This document provides an overview of building applications with Adobe Integrated Runtime (AIR), including getting started, differences between AIR and web apps, features like local databases and file access, best practices, and resources. It discusses using AIR to build applications from Flex, Flash, and Dreamweaver that can distribute across Windows and Mac and have capabilities beyond web apps like offline access and local storage. The document also covers AIR application descriptors, SQLite integration, socket connections, customizing the application chrome, and updating deployed AIR apps.

1. Wes Leonardo
Flash Platform Engineer

2. What will this cover?
• Getting Started with Adobe AIR
• Differences between AIR and Web apps.
• AIR Features with examples
• Some Best Practices
• Demos/Inspiration
• Resources
• Q&A

3. What is AIR?
• Adobe Integrated Runtime
• Build AIR applications from Flex, Flash and Dreamweaver
• AIR applications can be HTML, JavaScript or Flash
• Distribute across different operating systems Win/Mac

4. Developer Role

5. Developer Role

6. Developer Role

7. Developer Role

8. Getting Started
- In Flex Builder, Create a New Flex Project and select Desktop application
- Root tag of the application will be WindowedApplication

9. Application Descriptor File
• Located in the root directory
• Set the Application ID
• Set Desktop & System Tray Icons
• Set Application Version

10. Web vs. Desktop
• Storing Information
– Web: Database on a Server
– Desktop: Local Database SQLite
• Connection
– Web: Web Site Uptime
– Desktop: Mostly Local – Socket Connection

11. SQLite Integration
• Check/Create DB file
• Setup/Open SQL connection
• Create Tables
• Asynchronous/Synchronous
• Insert, Update, Delete SQL statements

12. Socket Connections
• Application is online/offline
• Connections to Sockets are open
• Detect Network Status

13. Custom Chrome
• Branding
• Custom Application Border
• Circle
• Custom Shapes
• Chrome Transparent
• Drop Shadows

14. Local File Access
• Create, Open, Read, and or Write Files
• Create Directories
• Get Contents of a Directory
• Asynchronous/Synchronous

15. Updating Your AIR App
• AIR Update Framework
• Check for updates on your server
• Access to Update Process

16. Best Practices
• Don’t annoy your users
• Never use Always In Front
• Custom chrome - add close, minimize buttons
• Avoid full screen applications
• Give the user options

17. Demos

18. Resources
Blog
http://developer.ribbit.com/blog
AIR 1.5 Documentation
http://help.adobe.com/en_US/AIR/1.5/devappsflex/
AIR Team Blog
http://wwblogs.adobe.com/air/