.description);
}…and here’s my component function (I’ve tried with an argument type of ’struct’ as well as ‘any’):
<cffunction name="test" output="no" access="remote" returntype="string" >
<cfargument name="argstruct" type="any" required="no" />
<cfset mystr =arguments.argstruct["mystring"]>
<cfreturn mystr />
</cffunction>Thanks in advance for any help!
rG
SOLUTION: After many hours of Googling, and much trial and error, I figured out how to make this work…and it’s a one line solution. Simply add myService.objectEncoding=0 before the myService.connect line at the top. It has to do with the way objects are serialized using AMF.
Posted in as3, coldFusion, remoting
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May 20th, 2008 at 12:33 pm
We had the exact same problem, and we didn’t find any solution for it. In the end we just converted the array to a long string…
This tread had also the same problem (http://board.flashkit.com/board/showthread.php?p=3953821#post3953821). I spoke with the autor, but also no solution here.
So if anyone can help, please
May 20th, 2008 at 12:42 pm
Try to use an Object instead of an Array in your AS code:
var mystruct:Object= new Object();
in AS to CF type mapping if I remember well:
Object -> Structure
Array -> Array;
An array indexed with key strings does not have an equivalent in CF, it’s a structure.
May 20th, 2008 at 12:53 pm
…So you need to set it as an object in your AS
May 20th, 2008 at 12:54 pm
var mystruct:Array = new Array();mystruct["mystring"] = “hello”;
That compiles ?
You don’t mean to use (say) Object there ?
var mystruct:Object = new Object();mystruct["mystring"] = “hello”;
If you post a small working example, and your ‘debug’ level ColdFusion server traces to (say) CF-Talk and/or FlexCoders mailing list, you might get some other hints too.
May 20th, 2008 at 1:24 pm
Thanks for the replies. Unfortunately, I tried Object with the same results.
Adobe actually recommends using an Array ( http://livedocs.adobe.com/coldfusion/8/htmldocs/help.html?content=usingSalsaN_4.html ). The Array I use in the example is an associative array. It compiles as written. I tried strict array too and passing it as a named argument object ( {mystring:’hello’} ). All receive the same error.
May 20th, 2008 at 4:08 pm
I have two Flex applications that call multiple CFC functions while passing structures with no problem.
I create an Object to store an Associative Array as so:
var webServiceArguments:Object =
{
wsArgs:
{
classId: CLASS_ID,
isBlue: true
}
};
Then, in the CFC I type the argument as a Structure:
….
This way, I can pass any number of arguments to the CFC, without being forced to send all of them.
May 20th, 2008 at 4:09 pm
May 20th, 2008 at 4:11 pm
Thanks for all the replies. The solution ended up being very simple, though the time put into finding it was maddening. Simply add myService.objectEncoding=0 before the myService.connect line at the top of the AS code. It controls the way objects are serialized using AMF.
rG
May 20th, 2008 at 4:34 pm
I was about to suggest you to put this line.
NetConnection.defaultObjectEncoding = 0;
You won’t need to set this value for any new instantiation of a NetConnection after you have put this in place.
May 20th, 2008 at 5:12 pm
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