What should I learn for Android Aps Development - Adobe AIR or Android SDK ?

[deki22]

Hello,

I have intermediate knowledge about PHP/MySQL and I have some ideas about Apps that I would like to develop (from simple business apps, to different type of dating apps).

Now I can't decide should I start learning Android SDK/Java or Adobe AIR.
Native Android can provide faster apps and higher functionality
and on other side having Adobe AIR knowledge can be used to make cross platform apps or destop apps.

So, for me it looks like learning Adobe AIR is better investment.

What do you think?
What is learning curve for Adobe AIR vs Android SDK (if I don't have any Java experience)?

[Nepomuk]

Hi deki22 and welcome to bytes.com!

Never having used Adobe AIR for development myself, I can only guess at some things concerning that platform; however generally the answer to such questions is: It depends.

If you use Android SDK you can take advantage of basically everything the devices your app will run on can provide; thereby your apps may be faster (which may be essential in high performance applications), you have access to all of androids libraries (plus many Java libraries developed in the past 19 years) rather than just those Adobe include and your users won't have to install Adobe AIR on their devices.
On the other hand, developing with Adobe AIR will make your apps more portable and possibly simpler do develop; if you don't need the above then this may be the better choice for you.

Whichever path you take, you have a steep learning curve ahead of you; Android SDK or Adobe AIR, Java or ActionScript, it won't be a walk in the park. However if you're determined I'm sure you could succeed in either.

[deki22]

Does anybody know what investment I need to Adobe AIR development?
I need to buy adobe flash?
Do I need anything else that is paid?

[JosephTele]

I think the first thing that you need to do is to take a basic training in Java. You will definitely need it for any android application. I would definitely suggest Android SDK as compared to Android AIR.

[rules engine]

Ignore Adobe AIR, Android SDK is more than enough for learning Android.