ActionScript: The Definitive Guide

Externalizing ActionScript Code

ActionScript code can be saved in external text files (which use the .as extension by convention) or .swf files and imported into a Flash document. By maintaining code in external files, we facilitate the use of standard code libraries across many projects. We can import external code into Flash using Import From File, using the #include directive, or using a shared library.

Import From File (Author-Time Import)

While editing a .fla file, we may bring code into the Action panel’s Script pane using Import From File, found under the arrow button in the top-right corner of the Actions panel (see Figure 16.1). Import From File is a one-time operation that copies the contents of the external file into the Actions panel, replacing any script currently there. Code imported via Import From File is not persistently linked to the .fla file in any way. To append or insert script text instead of replacing it, you need to manually cut and paste the text from an external text-editing application.

#include (Compile-Time Import)

When we export (compile) a .swf file from a .fla file, we may import code from an external text file using the #include directive. For information on using #include, see Part III.

Shared Library (Runtime Import)

To import code from an external source while a movie is actually playing, we must create a shared library .swf file with a movie clip containing the code to import. Runtime import offers the most flexible approach to sharing code ...