Adobe Integrated Runtime (AIR) for JavaScript Developers Pocket Guide
By Mike Chambers, Daniel Dura, Kevin Hoyt
Publisher: O'Reilly Media / Adobe Dev Library
Released: July 2007
Pages: 176
Written by members of the Adobe Integrated Runtime (AIR) product team, this is the official guide to the beta release of Adobe's new cross-platform desktop runtime, previously known by its code name Apollo.
This book explains how you can use AIR to build and deploy HTML and JavaScript-based web applications to the desktop, using all of the tools and technologies with which you are already familiar. Everything you need to know about this platform is right here, so you can start building applications with AIR right away.
Topics include:
What AIR is, and the problems this runtime aims to solve
How to set up your development environment
How to create your first app using HTML and JavaScript
The HTML and JavaScript environments within AIR
How to do common tasks, presented in the easy-to-use O'Reilly Cookbook format
Also included is a guide to AIR packages, classes and command line tools. Once you understand the basics of building an HTML- and JavaScript-based AIR applications, this pocket guide makes an ideal reference for tackling specific problems. Welcome to the revolution!
Adobe Developer Library is a co-publishing partnership between O'Reilly Media and Adobe Systems, Inc. and is designed to produce the number one information resources for developers who use Adobe technologies. Created in 2006, the Adobe Developer Library is the official source for comprehensive learning solutions to help developers create expressive and interactive web applications that can reach virtually anyone on any platform. With top-notch books and innovative online resources covering the latest in rich Internet application development, the Adobe Developer Library offers expert training and in-depth resources, straight from the source.
Chapter 1 Introduction to the Adobe Integrated Runtime (AIR)
A Short History of Web Applications
Problems with Delivering Applications via the Browser
Introducing the Adobe Integrated Runtime
Primary AIR Technologies
Chapter 2 Getting Started with AIR Development
What Do You Need to Develop AIR Applications?
Uninstalling Pre-Beta Versions of Adobe AIR
Installing Adobe AIR
Uninstalling Adobe AIR Beta
Setting Up the AIR SDK and Command-Line Tools
Creating a Simple AIR Application with HTML and JavaScript
Testing the Application
Packaging and Deploying the AIR Application
Chapter 3 Working with JavaScript and HTML Within AIR
WebKit Within the Adobe Integrated Runtime
JavaScript Within AIR
AIR Implementation of Functionality
Accessing AIR APIs from JavaScript
Chapter 4 AIR Mini-Cookbook
Application Chrome
Windowing
File API
File Pickers
Service and Server Monitoring
Online/Offline
Drag and Drop
Embedded Database
Command-Line Arguments
Networking
Sound
Appendix AIR Command-Line Tools
ADL
ADT
Appendix AIR JavaScript Aliases
Title:
Adobe Integrated Runtime (AIR) for JavaScript Developers Pocket Guide
Author: Mike chambers, Daniel Dura, Dragos Georgita & Kevin Hoyt
Publisher: O'Reilly
Price: 19.99, list on the web as 14.99 for the July 2008 version
This is a handy book to have, the only way it would be better if it was digital. Oh, wait! it is, and you can have it 45 days for free. This is great, and as an Adobe User Group Member that's another 20% off of the list price or $10. Additionally, I was able to just get my pathing setup and testing the configuration with a Hello World example.
So as a quick starter, this is a great reference and a must have for an introduction. I am not so sure if this would be used more as my experience grows as I would really like to have a deeper reference... But there is enough information here, that I could get away for a while with this for starters, then get into the meat later on. For sure, if you get a more comprehensive book, your going to need this "get started quick guide."
Be sure to check out the online review of this book.
