Adobe Integrated Runtime (AIR) is revolutionizing the way desktop applications are deployed. If you're ready to take advantage of this platform to build desktop-based Rich Internet Applications, then this is the book for you. It presents a step-by-step process, walking you through the features of AIR so you can quickly get started.
After introducing you to AIR, Adobe expert Rich Tretola discusses the different programming languages and tools you can use for development. He then presents multiple methods for storing data, including within the file system and embedded database as well as storage on remote servers. You'll also learn about the numerous features that allow AIR applications to interact with both Mac OS X and Windows.
This guide offers a perfect mix of tutorials and hands-on coding, and provides the resources you need to build AIR applications quickly. And it provides the resources that will help you build your first killer Rich Desktop Application.
What you will learn from this book
All about the programming languages available for AIR development
How to work with the various tools for building AIR applications
Steps for getting data into AIR applications from XML, ColdFusion, JSON, and Web Services
Ways to take advantage of the HTML and File System components
Strategies for utilizing AIR APIs that handle interactions with the operating system
How to move a Flex application to the desktop
Who this book is for This book is for developers who are currently leveraging web technologies, such as Flash, Flex, HTML, JavaScript and Ajax techniques to build and deploy Rich Internet Applications.
Customer Reviews
Average Rating:
Rating: - Quite disappointing
You're wandering through the desert for hours on end when someone appears wanting to to sell you a cold bottle of beer. You're thirsty and would pay just about anything. You pay the price and then discover it isn't cold and it isn't beer and it doesn't quench your thirst. You've been had. Buy Beginning Adobe AIR and you may feel like this.
I bought a copy here on Amazon. There are just not many books on AIR just yet, so I thought I'd give it a try. This one was obviously rushed to press. ... Read More
Rating: - Solid AIR Book
I've never been too fond of the Wrox books but am happy to note that this was an excellent starter book for AIR. I decided to roll the dice on it (based on poor experiences with other Wrox titles) because of the author (a noted Flex/AIR guru), whose blog I've read. Well, Rich Tretola (the author, that is!) did not disappoint. The book is concise and packed with good informaiton on AIR and the new APIs you'll want to use/learn. Speaking of the APIs, all code/examples in the book are useful and focused. ... Read More
Rating: - Far too light - even for a beginners book
While I appreciate the AIR v1.0 has only just been released, this book was far too light on - I didn't really gain anything that I had already learnt from Adobe's quickstart and sample apps. It's a pity because there is a heap more stuff in AIR that just a little extra insight could have really added a lot of value to this book.
Rating: - Not for HTML/JavaScript Programmers
If you're looking for a big 'Hello World' book using Flex then this is the book for you. The publisher has done a great job in mentioning all of the relevant technologies without saying the book is targetted towards Flex developers.
Rating: - Well done, but could be longer.
It's solid. It has a "cookbook" feel to it, which I like. What I mean by that is that the book dishes out info in a succinct way and covers pretty much what you'd like to know when building an app. Things like, prepping the xml description file, accessing the local file system, connecting to remote data, interacting with the OS. Good stuff.
I don't like how short it is, about 300 pages. The text is big, has lots of pictures (this is good but it inflates the page count), and a few tables that ... Read More
- Quite disappointing
- Solid AIR Book
