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CHAPTER 3
Write Scripts with ActionScript
The ActionScript language that is part of Macromedia Flash MX 2004 and Macromedia Flash
MX Professional 2004 offers designers and developers a variety of benefits.With ActionScript
you can control document playback in response to events such as elapsed time and loading data;
add interactivity to a document in response to user actions,such as a button click;use built-in
objects,such as a button object,with built-in associated methods,properties,and events;create
custom classes and objects;and create more compact and efficient applications than you could
create using user interface tools,all with code that you can reuse.
ActionScript is an object-oriented scripting language that offers control over how your
Flash content plays.In subsequent lessons,you ’ll see how ActionScript has evolved into
ActionScript 2.0 to comprise a core set of language elements that make it easier to develop
object-oriented programs.
You ’ll now use ActionScript to accomplish the following tasks:
•Name instances following recommended practices
•Initialize a document
•Apply ActionScript syntax
•Locate ActionScript reference documentation
•Add comments to ActionScript
•Wri t e a f unct i on
•Copy and modify a function
•Check syntax and test your application