This question seems to say that it's necessary to root an att phone (like the samsung captivate) in order to install apps from unofficial sources.
My question is a bit more focused: if I'm working on my own android app, will I be able to load it on my att phone for testing (via the android SDK, etc.) without first rooting the phone?
Topic side-loading applications android
Category Android
The Android Compatibility Definition Document (direct pdf) says that “Device implementations MUST support the Android Developer Tools provided in the Android SDK.”
Any device which isn't “compatible with Android” according to this document isn't going to have the Google services, and in particular would not have the Google Play Store. Such devices do exist, but if you have one you'd likely know it.
(Lack of official compatibility doesn't mean you can't use the standard development tools, either, just that they're not obligated to allow it. The Amazon Kindle Fire is an example of such a device.)
This question seems to say that it's necessary to root an at&t phone (like the samsung captivate) in order to install apps from unofficial sources.
That is not true. While you cannot download apps from the Web, you can install apps through the development tools, or things based on the development tools (like the Sideloader Wonder Machine).
My question is a bit more focused: if I'm working on my own android app, will I be able to load it on my at&t phone for testing (via the android SDK, etc.) without first rooting the phone?
Yes.
Geeks Mental is a community that publishes articles and tutorials about Web, Android, Data Science, new techniques and Linux security.