Mike Chambers offered a nice solution to this. Theoretically, my workaround is based on LocalConnection and another piece of software which can launch exe files without restrictions. If you really need to run external exe files, and there is no other way of solving your problem, then you will make sure that the user runs that another software before launching the AIR application. Let’s name this another software, Executor.
Ingredients:
- Executor is built with embedded content, having inside a little piece of SWF which handles communications with your AIR application and launches upon request other applications, exe type. This can be built using SWF packers (projectors) like Zinc (which is allowed to launch exe files, and have a lot of functionality for all sort of things), or – if you have the know how – you can build it yourself (and I can’t tell you how nice it is), using for instance, Delphi.
- Another class, which handles LocalConnection communications – will be included of you AIR application. If your AIR application cannot connect to Executor, you will announce the user to launch it, indicating the exact position of Executor (since you know where the installation took place).
- Executor has the ability to minimize to tray, without interfering with AIR’s execution. Another ability of Executor, should be to close itself upon request (sky’s the limit here, talking about its abilities) just before closing your AIR application.
In the end, I’ll have to admit three things:
- Although I didn’t tested, Mike’s solution seems more elegant and probably works cross-platform. So, if you have the knowledge, adopt his solution.
- Talking about Zinc and AIR is like a pleonasm, since AIR is doing more or less what Zinc did even before Apollo was just the name for a Greek God and a space mission name. If you are adopting the above solution, you’ll have to have a very good reason (like FileStream usage or ByteArray, maybe the open-source Safari browser) since most of the support that Zinc has to offer applies to every aspect you might think. So, building a Flex project which is using Zinc’s functionality seems by far a better idea.
- I’ll have to declare myself disappointed realizing that AIR didn’t make it to the point that we’ll don’t have to buy third party software to do achieve something so simple. If it’s a desktop application, than should behave like one, isn’t it? Despite this, I still believe in AIR because I have a good preview and I’m certain that one day this workaround will be redundant.
Today I’ve completed an application at Adobe, to create the Flex User Group Romania. RoFUG (short name for this community) is a project which needs every little piece of help you can give, especially if you are a Flex programmer which speaks Romanian language, or maybe you are a sponsor which want to see this community rise.
The idea it’s pretty old, but since I have a lot of things to build and do, I didn’t have time to make it happen. On 24th of January 2008, I’ve created a group named “Romanian Flex Programmers” as a first step on this road. Later, I’ve found on the web that a similar idea is posted on a forum, but I saw no movement so I’ve reconsidered my original idea to start it myself.
I really hope that this community will be recognized by Adobe, since it would be nicer to gather all Romanian Flex developers into one place. Even if nobody has the time to share knowledge at a level that is desirable, I have some previous experience (on swf.ro) that this can be done.
There is no secret that I’m looking for Flex work. I guess that every passionate programmer is looking for interesting projects, a team to work with, so he can enjoy life and work. The main problem with Romanian companies is their requirements : an error has propagated and they are copy-paste one after the other when job description is needed. Often you can find the Adobe Flex near Java or C++ languages – which is not wrong, but think about it : which Flex programmer would trade Flex for C++?
If I decided to choose Flex and AIR, I did it mostly because there is a strong ActionScript background which I’ve developed through the years – so, I see absolutely no reason to code Java (even if I’m certified by Romanian Work Ministry). Also, as far as I know, Java is used by companies which are an outsource for a foreign company – therefor why shouldn’t apply for jobs directly outside my country and relocate there for a better life and a Java development?
My opinion regarding their error is that they have absolutely no idea about what Flex is, they associated it with Java and this is it. Oh, and the HR responsable has no fault! It is mainly the fault of the project manager, the guy who writes the requirements. The HR has no clue about all the variety of languages, what is used for what and the definition of RAD.
I feel that we are hundred of years behind as a country. It’s a conservator trend which doesn’t let new (and powerfull) technologies arise. Most of my contacts and projects which require development in Flex are outsourced, so there is little hope that I will find a job in Romania. But there is no secret that I ask myself what kind of managers are out there which are not learning constantly, not searching for the new, not getting the Web 2.0 ideea at all (even if they carefully pointed it in their CV).
