Question

Using Adobe AIR packaging options to package for iOS, I came across these targets for ADT packager.

What is the difference between target ipa-test and ipa-ad-hoc?

According to Adobe AIR * ADT command documentation:

-target The type of package to create. The supported package types are:

• iOS package targets:
  • ipa-ad-hoc — an iOS package for ad hoc distribution.
  • ipa-app-store — an iOS package for Apple App store distribution.
  • ipa-debug — an iOS package with extra debugging information. (The SWF files in the application must also be compiled with debugging
    support.)
  • ipa-test — an iOS package compiled without optimization or debugging information.
  • ipa-debug-interpreter — functionally equivalent to a debug package, but compiles more quickly. However, the ActionScript bytecode
    is interpreted and not translated to machine code. As a result, code
    execution is slower in an interpreter package.
  • ipa-test-interpreter — functionally equivalent to a test package, but compiles more quickly. However, the ActionScript bytecode is
    interpreted and not translated to machine code. As a result, code
    execution is slower in an interpreter package.

Source: iOS package targets

Does ad-hoc mean better performance?

I suspect ad-hoc to be the closest thing to release/distribution IPA. Maybe even the same, just with different distr. policy?

Answer 1

Yes, ad-hoc means better performance. And also a way of distribution.

Also keep in mind to compile swf in release mode if it goes for release-distribution or if you’re gonna test actual performance.