Scripting

Scripting is often thought of as a kind of programming where built-in features such as MovieClips, timelines, and buttons provide most of the application's functionality. For example, a Web site that uses Flash for navigation may make use of MovieClips, Buttons, Sounds, etc. This kind of functionality is provided by ActionScript and very little additional programming is required. On the other hand, a game created with Flash may require code for handling physics, collisions, special timing control, etc. Usually, some significant programming is required to accomplish this. Writing this code using ActionScript 1.0 is possible, but it can often be cumbersome and the code can easily get confusing and unmanageable. ActionScript 2.0 can help make complex applications much easier to manage. It can also allow code for one application to be easily used in another. This maximizes the value of the code. And it can make sharing code between programmers a sort of Holy Grail of programming a real possibility.

ActionScript 2.0, opens up a whole new world for Flash developers by providing some of the organization and structure found in professional programming languages like Java and C++ . Many Flash developers will continue to use simple scripting techniques associated with ActionScript 1 (AS1). For those who need more, there is ActionScript 2 (AS2). Flash developers can take either approach, but for complex applications, AS2 can make life a lot easier. The key is to make use of AS2's programmer-friendly features and to think about...