getting_started_with_adobe_air

Chapter 2. Getting Started with Adobe AIR Development

This chapter discusses how to start developing applications for Adobe AIR using HTML and JavaScript. It covers:

Installing Adobe AIR
Configuring the Adobe AIR SDK and command-line tools
Creating your first AIR application
Testing AIR applications
Signing, packaging, and deploying AIR applications

Once you have completed this chapter, your environment for developing AIR applications should be configured correctly, and you should have a solid understanding of how to begin to build, test, and deploy Adobe AIR applications.

2.1. What Do You Need to Develop Adobe AIR Applications?

You need a number of items to begin developing AIR applications.

2.1.1. Adobe AIR Runtime

The Adobe AIR runtime is required to test application icons and deploy AIR applications. You can download the runtime for free from http://www.adobe.com/go/getair.

2.1.2. Adobe AIR SDK

The Adobe AIR SDK contains command-line tools, sample files, and other resources to make it easier to develop AIR applications. In particular, we will be using the command-line tools included in the SDK (ADL and ADT), which will allow us to test, sign, and package our AIR applications from virtually any development environment.

You can download the AIR SDK for free from http://www.adobe.com/go/getairsdk.

2.1.3. HTML/JavaScript IDE or Editor

Building AIR applications with HTML and JavaScript requires that you have a way to create the HTML and JavaScript files. You can use any tool that supports creating and editing text files (such as VIM or Notepad), although it's recommended that you use a tool that has richer support for working with HTML and JavaScript files, such as Adobe Dreamweaver, Panic's Coda, or Aptana Studio.

NOTE

You can find more information on Adobe Dreamweaver at http://www.adobe.com/go/dreamweaver, Panic's Coda at http://www.panic.com/coda/, and Aptana Studio at http://www.aptana.com.

2.1.4. Supported Operating System

Although it is possible to develop and package AIR applications on virtually any operating system (including Linux), you can test and deploy AIR applications only on operating systems supported by Adobe AIR.

The supported operating systems are:

Microsoft Windows 2000 SP4
Microsoft Windows XP SP2
Windows Vista Home Premium, Business, Ultimate, or Enterprise
Mac OS 10.4.910 and later (Intel and PowerPC)

NOTE

H.264 video playback on a Mac requires an Intel processor.

Adobe is also currently working on adding support for Linux.