Heavy flavour measurements in the ALICE experiment at the LHC

The results on open heavy flavour and charmonium production in pp collisions at the LHC with the ALICE experiment are presented, based on data collected in 2010 at √s =7 TeV. In particular charm production at central rapidity is measured in a number of exclusive decay channels into charged hadrons, e.g. D0 → K−π+, D+ → K−π+π+ and D∗+ → D0π+. Beauty and charm pro- duction can be studied at central and forward rapidity through the inclusive channels decaying in single electron and muon, respectively; J/ψ production at central and forward rapidities has been measured in the dielectron and dimuon channels, respectively. Finally, perspectives on heavy flavour measurements in Pb–Pb collisions are discussed.