ActionScript: The Definitive Guide

Chapter 20. ActionScript Language Reference

This Language Reference documents all the supported classes and objects of ActionScript, explaining their general purpose, usage, properties, methods, and event handlers. Also covered are the global functions and global properties (those not attached to a class or an object, but available in standalone form, throughout a movie).

All entries in the Language Reference are alphabetized. For example, the global function duplicateMovieClip( ) is listed after the Date class (not, say, in a separate “Global Functions” section). However, each entry title clearly indicates the type of item being described so that there can be no confusion between overlapping items. For example, duplicateMovieClip( ) comes in both global function and movie clip method form, so you’ll find it listed as both duplicateMovieClip( ) Global Function and MovieClip.duplicateMovieClip( ) Method. If you’re unsure of where to find an item, consult the index at the back of the book.

Global Functions

Global functions are built-in functions that are available throughout an entire movie—they may be invoked from any frame, button, or event handler in a movie (unlike methods, which must be invoked using a reference to a specific object).

Table 20.1 lists the global functions available in Flash 5 ActionScript.

Table 20-1. ActionScript Global Functions

Boolean( )	call( )	Date( )
duplicateMovieClip( )	escape( )	eval( )
fscommand( )	getProperty( )	getTimer( ...