Alfresco environment setup

[javed_afroz]

Hi,
     I have just started developing a custom application with Alfresco as a back end. As I know there are two way of setting up alfresco in a machine - either download and install alfresco from alfresco website or checkout source code and build it. Please suggest me which way shall I use alfresco in my application.


Thanks in advance.

[mrogers]

I'd do both to get started.   Use the installer to download and configure a working version of alfresco with all the dependencies in place.   That will allow you to become familiar with a working installation.   

Then use the source code or the SDK to replace the bits you want to customise.