Macromedia Flash 8 ActionScript : Training from the Source

by Makar, Jobe; Patterson, Danny

• ISBN13: 9780321336194
• ISBN10: 0321336194
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2006-01-24
• Publisher: Macromedia Press

Summary

As any Flash developer worth his or her salt knows, yours"re not tapping all of the programrs"s power unless yours"re taking advantage of its scripting language. Not to worry: With Flash 8rs"s improved scripting language (which includes a visual interface!) and this project-based guide you donrs"t have to be a master programmer to do so. In these pages authorsJobe MakarandDanny Patterson, use hands-on lessons and simple, step-by-step instructions to translate real-life activities into scripts, in the process demonstrating that scripting is something you already instinctively know how to do. To that end, the authors have provided methodologies and techniques for building nearly 40 real-life Flash 8 ActionScript projects, including sample games, wireless applications, Web sites, and more-all of which will help you work faster and more efficiently. The companion CD contains all of the project files and images yours"ll need to complete the bookrs"s lessons.

Author Biography

Jobe Makar coauthor of Macromedia Flash MX 2004 ActionScript: Training from the Source, specializes in games and applications programming. Co-founder of Electrotank, Inc., as Senior Game Developer, he's also the author of Macromedia Flash MX 2004 Game Design Demystified by Macromedia Press.  Danny Patterson is a Consultant specializing in Flash and Web technologies. He is a Partner/Author at Community MX and a Member of Team Macromedia Flash. He has also been published in the MX Developer's Journal. He is a Certified Advanced ColdFusion MX, Flash MX and Flash MX 2004 Developer. He has worked on web projects for many large companies including Microsoft, IBM, Starz, Dell, Adobe and Virgin. You can check out his weblog at DannyPatterson.com.

Table of Contents

Introduction	xi
LESSON 1 Introduction to ActionScript 2.0	1	(36)
What Is ActionScript?
Using the Actions Panel
Creating Variables
Code Placement
Understanding Objects, Classes, and Scope
LESSON 2 Functions	37	(24)
Creating Functions
Adding Parameters to Functions
Using Local Variables and Creating Functions that Return Results
LESSON 3 Conditional Logic	61	(16)
Controlling a Script's Flow
Reacting to Multiple Conditions
Reacting to User Interaction
Detecting the Edge of the Stage
LESSON 4 Arrays and Loops	77	(18)
Why Loops Are Useful
Types of Loops
Loop Exceptions
Creating a Search Application
Writing and Understanding Loop Conditions
Nested Loops
LESSON 5 Built-in Classes	95	(30)
What Classes Are and Why They're Useful
Using the Color Class
Working with String and Selection Classes
LESSON 6 Custom Classes	125	(36)
Understanding Classes, Top-Level Classes, and Instances
Creating a Class
Understanding the Classpath
Using Packages and Importing Classes
Using Getters and Setters
Defining Members
Understanding Inheritance
Updating an Inheritance-Based Project
LESSON 7 Events, Listeners, and Callbacks	161	(16)
What Events Do
Types of Events in Flash
Event Handlers
Creating a Project Using Event Handlers
Listeners
Creating a Project Using Listeners
LESSON 8 Dynamically Creating Assets	177	(20)
Attaching Movie Clips
Adding Empty Movie Clips
Drawing Programmatically
Working with Movie Clips as Buttons
Adding Text Fields Programmatically
Formatting Text
LESSON 9 Bitmap Features	197	(32)
Using Bitmap Surface Caching
Applying Filters
Applying Blend Modes Programmatically
Introducing the Bitmap API
LESSON 10 UI Components	229	(38)
Components: A Scripting Primer
Configuring Component Properties
Triggering Scripts Using Component Events
Using Component Methods
Using the FocusManager Component
Customizing UI Components with ActionScript
LESSON 11 Advanced Object-Oriented Design	267	(22)
Correcting Scope Errors with Delegate
Understanding Encapsulation
Applying Composition
Using Composition and Inheritance Together
Dispatching Events
LESSON 12 Data Validation	289	(28)
The Logic Behind Validating Data
Using Validation Routines
Handling Errors
Validating Strings
Validating Sequences
Validating Against a List of Choices
Validating Numbers
Processing Validated Data
LESSON 13 External Data Connections	317	(42)
Understanding Data Sources and Data Formats
GET versus POST
Using the LoadVars Class
Policy Files
Using Shared Objects
Using the WebServiceConnector Component
LESSON 14 XML and Flash	359	(36)
XML Basics
Using the XML Class
Using Socket Servers
LESSON 15 External Interface	395	(16)
Getting Started with ExternalInterface
Configuring HTML for Basic ExternalInterface Calls
Calling JavaScript Functions from ActionScript
Using JavaScript Functionality from Flash
Calling ActionScript Functions from JavaScript
Building a Quiz Application
LESSON 16 Sound and Video	411	(40)
Controlling Sound with ActionScript
Creating a Sound Instance
Dragging a Movie Clip Instance Within a Boundary
Controlling Volume
Controlling Panning
Attaching Sounds and Controlling Sound Playback
Loading and Controlling External Video
LESSON 17 Printing and Context Menus	451	(22)
Flash Printing versus Browser Printing
Using the PrintJob Class
Creating Custom Context Menus
LESSON 18 Maximum-Strength SWF Files	473	(32)
Understanding fscommand()
Using Zinc
Using FlashVars
Index	505