Home > Articles > Design > Adobe Creative Suite

Flash Reference Guide

Aug 22, 2003

␡

⎙ Print

< Back Page 34 of 398 Next >

Behind all the glitter of Flash is a powerful programming language called ActionScript. ActionScript is the tool that allows you to add interaction to Flash. Whether that interaction is a tool that stops a movie from playing or that calculates your score in a game, it is always ActionScript that causes this interaction.

ActionScript is based very solidly on JavaScript. Both languages find their roots in the industry standard Document Object Model, or DOM. Generally, industry standards are more widely used, which means that if you know JavaScript, you'll be able to pick up ActionScript very quickly.

At some point you will want to do something in Flash that requires the user to interact with the program. This may be something as simple as creating a navigation bar or as complicated as creating a game. Whatever your needs, you will have to use ActionScript to do it.

Where to place ActionScript in Flash Authoring Tool

All of the scripts you write for Flash will be placed within the Actions Panel. When you are working directly in Flash there are two places where you can add scripts: Object and Frame.

ActionScript can be added to a movie clip, button or object on the Stage. Scripts can also be placed in the Timeline in a specific frame. There are advantages to both.

When you edit your Flash document and use the Actions panel to create scripts, keeping track of what object or frame is currently selected is important. Sometimes the action of opening the Actions panel causes Flash to deselect the object to which you wanted to assign a script, so Flash starts applying the code to the currently selected frame instead. As a quick check, always take note of whether the Actions panel is labeled Frame Actions or Object Actions; that gives you a guide as to what you're actually editing. Look at the top of the panel to see which type you're working with.

There are two ways you can work with the Actions Panel: Script Assist and Normal. You can find these two options in the properties for the Actions panel.

Open the Actions panel and select the top right-hand corner of the panel. You see the dropdown menu where you can choose between Normal and Expert modes.

The Script Assist mode makes it easier for users who are new to programming or who do not know how to program to begin working with ActionScript. Helpers and guides in the Script Assist mode complete much of the programming for you. You can still do most of the tricks developed in this guide, but you won't be able to complete all of them.

The Normal mode is freestyle time! There are no training wheels here. Basically, the Actions panel becomes nothing more than a text editor, which does make scripting harder because the guides are gone; however, as you become more adept at programming in ActionScript, you will find this mode much easier to work in. You also receive the benefit of new tools such as code hinting.

A very useful tool in the Expert mode is the Check Syntax tool. When you're in Expert mode you can see its icon, the blue check mark, on the top of the Actions panel.

The role of this very useful tool is to read your ActionScript and check for any errors. If everything is correct then an alert box pops up and declares "The script contains no errors". If the tool finds any errors the alert box reads "The script contains errors." Fortunately, it doesn't leave you hanging at this point. The Output panel opens automatically and lists all the syntactical errors it finds on the page. The Output window tells you to the line number where to find your error and then explains what the error is and a possible fix.

Now, I don't want you to think that the Check Syntax tool fixes your ActionScript. The solutions that it presents to you as ways of fixing your script are very generic. What it does, however, is alert you to where you're having problems and prepares you to begin debugging.

The Reference panel is a second tool that you should take advantage of. The tool helps to explain what specific ActionScript terms do and how to use them.

In the Actions panel enter the following:

loadMovieNum ("test.swf", 1);

This ActionScript loads an external SWF movie called test.swf into level 1 of the main Flash movie. If you want to find out what this specific action accomplishes, select the word loadMovieNum and select the question mark in the Actions panel, which forces the Reference panel to open to a specific reference of loadMovieNum. Each reference is broken down with a description, which version of Flash supports the action, examples on how to use the action, and links to other related actions.

A third tool on the Actions panel that helps you with your programming is the Show Code Hint tool. The function of the Show Code Hint button is to demonstrate how to write a specific line of code. You can think of the Show Code Hint as that really friendly tool that knows everything.

Here is how it works. Suppose you have the following ActionScript on the page:

on (release) {
mouse.hide(1);
}

For the script to work you want the event to be initialize as you click you mouse on the button. But, how the heck do you do that? What you do is delete the word release in the parentheses. This is the event word you want to replace. Now, click the Show Code Hint button. What you get is a drop-down menu inline with your ActionScript. Now you have a list of events you can use.

Another useful tool Normal mode gives you is the Auto Format tool. This tool, displayed in the toolbar at the top of the Actions panel, helps you format your code. As you write code you may find that you end up with concatenated it/else statements, or other script that appears to run together. This code can often be very hard to read, particularly if a lot of spaces are placed between different sections of code. The Auto Format tool reshuffles your ActionScript, eliminating spaces and indenting nested scripts, to make the code easier to read. This reshuffling saves your addled senses.

External ActionScript - #Include Object

As an ActionScript programmer you are going to start with small scripts and then they will grow. This is because you will feel more confident with your programming skills.

When you have an identical ActionScript required for two or more programs you can re-use the ActionScript through the #include object.

The #include object allows you to point Flash to an external text file containing ActionScript. The file is dynamically loaded into Flash when a movie is run. The power with this tool is that you can re-use the same scripts in a limitless number of movie.

The include object is relatively simple to use. However, its power in re-use is undeniable.

Knowing When to Use Which Version of ActionScript

ActionScript is an evolving language. Currently there are three main releases of ActionScript plus a mobile version of ActionScript for Flash Lite. The trick is often knowing which version to use where and when. The main guideline really is driven by your customers' needs. Will they allow you to use the latest and greatest features in Flash, or do they want to play it safe and have you build solutions for them in Flash 7 or 6? If you are building solutions for Flash Player 5 and 6 then you are limited to ActionScript 1. ActionScript 1 has limited Object Oriented development and streamlining. If you can build solutions for Flash Player 7 and 8 then you can take advantage of ActionScript 2.0 and full and complete OO language. If you are targeting Flash Player 8.5 and later then take advantage of ActionScript 3.0.

ActionScript is a lot of fun. Flash really comes to life as you add interaction through ActionScript to your movies.

< Back Page 34 of 398 Next >

🔖 Save To Your Account

Peachpit Promotional Mailings & Special Offers

I would like to receive exclusive offers and hear about products from Peachpit and its family of brands. I can unsubscribe at any time.

Privacy Notice

Overview

Pearson Education, Inc., 221 River Street, Hoboken, New Jersey 07030, (Pearson) presents this site to provide information about Peachpit products and services that can be purchased through this site.

This privacy notice provides an overview of our commitment to privacy and describes how we collect, protect, use and share personal information collected through this site. Please note that other Pearson websites and online products and services have their own separate privacy policies.

Collection and Use of Information

To conduct business and deliver products and services, Pearson collects and uses personal information in several ways in connection with this site, including:

Questions and Inquiries

For inquiries and questions, we collect the inquiry or question, together with name, contact details (email address, phone number and mailing address) and any other additional information voluntarily submitted to us through a Contact Us form or an email. We use this information to address the inquiry and respond to the question.

Online Store

For orders and purchases placed through our online store on this site, we collect order details, name, institution name and address (if applicable), email address, phone number, shipping and billing addresses, credit/debit card information, shipping options and any instructions. We use this information to complete transactions, fulfill orders, communicate with individuals placing orders or visiting the online store, and for related purposes.

Surveys

Pearson may offer opportunities to provide feedback or participate in surveys, including surveys evaluating Pearson products, services or sites. Participation is voluntary. Pearson collects information requested in the survey questions and uses the information to evaluate, support, maintain and improve products, services or sites; develop new products and services; conduct educational research; and for other purposes specified in the survey.

Contests and Drawings

Occasionally, we may sponsor a contest or drawing. Participation is optional. Pearson collects name, contact information and other information specified on the entry form for the contest or drawing to conduct the contest or drawing. Pearson may collect additional personal information from the winners of a contest or drawing in order to award the prize and for tax reporting purposes, as required by law.

Newsletters

If you have elected to receive email newsletters or promotional mailings and special offers but want to unsubscribe, simply email ask@peachpit.com.

Service Announcements

On rare occasions it is necessary to send out a strictly service related announcement. For instance, if our service is temporarily suspended for maintenance we might send users an email. Generally, users may not opt-out of these communications, though they can deactivate their account information. However, these communications are not promotional in nature.

Customer Service

We communicate with users on a regular basis to provide requested services and in regard to issues relating to their account we reply via email or phone in accordance with the users' wishes when a user submits their information through our Contact Us form.

Other Collection and Use of Information

Application and System Logs

Pearson automatically collects log data to help ensure the delivery, availability and security of this site. Log data may include technical information about how a user or visitor connected to this site, such as browser type, type of computer/device, operating system, internet service provider and IP address. We use this information for support purposes and to monitor the health of the site, identify problems, improve service, detect unauthorized access and fraudulent activity, prevent and respond to security incidents and appropriately scale computing resources.

Web Analytics

Pearson may use third party web trend analytical services, including Google Analytics, to collect visitor information, such as IP addresses, browser types, referring pages, pages visited and time spent on a particular site. While these analytical services collect and report information on an anonymous basis, they may use cookies to gather web trend information. The information gathered may enable Pearson (but not the third party web trend services) to link information with application and system log data. Pearson uses this information for system administration and to identify problems, improve service, detect unauthorized access and fraudulent activity, prevent and respond to security incidents, appropriately scale computing resources and otherwise support and deliver this site and its services.

Cookies and Related Technologies

This site uses cookies and similar technologies to personalize content, measure traffic patterns, control security, track use and access of information on this site, and provide interest-based messages and advertising. Users can manage and block the use of cookies through their browser. Disabling or blocking certain cookies may limit the functionality of this site.

Do Not Track

This site currently does not respond to Do Not Track signals.

Security

Pearson uses appropriate physical, administrative and technical security measures to protect personal information from unauthorized access, use and disclosure.

Children

This site is not directed to children under the age of 13.

Marketing

Pearson may send or direct marketing communications to users, provided that

Pearson will not use personal information collected or processed as a K-12 school service provider for the purpose of directed or targeted advertising.
Such marketing is consistent with applicable law and Pearson's legal obligations.
Pearson will not knowingly direct or send marketing communications to an individual who has expressed a preference not to receive marketing.
Where required by applicable law, express or implied consent to marketing exists and has not been withdrawn.

Pearson may provide personal information to a third party service provider on a restricted basis to provide marketing solely on behalf of Pearson or an affiliate or customer for whom Pearson is a service provider. Marketing preferences may be changed at any time.

Correcting/Updating Personal Information

If a user's personally identifiable information changes (such as your postal address or email address), we provide a way to correct or update that user's personal data provided to us. This can be done on the Account page. If a user no longer desires our service and desires to delete his or her account, please contact us at customer-service@informit.com and we will process the deletion of a user's account.

Choice/Opt-out

Users can always make an informed choice as to whether they should proceed with certain services offered by Adobe Press. If you choose to remove yourself from our mailing list(s) simply visit the following page and uncheck any communication you no longer want to receive: www.peachpit.com/u.aspx.

Sale of Personal Information

Pearson does not rent or sell personal information in exchange for any payment of money.

While Pearson does not sell personal information, as defined in Nevada law, Nevada residents may email a request for no sale of their personal information to NevadaDesignatedRequest@pearson.com.

Supplemental Privacy Statement for California Residents

California residents should read our Supplemental privacy statement for California residents in conjunction with this Privacy Notice. The Supplemental privacy statement for California residents explains Pearson's commitment to comply with California law and applies to personal information of California residents collected in connection with this site and the Services.

Sharing and Disclosure

Pearson may disclose personal information, as follows:

As required by law.
With the consent of the individual (or their parent, if the individual is a minor)
In response to a subpoena, court order or legal process, to the extent permitted or required by law
To protect the security and safety of individuals, data, assets and systems, consistent with applicable law
In connection the sale, joint venture or other transfer of some or all of its company or assets, subject to the provisions of this Privacy Notice
To investigate or address actual or suspected fraud or other illegal activities
To exercise its legal rights, including enforcement of the Terms of Use for this site or another contract
To affiliated Pearson companies and other companies and organizations who perform work for Pearson and are obligated to protect the privacy of personal information consistent with this Privacy Notice
To a school, organization, company or government agency, where Pearson collects or processes the personal information in a school setting or on behalf of such organization, company or government agency.

Links

This web site contains links to other sites. Please be aware that we are not responsible for the privacy practices of such other sites. We encourage our users to be aware when they leave our site and to read the privacy statements of each and every web site that collects Personal Information. This privacy statement applies solely to information collected by this web site.

Requests and Contact

Please contact us about this Privacy Notice or if you have any requests or questions relating to the privacy of your personal information.

Changes to this Privacy Notice

We may revise this Privacy Notice through an updated posting. We will identify the effective date of the revision in the posting. Often, updates are made to provide greater clarity or to comply with changes in regulatory requirements. If the updates involve material changes to the collection, protection, use or disclosure of Personal Information, Pearson will provide notice of the change through a conspicuous notice on this site or other appropriate way. Continued use of the site after the effective date of a posted revision evidences acceptance. Please contact us if you have questions or concerns about the Privacy Notice or any objection to any revisions.

Last Update: November 17, 2020

Email Address