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ActionScript: The Definitive Guide: Mastering Flash Programming 1st Edition

by Colin Moock (Author)

4.6 63 ratings

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ActionScript for Flash MX: The Definitive Guide, Second Edition
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Given its ability to deliver high-impact experiences even over low-bandwidth connections, Flash has become the de facto standard for hundreds of thousands of multimedia web developers worldwide.Flash 5 now includes a new full-fledged programming language called "ActionScript" for controlling animation and multimedia. It's a quantum leap from the bare-bones "Actions" supported in Flash 4, andActionScript: The Definitive Guide is the first book dedicated entirely to documenting and demonstrating this new language.ActionScript includes all fundamental programming constructs (variables, loops, conditionals, functions, etc.), and is inextricably fused with Flash's authoring behaviors and animation timelines. Because ActionScript is based heavily on the ECMAScript Language Specification (ECMA-262) and is syntactically nearly identical to JavaScript, Macromedia expects thousands of existing JavaScript programmers to migrate to ActionScript.This book is divided into three sections.

"ActionScript Fundamentals" introduces both programmers and non-programmers to the new language by first describing fundamental programming concepts and then delineating in detail the components, syntax, and usage of ActionScript.
"Applied ActionScript Code Depot" shows you how to use common applications, such as processing online forms.
"Language Reference" is a concise and detailed reference that makes all ActionScript globals, properties, and objects, including extensive implementation samples, easy to find quickly.

Code samples are also available from the "Code Depot" on theauthor's web site devoted to Flash developers.Topics covered in this book include:

Step-by-step tutorials of the most common ActionScript behaviors
Object-oriented programming in Flash
Intelligent interface development
Server communication
Dynamic content generation
Password protection
String handling
Message boards
Basic physics
Games

ActionScript: The Definitive Guide is structured so both programmers and non-programmers can learn how to use ActionScript. This book will take you well beyond simple Flash animations so you can create your own enhanced Flash-driven sites.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Macromedia Flash is the obvious choice for delivering multimedia over the Web. At the heart of Flash's power is ActionScript, the product's powerful object-oriented scripting language. ActionScript is based on JavaScript, making it easy for Web developers new to Flash to get up to speed. ActionScript: The Definitive Guide is a tutorial and reference to ActionScript that meets the needs of both new Flash developers learning the language and experienced coders who need a daily reference.

Author Colin Moock starts off with a primer to Flash terminology and a quick example application--an interactive quiz. Following that, the book quickly gets down to ActionScript nuts and bolts. The first part covers the basics of the language, such as operators, variable scope, and conditional logic, in a traditional presentation. A few lines of example code illustrate each concept.

Critical topics like arrays, movie clips, and object-oriented programming are covered well at the detail level, though a more extensive example application would really have come in handy to illustrate the big picture. The back of the book contains an excellent reference to the ActionScript language, complete with inline example code. ActionScript is an important tool to master, and ActionScript: The Definitive Guide is a fine means to that end. --Stephen W. Plain

About the Author

is an independent web guru with a passion for networked creativity and expression. He has been researching, designing, and developing for the Web since 1995. Colin served as webmaster for SoftQuad, Inc. (makers of HoTMetaL PRO) until 1997, and then as web evangelist for ICE (one of Canada's leading interactive agencies) until 2001. He has created interactive content for Sony, Levi's, Nortel, Air Canada, Procter & Gamble, and Hewlett-Packard. Colin now divides his time between writing, speaking at conferences, and researching emerging web technology. His award-winning Flash work and his renowned support site for Flash developers (http://www.moock.org) have made him a well-known personality in the Flash developer community. He is a contributor to macromedia.com's Flash developer center, a tutorialist in the Flash MX Bible (2002, Wiley Publishing Inc.), and regularly appears in industry magazines such as cre@te! online. Colin's latest personal undertaking is Unity (http://www.moock.org/unity/), a Flash socket server for multi-user content.

Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ O'Reilly Media; 1st edition (May 11, 2001)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Paperback ‏ : ‎ 720 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1565928520
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1565928527
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 2.24 pounds
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 7 x 1.3 x 9.19 inches

Customer Reviews:
4.6 63 ratings

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Colin Moock

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Colin Moock is an independent web guru with a passion for networked creativity and expression. He has been researching, designing, and developing for the Web since 1995. His award-winning Flash work and his renowned support site for Flash developers (http://www.Moock.org) have made him a well-known personality in Flash developer community.

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askrom

The Holy Friggin Bible of ActionScript!

Reviewed in the United States on June 24, 2001

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If you're into Flash 5 ActionScripting, I whole-heartedly recommend Colin Moock's ActionScript: The Definitive Guide.
It is easily the most comprehensive guide to ActionScripting in Flash I have ever seen. The first 2/3 of the book is divided into concept-based chapters - Variables, Loops, Events, Objects, Arrays, etc. This is great for when you think you know what you're trying to do, but you need some prosaic insight into the options you have, and some tips on avoiding pitfalls.
The last 1/3 is a detailed ActionScript Reference that puts all others to shame. It covers everything. Where Macromedia's ActionScript reference barely explains many commands, and almost never gives example code, Colin's guide has several realistic examples for every single entry. It will never fail to mention that one little quirky behavior that would otherwise keep you up all night debugging.
It is not a book of tutorials, and this is a good thing. Now there's nothing wrong with tutorials - they're a powerful tool for visualizing a complete process - but sometimes you want to just look something up. I use it incessantly: my copy of ASDG is only two weeks old, but the dog-ears and post-it notes make it look like I've owned it for years.
It is a book that I can honestly say has made as much a difference to my creative relationship with computers as the legendary Commodore 64 Programmer's Reference Guide. Thanks, Colin!

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ToddDominey

The only ActionScript book you need

Reviewed in the United States on September 9, 2001

Verified Purchase

I probably come from a slightly different perspective than others here, for I consider myself to be someone who's already learned the ins-and-outs of ActionScript pretty well. I have a number of Flash related books sitting on my shelf, some helpful, others just recipe books for specific functions. But Moock's "The Definitive Guide" is the one Flash book that will sit on my desk, next to my monitor, ready to rumble.

The reason is this: Macromedia's reference materials are banal, poorly written, and just overly complex. I bought Moock's book just so I could have a decent reference manual, but after reading the first few pages of the introduction, I was hooked. Moock's tone, style, and humor is addictive. He explains seemingly complex topics in clear, down-to-earth style that puts most technical writers to shame.

This is the manual Macromedia should have written. I can only imagine how much time I could have saved from the get-go if this "bible" existed when I first started out. Whether you're an old programming pro, or a graphic designer who shivers when seeing the "Actions" palette, this is for you. You don't need pretty pictures, testimonials, or inspirational interviews with Flash gurus. This is all you'll ever need.

15 people found this helpful

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James PJ

Excellent

Reviewed in the United States on April 9, 2002

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Colin Moock expertly leads "pretty picture making" Flash non-programmers and programmers toward the magic symbiosis of Flash MX and Cold Fusion. Moock explains the fundamentals of programming along with detailed ActionScript syntax definition and simple examples.

So what is the relevance of Flash MX and Cold Fusion in a review of a book on Flash 5 ActionScript? Currently few books are published on Flash MX ActionScript and/or reviewed. Macromedia's marketing strategy seems aimed at combining Flash MX, with Cold Fusion and "back end" database connectivity.

Developers who masters ActionScript and Cold Fusion will have the edge. Don't bother waiting for an MX ActionScript book. MX ActionScript may deprecate some code (big deal) and only enhance what you will learn from this book.

This book is THE book for ActionScript.

2 people found this helpful

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Arturo Toledo

Good ActionScript reference book

Reviewed in the United States on May 31, 2003

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It's all good... lot's of info, examples, details, etc etc...
I do have to comment though that everything you find in this book is EASILY found and sometimes in a way more deep and detailed manner in the Macromedia Flash Help section and in [...] Flash support section... I would not consider this an essential book even though one feels secure to have it close...

2 people found this helpful

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Rob Allen

Useful for some, and useless for others

Reviewed in the United States on October 29, 2002

As a web coder, I write in JavaScript fairly often. Given that ActionScript and JavaScript have the same background, moving from one to the other should have been a snap, but it isn't and a good book to help the experienced coder get into Flash and ActionScript is a necessary evil. I thought this book would be the key.
The first half of the book goes into excellent detail about the usage of different loops and variable naming techniques etc. Coding basics. This isn't what I had in mind. The target of this book is more for the Flash Graphical Designer who knows little or no code, but wants to add functionality to their art. I was looking for something to add art to my functionality :).
I won't tell you not to get it, but I will tell you that you should define your position and what you are looking to accomplish when buying a guide. I just learned that the hard way.

4 people found this helpful

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Ken Wells

Cut to the Chase!

Reviewed in the United States on November 22, 2001

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This is THE book to keep handy while you are learning ActionScript. Every little wierd question you have about anything ActionScript seems to be answered in this book. This is the book that should come with Flash in the first place. Definitive is the word here. You don't have to read something and wonder if and when it will work. I have about 20 Flash books and as far as ActionScript goes, this is NUMBER 1 in for learning and reference. This is the centerpiece ActionScript book.
The literature is very straight forward and enlightening. The author does not waste words talking about his influences, philosophies, his family, his dog and so on. Love it. I would have gladdly paid $100 bucks for it. I dought you will see a used one too often.

4 people found this helpful

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Curt Story

One Word: Excellent

Reviewed in the United States on September 27, 2002

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As a beginner in Flash, this book was intimidating at first: seemingly dry and wordy for my taste. But, as my experience grew and I read further, I've found this book chock-full of concise, well documented information on making Actionscript work. I've read many books on the subject, and now I'm convinced this is the best book available. The examples Moock presents for various functions, methods, and properties are clearly explained with proper syntax. It's obvious he knows what he's writing about. I now refer to this book daily at my job; it's indespensible.

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Top reviews from other countries

G. W. Naylor

A very good all rounder

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 8, 2001

Verified Purchase

This book is thorough to say the least, at 696 pages. I'm still getting into ActionScript and this book fills a gap. The gap created at one end with the beginners guides and at the other with the books of endless working examples. However, as I am not new to programming I am always frustrated by having to trawl through books to find out why a particular command was used, what else it relates too and its syntax. This book does all that. This is not just a book for intermediaries. It's an excellent reference for the advanced user and provides short, concise, easy to follow examples for beginners.

One person found this helpful

John Oxton

There is nothing else

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 6, 2003

Verified Purchase

It's this simple, if you are interested in taking Flash beyond animation, this is the only book you will ever need. The writing style is exciting and the examples rock solid. The language reference at the back has saved me going prematurely grey on numerous occasions. What impressed me most though was I actually mailed Mr. Moock with a question; not only did he reply he was genuinely interested... This is money well spent and I can't wait for his Def Guide to AS2!

Mr. A. White

Comprehensive - but for advanced users

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 28, 2001

Verified Purchase

I bought this for it's 5 star ratings and good reviews - which are all true. However, these reviews are by people already conversant with Actionscripting. I could already do basic actionscripting (If(), TellTargets etc.) but this book didn't get me further as the code snippets don't work by themselves, the descriptions rely a good understanding of programming vocabulary (I can do VB, but this didn't really help). I later bought the 'Dummies' book, and now I can do this one.

7 people found this helpful

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