Scripting for Everyone
From version to version, Flash has become less and less about animation of vector graphics and more about coding scripts to develop deep, extensive applications that can be deployed on a multitude of platforms. I’m not just talking about operating system platforms either. Flash is now being used on PlayStation 2, PocketPCs, DVD menus, QuickTime, RealPlayer, etc. The list goes on. The platform-agnostic Java may still have the market cornered on multi-platform/device development, but it’s starting to feel like Flash is in the running for many cases as well. Macromedia obviously foresees this trend — that’s why we’re seeing words like “application development” and “Flash MX” mentioned in the same sentence. Flash MX includes a slew of features and enhancements devoted to improving ActionScript code writing and application development.
Whether it’s your first time writing ActionScript or you’re an old pro, Flash MX’s improved ActionScript editor has something for everyone. For first time Flashers, the Normal mode of the ActionScript Editor is more complete with prompts for events, methods and parameters, leaving less confusion as what needs to be entered where. If you’re at a loss at what a particular action does or how it is used, a comprehensive reference panel is a click away (see figure 3). References include helpful, detailed examples that provide better context of an action. A handy pull down menu is now included at the top of the Actions panel that lists all the actions applied to frames and objects in a current scene (see figure 4).
Figure 3: The Reference panel, which can be called up at any time, helps novices navigate ActionScripting.
Figure 4: Switching to Expert mode in the Actions panel gives you access to code hinting. A close-up is shown below.
For seasoned Flash coders, Macromedia wants to make you feel right at home. Aside from the new IDE-like interface, coders will be happy to know that a source-level debugger is now included and can be used in either Flash or a browser. The debugger includes a powerful set of tools for fixing your code: set breakpoints; step in, out or over lines of code; watch variables and list properties. Better syntax coloring, new code hinting, auto-completion, and auto-formatting round out the list of features to make Flash MX a coder’s delight (see figures 5 and 6). For an application that began its humble beginnings with just a handful of actions, Flash MX puts its best foot forward to make the intimidating ActionScript language manageable and accessible for novice and experts alike.
Figure 5: Coders can tweak to what extent the Auto Format option will adjust code.
Figure 6: A complete debugger is at your disposal to weed out those pesky code bugs.
This article was last modified on January 8, 2023
This article was first published on June 11, 2002
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