ActionScript – The Definitive Guide - Softcover

Moock, Colin

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1565928520 ISBN 13: 9781565928527

Publisher: O′Reilly, 2001

Synopsis

Given its ability to deliver high-impact experiences even over low-bandwidth connections, Flash has become the de facto standard for hundreds of thousands of multimedia Web developers worldwide. Flash 5 includes a full-fledged programming language called "ActionScript" for controlling animation and multimedia. It's a quantum leap from the bare-bones "Actions" supported in Flash 4, and this text is dedicated entirely to documenting and demonstrating this new language. ActionScript includes all fundamental programming constructs (variables, loops, conditionals, functions, and so on), and is inextricably fused with Flash's authoring behaviours and animation timelines. Because ActionScript is based heavily on the ECMAScript Language Specification (ECMA-262) and is syntactically nearly identical to JavaScript, Macromedia expects thousands of existing JavaScript programmers to migrate to ActionScript. This book is divided into three sections. "ActionScript Fundamentals" introduces both programmers and non-programmers to the new language by first describing fundamental programming concepts and then delineating in detail the components, syntax, and usage of ActionScript. "Applied ActionScript Code Depot" shows you how to use common applications, such as processing online forms. "Language Reference" is a detailed reference that aims to make all ActionScript globals, properties, and objects, including extensive implementation samples, easy to find quickly. Code samples are also available from the "Code Depot" on the author's Web site devoted to Flash developers. Topics covered in this book include: step-by-step tutorials of the most common ActionScript behaviours; object-oriented programming in Flash; intelligent interface development; server communication; dynamic content generation; password protection; string handling; message boards; basic physics; and games. The book is structured so both programmers and non-programmers can learn how to use ActionScript. It aims to take the reader well beyond simple Flash animations so they can create their own enhanced Flash-driven sites.

About this title

About the Author

Colin Moock has been researching, designing, and developing for the Web since 1995. Colin served as webmaster for SoftQuad Inc. (makers of HoTMetaL PRO) until 1997. He is now a web evangelist for ICE Integrated Communications & Entertainment, where he divides his time between writing about the web, speaking at conferences, and creating interactive content for companies like Sony, Levi's, Nortel, Air Canada, and Hewlett-Packard. Colin's award-winning Flash work and his renowned support site for Flash developers have made him a well-known personality in the Flash developer community. Macromedia has officially recognized his Flash expertise both on their web site and by appointing him a member of their Flash Advisory Board. Colin is a contributing author of The Flash 4 Bible (1999, IDG Books) and The Flash 5 Bible (2001, IDG Books). For more information on Colin Moock, visit his website.

Edition details

• Publisher: O′Reilly
• Publication date: 2001
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1565928520
• ISBN 13: 9781565928527
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 720