Adobe AIR (Adobe Integrated Runtime) with Ajax: Visual QuickPro Guide

Adobe AIR (Adobe Integrated Runtime) with Ajax: Visual QuickPro Guide

by Larry Ullman
Released May 2008
Publisher(s): Peachpit Press
ISBN: 9780321524614

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Book description

AIR (Adobe Integrated Runtime) is Adobe’s open-source technology that lets Web developers and programmers create Rich Internet Applications that run outside of any Web browser. This Visual QuickPro Guide teaches everything you need to know to begin creating applications that combine the rich experience of a traditional desktop application with the power and reach of the Internet. The book uses a visual, step-by-step approach and covers all the fundamental AIR concepts, without the fluff, confusing segues, and technical jargon that bog down so many other computer books. Author Larry Ullman has a well-earned reputation for writing books that are accessible, easy-to-follow, and, above all, useful. This book focuses solely on developing AIR applications using HTML and JavaScript, although formal knowledge of JavaScript is not required.

Table of contents

  1. Copyright
    1. Dedication
  2. Special thanks to
  3. Introduction
    1. About This Book
    2. What You’ll Need
    3. Getting Help
  4. 1. Running AIR Applications
    1. Installing the Runtime
      1. To install the runtime
    2. Installing an Application
      1. To install an AIR application
    3. Running an Application
      1. To run an application
  5. 2. Creating an Application
    1. Installing the SDK
      1. To install the SDK
    2. Updating Your Path on Windows
      1. To modify your system’s path
    3. Updating Your Path on Mac OS X
      1. To modify your system’s path
    4. Creating the Project’s Structure
      1. To create an application’s structure
    5. Creating the HTML File
      1. To create an HTML file
    6. Creating the XML File
      1. To create the XML file
    7. Testing the Application
      1. To test an AIR application
    8. Creating a Certificate
      1. To create a certificate
    9. Building the Application
      1. To build an application
  6. 3. AIR Development Tools
    1. Using Aptana Studio
      1. To install Aptana Studio
      2. To create an AIR application
    2. Using Dreamweaver
      1. To create an AIR application
    3. Creating Digital Signatures
      1. Creating a certificate using Aptana Studio
        1. To create a certificate in Aptana Studio
      2. Creating a certificate using Dreamweaver
        1. To create a certificate in Dreamweaver
  7. 4. Basic Concepts and Code
    1. Technological Background
      1. WebKit
      2. JavaScript
      3. Object-oriented programming
      4. APIs
      5. Security model
      6. Universal Resource Identifiers
    2. Using AIRAliases.js
      1. To use AIRAliases.js
    3. JavaScript Frameworks
      1. To use a framework
    4. ActionScript Libraries
      1. To use ActionScript libraries
    5. Handling Events
      1. To create an event handler
    6. The XMLHttpRequest Object
      1. To use XMLHttpRequest
  8. 5. Debugging
    1. Using JavaScript Dialogs
      1. To use JavaScript dialogs
    2. Using Trace
      1. To use trace
    3. Using the AIR Introspector
      1. To use AIRIntrospector.js
    4. Other Debugging Techniques
      1. To debug AIR applications
  9. 6. Making Windows
    1. Creating a New Window
      1. To make a new window
    2. Creating a New Native Window
      1. To make a new native window
    3. Customizing Windows
      1. To customize a native window
    4. Accessing a New Native Window
      1. To access a native window
    5. Creating Full-screen Windows
      1. To create a full-screen window
    6. Handling Window Events
      1. To handle window events
    7. Creating a New Look
      1. To create your own chrome
    8. Moving and Resizing Windows
      1. To move and resize windows
  10. 7. Creating Menus
    1. Menu Terminology
    2. Creating a Menu
      1. To create a menu
    3. Handling Menu Events
      1. To handle menu events
    4. OS-specific Menus
      1. To create platform-specific menus
    5. Adding Keyboard Equivalents
      1. To assign keyboard equivalents
    6. Changing a Menu Item’s State
      1. To adjust the menu states
  11. 8. Importing and Exporting Data
    1. Copying
      1. To copy data to the clipboard
    2. Cutting
      1. To cut application content
    3. Pasting
      1. To copy data to the clipboard
    4. Working with Different Formats
      1. To use files with the clipboard
    5. Drag and Drop In
      1. To support drag and drop in
    6. Drag and Drop Out
      1. To support drag and drop in
  12. 9. Files and Directories
    1. Fundamentals
      1. AIR classes involved
      2. Paths and directories
      3. Synchronicity
    2. File and Directory Browsing
      1. To allow a user to select a file or directory
    3. Accessing File Information
      1. To use a file’s information
    4. Reading Directories
      1. To read a directory
    5. Deleting Files and Directories
      1. To delete a file or directory
    6. Copying and Moving
      1. To copy or move a file
  13. 10. Working with File Content
    1. Reading from Files
      1. To read from a text file
    2. Writing to Files
      1. To write to a file
    3. An Asynchronous Example
      1. To perform asynchronous transactions
    4. Using Binary Data
      1. To work with binary data
  14. 11. Working with Databases
    1. Connecting to a Database
      1. To connect to a database
    2. Creating a Database
      1. To create a database
    3. Inserting Records
      1. To insert records
    4. Handling Errors
      1. To handle errors
    5. Selecting Records
      1. To select records
    6. Updating and Deleting Records
      1. To update and delete records
  15. 12. Database Techniques
    1. Distributing Databases
      1. To distribute databases
    2. Using Prepared Statements
      1. To use prepared statements
    3. Fetching Records in Groups
      1. To fetch results in groups
    4. Performing Transactions
      1. To perform transactions
    5. Improving Performance
      1. To improve an application’s performance
    6. Debugging Techniques
      1. To debug database applications
  16. 13. Networking
    1. The URLRequest Class
      1. To monitor a URL
    2. Receiving Data
      1. To receive remote data
    3. Parsing Data
      1. To parse remote data
    4. Transmitting Data
      1. To transmit data
    5. Downloading Files
      1. To download a file
    6. Downloading Large Files
      1. To download a large file
    7. Uploading Files
      1. To upload a file
  17. 14. Using Other Media
    1. Playing Sounds
      1. To play sounds
    2. Playing Long Sounds
      1. To play long sounds
    3. Playing Streaming Sounds
      1. To stream sounds
    4. Controlling Sounds
      1. To control sounds
    5. Displaying PDFs
      1. To display PDF content
    6. Handling XML Data
      1. To use XML data
  18. 15. Security Techniques
    1. The AIR Security Model
      1. To test the application sandbox
    2. Using Non-Application Sandbox Content
      1. To test the non-application sandbox
    3. Using the Sandbox Bridge
      1. To use a sandbox bridge
    4. Storing Encrypted Data
      1. To use an encrypted local store
    5. Validating Data
      1. To validate data
    6. Best Security Practices
      1. To improve an application’s security
  19. 16. Deploying Applications
    1. More Application Descriptor File Options
      1. To use optional application settings
    2. Using Custom Icons
      1. To specify an application’s icon
    3. Seamless Installations
      1. To provide a seamless install
    4. More Application Ideas
      1. To use these new techniques
    5. Updating an Application
      1. To use the Updater class

Product information

  • Title: Adobe AIR (Adobe Integrated Runtime) with Ajax: Visual QuickPro Guide
  • Author(s): Larry Ullman
  • Release date: May 2008
  • Publisher(s): Peachpit Press
  • ISBN: 9780321524614