For a sorting machine I've designed, I am trying to decide which language to learn again to write the vision system. OpenCV is popular on c++ and java, but my algorithm isn't going to be all that complicated and I LOVE FLASH. Also, getting compilers to work for c++ is proving to be annoying.

Question 1
Can i just buy any basic webcam and get access to it in Adobe Flash? A few years ago, I made an app for my old droid phone that got access to and displayed the camera, but it was buggggggyyyyy. I just want to use a cheap webcam for practice, later I'll buy a more "lab grade" camera.

Question 2
Am I going to have to learn a ton of electrical engineering and computer engineering to turn/flip a circuit on/off with flash or is there a more plug and play option available?