why does everyone _root. everything?

[helpmeplz]

doesnt:

stop();

work just as well as:

_root.stop();

or does the _root. make it faster?

[UnknownGuy]

It depends where the code is run, if you are in a method of a class, stop() controls the instance that is calling the method, _root would be needed to control the main timeline. You'll notice though that a lot of people don't like using _root, because _root can change if you import the game .swf into a container .swf, the _root becomes the containers .swf.

There is a way around it, which I hadn't heard about until awhile ago which is _lockroot.

For anyone interested here is a link to an article about it. It is pretty nifty.

http://www.flashinsider.com/2005/08/...-_rooted-code/

Hope that clears things up.

Edit: Another way of thinking about it is stop() is the same as writing this.stop(), so if you are in the main timeline this=_root, so _root.stop()=stop(). When this changes from being called by a method or inside a clip, then you have to use _root, or a path to root like _r to access it.

[helpmeplz]

thx for the info and i get it too

[Markp.com]

Yup, I try to avoid _root. _parent. works just as well, may be a little slower though

[Squize]

Slightly off on a tangent but one thing which a lot of people miss and can lead to pulling your hair out errors is gotoAndStop/Play.

If your using that on a mc ( ie, within your enterFrame / load code ) always put this. infront of it ( If you want to alter the frame of the mc itself that is ).

It stops the local / global method conflict.

Squize.

[Gloo pot]

Huh?

I just figured anything with _root. befor it affects to stuff on the main timeline and without it it affect the MC wich the code is in??

EG : _root.gotoAndPlay(2); play frame 2 in your main timline and
gotoAndPlay(4); playes frame 4 in your MC

Am i mistaken?

[Squize]

Not really, but Flash being the little minx that it is can get mixed up sometimes, so just get in the habit of adding this. when doing it on a mc.

Squize.