Adobe, Zend combine Flash and PHP development

Zend Technologies and Adobe Systems today announced Flash Builder 4.5 for PHP, which enables developers to use PHP and Flash development skills to build rich Internet applications for mobile, Web, and desktop platforms.

The product provides an IDE combining Adobe’s Flash Builder 4.5, for ActionScript-based Flash client development, and Zend Studio 8, for server-side PHP capabilities. Accentuating the use for mobile deployments, the two vendors said applications can be delivered to Google Android, Research in Motion BlackBerry Tablet OS, and Apple iOS systems. For iOS, the IDE exports the applications into native code, rather than run in an the AIR (Adobe Integrated Runtime) software, which Apple prohibits on iOS. Android apps are also exported to a native package.

Flash Builder 4.5 for PHP, said Zend CEO Andi Gutmans, “makes it very easy for PHP developers to also build mobile apps, and it makes very easy for mobile developers to build server-side apps. We’re coming at this from both angles.” Applications themselves can be built on Windows or Mac clients.

“Developers will now be able to use one tool, one framework, and one common code base and build apps that run on Android, BlackBerry, and iOS,” said Dave Gruber, Adobe group product manager. Flash Builder 4.5 for PHP is due by May 11, with the premium edition, featuring network tracking and memory and performance profilers, priced at $799. A standard edition lacking these features will cost $399. Adobe and Zend are making the announcement concurrently with Adobe’s rollout of its Adobe Creative Suite 5.5 product line.

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