So you want to build Adobe AIR applications do you?
Well, there are two ways in which you can build a AIR application depending upon your technical skills or project requirements. HTML, CSS and Javascript or Flash,Flex and ActionScript. So it makes sense to start using the technology that you are most comfortable with. We will cover both paths here on freshAIRapps so you won’t feel left out and moving forward you will probably be combining the best of both world to build that killer app.
Adobe AIR is completely free and you don’t need to purchase any software from Adobe inorder to start building. However having some software like the latest Dreamweaver, Flash or Flex will give you an easier and more direct way to interacting with the AIR SDK. There are integration kits available for Dreamweaver and Flash CS3 while Flex 3 comes pre bundled with the ability to package and preview AIR apps.
The AIR SDK
The bare essential if you want to build your AIR app outside of any Adobe products. The SDK contains command-line launchers, frameworks and XML maifest files for AIR applications. So for all those Notepad junkies out there get going with the SDK from Adobe:
http://www.adobe.com/products/air/tools/sdk/
The Dreamweaver CS3 extension
Enables full IDE support for building and deploying AIR apps from within Dreamweaver CS3. We will be using this method primarily throught the HTML AIR tutorials on freshAIRapps. Get the AIR extension for Dreamweaver from Adobe:
http://www.adobe.com/products/air/tools/ajax/
The Flash CS3 extension
Enables full IDE support for building and deploying AIR apps from within the Flash CS3 Professional IDE. We will be using this method primarily throught the HTML AIR tutorials on freshAIRapps. Get the AIR extension for Flash from Adobe:
http://www.adobe.com/support/flash/downloads.html
So get downloading and installing and be sure to check out the next tutorial in the series.
