book

ActionScript: The Definitive Guide

Name: ActionScript: The Definitive Guide
Author: Colin Moock
ISBN: 9781565928527

by Colin Moock

May 2001

Intermediate to advanced

720 pages

23h 24m

English

O'Reilly Media, Inc.

Read now

Unlock full access

ActionScript: The Definitive Guide
Foreword
Preface
What Can ActionScript Do?Timeline ControlInteractivityVisual and Audio Content ControlProgrammatic Content GenerationServer Communication
The Code Depot
Showcase
Typographical Conventions
We’d Like to Hear from You
Acknowledgments
I. ActionScript Fundamentals
1. A Gentle Introduction for Non-Programmers
Some Basic PhrasesCreating CodeSay Hi to FlashKeeping Track of Things ( Variables)Official variable nomenclatureThe Wizard Behind the Curtain (the Interpreter)Extra Info Required (Arguments)ActionScript’s Glue (Operators)Putting It All Together

Further ActionScript Concepts
Flash ProgramsExpressionsTwo Vital Statement Types: Conditionals and LoopsMaking choices using conditionalsRepeating tasks using loopsModular Code (Functions)Built-in functionsMovie Clip InstancesThe Event-Based Execution Model
Building a Multiple-Choice Quiz
Quiz OverviewBuilding the Layer StructureCreating the Interface and QuestionsInitializing the QuizAdding Frame LabelsScripting the Answer ButtonsBuilding the Quiz EndTesting Our Quiz
Onward!
2. Variables
Creating Variables (Declaration)Automatic Variable CreationLegal Variable NamesCreating dynamically named variablesDeclare Variables at the Outset
Assigning Variables
Changing and Retrieving Variable Values
Checking Whether a Variable Has a Value
Types of Values
Automatic TypingAutomatic Value ConversionDetermining the Type Manually
Variable Scope
Scenario 1Scenario 2Scenario 3Variable Accessibility (Scope)Movie Clip VariablesScenario 4Accessing Variables on Different TimelinesThe _root and _ parent propertiesAccessing variables on different document levelsFlash 4 versus Flash 5 variable access syntaxMovie Clip Variable Life SpanScenario 5Local VariablesLocal variables in subroutines
Some Applied Examples
Onward!
3. Data and Datatypes
Data Versus Information
Retaining Meaning with Datatypes
The ActionScript Datatypes
Creating and Categorizing Data
Automatic Literal TypingAutomatic Complex Expression Typing
Datatype Conversion
Automatic Type ConversionExplicit Type ConversionConverting to a string with the toString( ) methodConverting to a string with the String( ) functionConverting to a string with empty string concatenationConverting to a number with the Number( ) functionConverting to a number by subtracting zeroConverting to a number using the parseInt( ) and parseFloat( ) functionsConverting to a BooleanConversion DurationFlash 4-to-Flash 5 Datatype ConversionDetermining the Type of an Existing Datum
Primitive Data Versus Composite Data
Onward!
4. Primitive Datatypes
The Number Type
Integers and Floating-Point Numbers
Numeric Literals
Integer LiteralsFloating-Point LiteralsFloating-point precisionSpecial Values of the Number DatatypeNot-a-Number: NaNMinimum and maximum allowed values: MIN_VALUE and MAX_VALUEInfinity and negative infinity: Infinity and -InfinityIrrational numbers
Working with Numbers
Using OperatorsBuilt-in Mathematical Functions
The String Type
Character EncodingString LiteralsThe empty stringEscape sequencesUnicode-style escape sequences
Working with Strings
Joining Strings TogetherThe concat( ) functionComparing StringsUsing the equality (==) and inequality (!=) operatorsCharacter order and alphabetic comparisonsUsing Built-in String FunctionsCharacter IndexingExamining StringsThe length propertyThe charAt( ) functionThe indexOf( ) functionThe lastIndexOf( ) FunctionNo regular expressionsRetrieving Portions of StringsThe substring( ) functionThe substr( ) functionThe slice( ) functionThe split( ) functionString extraction performance issuesCombining String Examination with Substring ExtractionCharacter Case ConversionThe toUpperCase( ) functionThe toLowerCase( ) functionCharacter Code FunctionsThe fromCharCode( ) functionThe charCodeAt( ) functionExecuting Code in a String with evalFlash 4 Versus Flash 5 String Operators and Functions
The Boolean Type
Using Boolean Values to Build a Preloader
Undefined
Null
Onward!
5. Operators
General Features of OperatorsOperators and ExpressionsNumber of OperandsOperator PrecedenceOperator AssociativityDatatypes and Operators
The Assignment Operator
Combining Operations with Assignment
Arithmetic Operators
AdditionIncrementSubtractionDecrementMultiplicationDivisionModulo DivisionUnary Negation
The Equality and Inequality Operators
Primitive Datatype EqualityComposite Datatype EqualityEquality and Datatype ConversionThe Inequality OperatorCommon Uses of Equality Operations
The Comparison Operators
The Less-Than OperatorThe Greater-Than OperatorThe Less-Than-or-Equal-to OperatorThe Greater-Than-or-Equal-to OperatorComparison Operations and Datatype Conversion
The String Operators
The Logical Operators
Logical ORLogical ANDLogical NOTLogical Expressions and Data Values
The Grouping Operator
The Comma Operator
The void Operator
Other Operators
The Bitwise OperatorsThe typeof OperatorThe new OperatorThe delete OperatorArray-Element/Object-Property OperatorThe dot OperatorThe conditional OperatorThe Function Call Operator
Onward!
6. Statements
Types of Statements
Statement Syntax
Statement Blocks
The ActionScript Statements
Loops and ConditionalsExpression StatementsThe var StatementThe set Statement (Set Variable)The function StatementFunction Call StatementsThe call( ) StatementThe return StatementThe with StatementThe ifFrameLoaded StatementThe Empty Statement
Statements Versus Actions
Onward!
7. Conditionals
The if Statement
The else Statement
The Conditional Operator
The else if Statement
Simulating the switch Statement
Compact Conditional Syntax
Onward!
8. Loop Statements
The while Loop
Loop Terminology
The do-while Loop
The for Loop
Multiple Iterators in for Loops
The for-in Loop
Stopping a Loop Prematurely
The break StatementThe continue StatementMaximum Number of Iterations
Timeline and Clip Event Loops
Creating an Empty-Clip Timeline LoopFlash 5 Clip Event LoopsKeeping event loops portableFrame Rate’s Effect on Timeline and Clip Event Loops
Onward!
9. Functions
Creating Functions
Running Functions
Passing Information to Functions
Creating Functions with ParametersInvoking Functions with Parameters
Exiting and Returning Valuesfrom Functions
Terminating a FunctionReturning Values from Functions
Function Literals
Function Availability and Life Span
Function AvailabilityFunction Life Span
Function Scope
The Scope ChainLocal Variables
Function Parameters Revisited
Number of ParametersThe arguments ObjectRetrieving parameter values from the arguments arrayThe callee propertyPrimitive Versus Composite Parameter Values
Recursive Functions
Internal Functions
Internal Function Availability
Functions as Objects
Passing Functions to Functions
Centralizing Code
The Multiple-Choice Quiz Revisited
Organizing the Quiz Code into FunctionsCalling the quiz functions
Onward!
10. Events and Event Handlers
Synchronous Code Execution
Event-Based AsynchronousCode Execution
Types of Events
Event Handlers
Event Handler Syntax
Creating Event Handlers
Attaching Event Handlers to Buttons and Movie ClipsAttaching Event Handlers to Other Objects
Event Handler Scope
Movie Clip Event Handler ScopeButton Event Handler ScopeOther Object Event Handler Scope
Button Events
pressreleasereleaseOutsiderollOverrollOutdragOutdragOverkeyPress
Movie Clip Events Overview
Movie-Playback Movie Clip Events
enterFrameloadunloaddataUsing a data event handler with loadVariables( )Using a data event handler with loadMovie( )
The User-Input Movie Clip Events
mouseDownmouseUpmouseMovekeyDownHandling special keyskeyUp
Order of Execution
Copying Clip Event Handlers
Refreshing the Screen with updateAfterEvent
Code Reusability
Dynamic Movie Clip Event Handlers
Event Handlers Applied
Onward!
11. Arrays
What Is an Array?
The Anatomy of an Array
Array ElementsArray Element IndexingArray Size
Creating Arrays
The Array ConstructorArray Literals
Referencing Array Elements
Retrieving an Element’s ValueSetting an Element’s Value
Determining the Size of an Array
Named Array Elements
Creating and Referencing Named Array ElementsRemoving Named Elements
Adding Elements to an Array
Adding New Elements DirectlyAdding New Elements with the length PropertyAdding New Elements with Array MethodsThe push( ) methodThe unshift( ) methodThe splice( ) methodThe concat( ) method
Removing Elements from an Array
Removing Elements with the delete OperatorRemoving Elements with the length PropertyRemoving Elements with Array MethodsThe pop( ) methodThe shift( ) methodThe splice( ) method
General Array-Manipulation Tools
The reverse( ) MethodThe sort( ) MethodThe slice( ) MethodThe join( ) MethodThe toString( ) MethodArrays as Objects
Multidimensional Arrays
The Multiple-Choice Quiz, Take 3
Onward!
12. Objects and Classes
The Anatomy of an Object
Instantiating Objects
Object Properties
Referring to PropertiesUsing a for-in Loop to Access an Object’s Properties
Methods
Classes and Object-Oriented Programming
Object ClassesMaking a ClassCreating members of a classAssigning custom properties to the objects of a classAssigning methods to objects of a classObject Property InheritanceCreating inherited properties with the prototype propertyOverriding inherited propertiesThe constructor propertyThe _ _ proto_ _ propertySuperclasses and SubclassesMaking a superclassPolymorphismDetermining whether an object belongs to a superclassThe end of the inheritance chainComparing Java terminologyObject-Oriented Programming Summary
Built-in ActionScript Classes and Objects
Built-in ClassesBuilt-in ObjectsLearning the Ropes
Onward!
13. Movie Clips
The “Objectness” of Movie Clips
Types of Movie Clips
Main MoviesRegular Movie ClipsSmart ClipsProcess ClipsScript ClipsLinked ClipsSeed Clips
Creating Movie Clips
Movie Clip Symbols and InstancesCreating InstancesManually creating instancesCreating instances with duplicateMovieClip( )Creating instances with attachMovie( )Instance NamesImporting External MoviesLoad movie execution order
Movie and Instance Stacking Order
The Internal Layer StackThe Programmatically Generated Clip StackHow clips generated via attachMovie( ) are added to the stackHow clips generated via duplicateMovieClip( ) are added to the stackAssigning depths to instances in the programmatically generated clip stackThe .swf Document “_level” StackStacks and Order of Execution
Referring to Instances and Main Movies
Using Instance NamesReferring to the Current Instance or MovieSelf-references with the this keywordReferring to Nested InstancesReferring to Main Movies with _root and _levelnReferencing the current level’s main movie using _rootReferencing other documents in the Player using _levelnAuthoring Instance References with Insert Target PathDynamic References to Clip ObjectsUsing the array-element access operatorStoring references to clips in data containersUsing for-in to access movie clipsThe _name propertyThe _target propertyThe targetPath( ) functionWhither Tell Target?
Removing Clip Instances and Main Movies
Using unloadMovie( ) with Instances and LevelsUsing unloadMovie( ) with levelsUsing unloadMovie( ) with instancesUsing removeMovieClip( ) to Delete InstancesRemoving Manually Created Instances Manually
Built-in Movie Clip Properties
Movie Clip Methods
Creating Movie Clip MethodsInvoking Movie Clip MethodsBuilt-in Movie Clip MethodsMethod versus global function overlap issues
Applied Movie Clip Examples
Building a Clock with Clips
The Last Quiz
Onward!
14. Lexical Structure
Whitespace
Statement Terminators (Semicolons)
Comments
Reserved Words
Identifiers
Case Sensitivity
Onward!
15. Advanced Topics
Copying, Comparing, and Passing Data
Bitwise Programming
Bitwise ANDBitwise ORBitwise XORBitwise NOTThe Bitwise Shift OperatorsSigned right shiftUnsigned right shiftLeft shiftBitwise Operations AppliedWhy bitwise?
Advanced Function Scope Issues
The movieclip Datatype
Onward!
II. Applied ActionScript
16. ActionScript Authoring Environment
The Actions PanelEditing ModesNormal ModeExpert ModeSetting the editing mode
Adding Scripts to Frames
Adding Scripts to Buttons
Adding Scripts to Movie Clips
Where’s All the Code?
Productivity
Externalizing ActionScript Code
Import From File (Author-Time Import)#include (Compile-Time Import)Shared Library (Runtime Import)
Packaging Components as Smart Clips
Building a Smart Clip with a Standard InterfaceAdding a standard interface to a Smart ClipConfiguring standard clip parametersRemoving and reordering standard clip parametersBuilding a Smart Clip with a Customized InterfaceCreating a custom interface .swf fileAdding a custom interface to a Smart ClipUsing Smart Clips
Onward!
17. Flash Forms
The Flash Form Data CycleFlash Client-Side User InputTransmitting Data for Server-Side ProcessingThe Data-Handling ApplicationFlash Receives and Interprets Results
Creating a Flash Fill-in Form
Building the FrontendSending Data to the ServerThe Perl Script, echo.plReceiving Results from the Server
Onward!
18. On-Screen Text Fields
Dynamic Text FieldsCreating a Dynamic Text FieldChanging the Content of a Dynamic Text FieldRetrieving the Value of a Dynamic Text Field
User-Input Text Fields
Creating a User-Input Text FieldChanging the Content of an Input Text FieldRetrieving and Using the Value of an Input Text FieldUser-Input Text Fields and Forms
Text Field Options
Line DisplayVariableBorder/BgWord WrapSelectableMax CharactersEmbed Fonts
Text Field Properties
The scroll PropertyThe maxscroll PropertyTypical Text-Scrolling CodeThe _changed Event
HTML Support
 (Bold) (Italics) (Underline) (Font Control) (Paragraph Break) (Line Break)< A> (Anchor or Hypertext Link)Anchor Tag Tab OrderQuoting Attribute ValuesUnrecognized Tags and AttributesUsing HTML as OutputUsing HTML as InputExecuting JavaScript from HTML LinksCalling ActionScript Functions from HTML Links
Working with Text Field Selections
Empty Text Fields and the for-in Statement
Onward!
19. Debugging
Debugging ToolsThe trace( ) FunctionThe List Variables CommandThe List Objects CommandThe Bandwidth ProfilerThe Debugger
Debugging Methodology
Recognizing BugsIdentifying the Source of a BugCommon Sources of BugsFixing Bugs
Onward!
III. Language Reference
20. ActionScript Language Reference
Global Functions
Global Properties
Built-in Classes and Objects
Entry Headings
Alphabetical Language Reference
Arguments Object
arguments.callee Property
arguments.length Property
Array Class
Array.concat( ) Method
Array.join( ) Method
Array.length Property
Array.pop( ) Method
Array.push( ) Method
Array.reverse( ) Method
Array.shift( ) Method
Array.slice( ) Method
Array.sort( ) Method
Array.splice( ) Method
Array.toString( ) Method
Array.unshift( ) Method
Boolean( ) Global Function
Boolean Class
Boolean.toString( ) Method
Boolean.valueOf( ) Method
Call( ) Global Function
Color Class
Color.getRGB( ) Method
Color.getTransform( ) Method
Color.setRGB( ) Method
Color.setTransform( ) Method
Date( ) Global Function
Date Class
Date.getDate( ) Method
Date.getDay( ) Method
Date.getFullYear( ) Method
Date.getHours( ) Method
Date.getMilliseconds( ) Method
Date.getMinutes( ) Method
Date.getMonth( ) Method
Date.getSeconds( ) Method
Date.getTime( ) Method
Date.getTimezoneOffset( ) Method
Date.getUTCDate( ) Method
Date.getUTCDay( ) Method
Date.getUTCFullYear( ) Method
Date.getUTCHours( ) Method
Date.getUTCMilliseconds( ) Method
Date.getUTCMinutes( ) Method
Date.getUTCMonth( ) Method
Date.getUTCSeconds( ) Method
Date.getYear( ) Method
Date.setDate( ) Method
Date.setFullYear( ) Method
Date.setHours( ) Method
Date.setMilliseconds( ) Method
Date.setMinutes( ) Method
Date.setMonth( ) Method
Date.setSeconds( ) Method
Date.setTime( ) Method
Date.setUTCDate( ) Method
Date.setUTCFullYear( ) Method
Date.setUTCHours( ) Method
Date.setUTCMilliseconds( ) Method
Date.setUTCMinutes( ) Method
Date.setUTCMonth( ) Method
Date.setUTCSeconds( ) Method
Date.setYear( ) Method
Date.toString( ) Method
Date.UTC( ) Class Method
Date.valueOf( ) Method
duplicateMovieClip( ) Global Function
escape( ) Global Function
eval( ) Global Function
_focusrect Global Property
fscommand( ) Global Function
getProperty( ) Global Function
getTimer( ) Global Function
getURL( ) Global Function
getVersion( ) Global Function
gotoAndPlay( ) Global Function
gotoAndStop( ) Global Function
_highquality Global Property
#include Directive
Infinity Global Property
-Infinity Global Property
int( ) Global Function
isFinite( ) Global Function
isNaN( ) Global Function
Key Object
Key.getAscii( ) Method
Key.getCode( ) Method
Key.isDown( ) Method
Key.isToggled( ) Method
_leveln Global Property
loadMovie( ) Global Function
loadMovieNum( ) Global Function
loadVariables( ) Global Function
loadVariablesNum( ) Global Function
Math Object
Math.abs( ) Method
Math.acos( ) Method
Math.asin( ) Method
Math.atan( ) Method
Math.atan2( ) Method
Math.ceil( ) Method
Math.cos( ) Method
Math.E Property
Math.exp( ) Method
Math.floor( ) Method
Math.LN10 Property
Math.LN2 Property
Math.log( ) Method
Math.LOG10E Property
Math.LOG2E Property
Math.max( ) Method
Math.min( ) Method
Math.PI Property
Math.pow( ) Method
Math.random( ) Method
Math.round( ) Method
Math.sin( ) Method
Math.sqrt( ) Method
Math.SQRT1_2 Property
Math.SQRT2 Property
Math.tan( ) Method
maxscroll Property
Mouse Object
Mouse.hide( ) Method
Mouse.show( ) Method
MovieClip “Class”
MovieClip._alpha Property
MovieClip.attachMovie( ) Method
MovieClip._currentframe Property
MovieClip._droptarget Property
MovieClip.duplicateMovieClip( ) Method
MovieClip._framesloaded Property
MovieClip.getBounds( ) Method
MovieClip.getBytesLoaded( ) Method
MovieClip.getBytesTotal( ) Method
MovieClip.getURL( ) Method
MovieClip.globalToLocal( ) Method
MovieClip.gotoAndPlay( ) Method
MovieClip.gotoAndStop( ) Method
MovieClip._height Property
MovieClip.hitTest( ) Method
MovieClip.loadMovie( ) Method
MovieClip.loadVariables( ) Method
MovieClip.localToGlobal( ) Method
MovieClip._name Property
MovieClip.nextFrame( ) Method
MovieClip._parent Property
MovieClip.play( ) Method
MovieClip.prevFrame( ) Method
MovieClip.removeMovieClip( ) Method
MovieClip._rotation Property
MovieClip.startDrag( ) Method
MovieClip.stop( ) Method
MovieClip.stopDrag( ) Method
MovieClip.swapDepths( ) Method
MovieClip._target Property
MovieClip._totalframes Property
MovieClip.unloadMovie( ) Method
MovieClip._url Property
MovieClip.valueOf( ) Method
MovieClip._visible Property
MovieClip._width Property
MovieClip._x Property
MovieClip._xmouse Property
MovieClip._xscale Property
MovieClip._y Property
MovieClip._ymouse Property
MovieClip._yscale Property
NaN Global Property
newline Constant
nextFrame( ) Global Function
nextScene( ) Global Function
Number( ) Global Function
Number Class
Number.MAX_VALUE Property
Number.MIN_VALUE Property
Number.NaN Property
Number.NEGATIVE_INFINITY Property
Number.POSITIVE_INFINITY Property
Number.toString( ) Method
Object Class
Object.constructor Property
Object.__proto__ Property
Object.toString( ) Method
Object.valueOf( ) Method
parseFloat( ) Global Function
parseInt( ) Global Function
play( ) Global Function
prevFrame( ) Global Function
prevScene( ) Global Function
print( ) Global Function
printAsBitmap( ) Global Function
printAsBitmapNum( ) Global Function
printNum( ) Global Function
_quality Global Property
random( ) Global Function
removeMovieClip( ) Global Function
_root Global Property
scroll Property
Selection Object
Selection.getBeginIndex( ) Method
Selection.getCaretIndex( ) Method
Selection.getEndIndex( ) Method
Selection.getFocus( ) Method
Selection.setFocus( ) Method
Selection.setSelection( ) Method
setProperty( ) Global Function
Sound Class
Sound.attachSound( ) Method
Sound.getPan( ) Method
Sound.getTransform( ) Method
Sound.getVolume( ) Method
Sound.setPan( ) Method
Sound.setTransform( ) Method
Sound.setVolume( ) Method
Sound.start( ) Method
Sound.stop( ) Method
_soundbuftime Global Property
startDrag( ) Global Function
stop( ) Global Function
stopAllSounds( ) Global Function
stopDrag( ) Global Function
String( ) Global Function
String Class
String.charAt( ) Method
String.charCodeAt( ) Method
String.concat( ) Method
String.fromCharCode( ) Class Method
String.indexOf( ) Method
String.lastIndexOf( ) Method
String.length Property
String.slice( ) Method
String.split( ) Method
String.substr( ) Method
String.substring( ) Method
String.toLowerCase( ) Method
String.toUpperCase( ) Method
targetPath( ) Global Function
tellTarget( ) Global Function
toggleHighQuality( ) Global Function
trace( ) Global Function
unescape( ) Global Function
unloadMovie( ) Global Function
unloadMovieNum( ) Global Function
updateAfterEvent( ) Global Function
$version “Global” Property
XML Class
XML.appendChild( ) Method
XML.attributes Property
XML.childNodes Property
XML.cloneNode( ) Method
XML.contentType Property
XML.createElement( ) Method
XML.createTextNode( ) Method
XML.docTypeDecl Property
XML.firstChild Property
XML.hasChildNodes( ) Method
XML.ignoreWhite Property
XML.insertBefore( ) Method
XML.lastChild Property
XML.load( ) Method
XML.loaded Property
XML.nextSibling Property
XML.nodeName Property
XML.nodeType Property
XML.nodeValue Property
XML.onData( ) Event Handler
XML.onLoad( ) Event Handler
XML.parentNode Property
XML.parseXML( ) Method
XML.previousSibling Property
XML.removeNode( ) Method
XML.send( ) Method
XML.sendAndLoad( ) Method
XML.status Property
XML.toString( ) Method
XML.xmlDecl Property
XMLnode Class
XMLSocket Class
XMLSocket.close( ) Method
XMLSocket.connect( ) Method
XMLSocket.onClose( ) Event Handler
XMLSocket.onConnect( ) Event Handler
XMLSocket.onData( ) Event Handler
XMLSocket.onXML( ) Event Handler
XMLSocket.send( ) Method
IV. Appendixes
A. Resources
ActionScript and Programming
ECMA-262 Resources
Object-Oriented Programming
SWF File Format
B. Latin 1 Character Repertoire and Keycodes
C. Backward Compatibility
Updates to the Flash 5 Player, Build 41
Controlling Movie Clips
D. Differences from ECMA-262 and JavaScript
Index
Colophon

404

Not Found

Either this content does not exist or you do not have access to it. Try searching for something new.

Cloud Computing

Data Engineering

Data Science

AI & ML

Programming Languages

Software Architecture

IT/Ops

Security

Design

Business

Soft Skills

ActionScript: The Definitive Guide

by Colin Moock

404

Not Found