For those starting out with Adobe AIR, and have read about its features, the next logical thing to do in the learning process is to actually build a desktop application.

Here I showcase a simple ToDo List Application (I have named it MyToDo) made using Flex Builder 3 to show you how to leverage the features I explained in the previous post.

“MyToDo” is an application which is to be used as a todo list. User can add todos, and mark them as completed once they are done with. The ones marked completed may either be removed, or sent back to the list of todo items.

Key Features-

• Uses Custom Chrome
• Uses SQLite
• Checks for Application Updates from the internet (from the url “http://tekyt.info/MyToDo-V2.air” in particular)
• Minimizes to System Tray

[All features found to be working on Windows, not tested on Mac - system tray code might not work on Mac]

How to use the Application-

• Install MyToDo using the AIR install badge whose link appears at the end of this blog post.
• To add a new todo, click on the ‘New ToDo’ button.
• To mark a todo as complete, simply click on the todo item.
• To mark a completed todo item as incomplete, simply click on it. [For instructions inside the app, hover over the item]
• Clear Completed button will remove all the completed items forever (from the database)
• Clicking on the ‘Close’ button on top right will minimize to system tray, with tooltip as number of pending todos.
• Right-click on the system tray icon for options.
• The ‘Update Me’ button checks for updates, if a recent version is avaible, the application is updated else, the Welcome message changes text to notify non-availability of updates  [Version 1.0 upgrades to Version 2.0]

Get the Flex Project Source Code here

Install the Application here

If you have any queries on the source code, please do post it in the comments

I was thinking, what goes into building a cool Adobe AIR desktop application? An AIR application can be developed either using Adobe Dreamweaver, Flex or Flash. Here are some features of AIR that you can leverage to make your application look cool-

• Use of custom chrome- Why should applications be bound in a rectangular box? With AIR, you can change the look and feel of your application (even make it apple-shaped) for an intuitive user experience. Here is a wonderful tutorial for  you to get started- http://technoracle.blogspot.com/2007/07/air-apple-shaped-application.html
• System Tray Integration- Most dektop applications these days have system tray integration, when you minimize them, they dock to the system tray. Here is a tutorial on how to achieve docking- http://www.saskovic.com/blog/?p=5
• Transitions and Effects- As with Web Applications made in Adobe Flex, you can use transitions and effects in your AIR dektop application. Here is a totally cool effect- http://www.alex-uhlmann.de/flash/adobe/blog/distortionEffects/effectCube/
• Use of the SQLite API- Adobe AIR provides an SQLite API which can be used to make local SQLite databases. SQLite requires no seperate installation and is a serverless, compact DB engine – just what a desktop application needs

Other than this, an AIR application is capable of using the client system’s native filesystem, performing application updates, using the clipboard and everything else a desktop application is capable of. The biggest advantage of developing an AIR application is that it is cross platform- it runs seamlessy on Windows, Mac and Linux.

Exciting times ahead with the upcoming version of AIR 2.0 which facilitates microhpone data access, multi-touch and gesture events, USB detection and much more. Check out a preview here