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...but isnt pretty much all actionscript OOP? if i say:Quote:
Originally posted by aversion
AS2 isn't that big of a deal richblend, there will be some minor syntax changes but most of the new code has to do with OOP
myMoviClip.gotoAndPlay(10);
Have i not just utilised an object?
From what I've read, it seems that AS1 syntax works in AS2, it is just more strongly typed (ie. you can't get away with mixed case in variable references).Quote:
Originally posted by aversion
AS2 isn't that big of a deal richblend, there will be some minor syntax changes but most of the new code has to do with OOP, if you don't want to get involved with that there won't be much to adapt to and you can use the syntax across a range of programming languages that comply with the same new standard, including javascript.
Other than that, the new stuff seems to be along those lines - improved OOP and datatyping, some new methods and functions (and of course, the new components made special for AS2 - though I do have to question the logic behind trying to create yet another "look and feel" [halo] for their components).
Of course, I also have doubts that so-called "serious" developers will warm at all to Flash just because Macromedia seems to think that they will - there'll be a few champions from the community, maybe even a few converts from traditional developers. But I think old-school programmers will want something with more power, not have to build on top of the Flash player, no matter how many stock tickers Macromedia shows off. ;)
AS2 extends AS1 giving it some extra language constructs. It shouldn't mead old code wont' work all of a sudden. The potential problems are if there is no option to turn OFF the much better 'strict' mode that avoids some of the coding mistake you can get from leaving out ';' at ends of lines and sloppy programming like getting case wrong for names. Much existing code would fail in strict mode, as many coders can be lazy if there isn't a compiler/ide telling them what they've done wrong.Quote:
Originally posted by richblend
this whole as2 thing really, really, really pisses me off. why do we need it? i never came across any limitations with as1. do we really need to turn flash into a complete programming language? it seems to alienate everyone except experienced programmers. ive worked hard recently, to try and migrate from the teenager-fiddling-in-my-bedroom phase by properly learning PHP, javascript and actionscript. now ive got to start again, and of course spend more money on books, and find all those useful tutorials completely redundant.
One thing, relating to what CNO just brought up, is that flash is a great tool for designing complex application front-ends that collect and manipulate data but ultimately rely on server-side scripts to process... how far will macromedia go with flash, and how far is it wise to go?
I think they should be careful about how they position flash. I create applications with flash and welcome the advances but at the same time the lines are blurring and it's a crucial time for flash, is flash going to be a competitor for java in the future, using server-side actionscript, pushing cold fusion aside?
you have used an object but it's debatable that you've used Object Oriented Programming, which typically involves creating custom objects not just utilising the ones MM has built into flash.Quote:
Originally posted by richblend
...but isnt pretty much all actionscript OOP? if i say:
myMoviClip.gotoAndPlay(10);
Have i not just utilised an object?
I remember hating Flash 5 and how it destroyed 4's interface.
ActionScript was the only thing I ever used 5 for. If I didn't
have too I did it in all in 4. MX kinda fixed some of that
and I also realized I had to keep up.
What lines I really see blurring is those between Flash and Director.
If MX2004 is successful for Flash then it would signal even
bigger trouble for Director. It gets harder to tell the two
apart with each new version.
I wish MM would build swf writing routines into AS in the
future. Being able to make apps that can save to swf format
would open ALOT of doors to new products.
Chris
First flash 7 site.
http://www.baconskateboards.com
I wonder how they convinced Macromedia to allow them to use the beta to make a site. Man that video is SWEET. Im excited!
-Mike
Maybe they didn't ;)Quote:
Originally posted by mikecoutermarsh
I wonder how they convinced Macromedia to allow them to use the beta to make a site. Man that video is SWEET. Im excited!
it pisses me off that I have to restart my win2000pro box to complete install of flashplayer7 :(
also: the fact that MM didn't consult the community while making MX2004, AND the fact that it doesn't cater much for designers both pee me off -
I also hope that AS1 won't dissapear down the forgotten tube, coz if I wanna stick to using it, I wanna make sure it's supported still...
okay, off to restart my pc - DANG!
MikeP
Ohh and another thing, - what if my PC dies and I have to re-install mx2004 - will I need to get another licence, or spend long time on an international call trying to convince MM that my PC died ??
mp
there are always selected developers who make sites with beta products, they were probably asked.Quote:
Originally posted by mikecoutermarsh
First flash 7 site.
http://www.baconskateboards.com
I wonder how they convinced Macromedia to allow them to use the beta to make a site. Man that video is SWEET. Im excited!
funnily enough all that site does for me is go through the preloader, load a black and white shot of a swimming pool then stall. My player doesn't tell me it needs updating, does it fail for anyone else?
MM does care for the community, as long as that commuity is a clique of people who use blogs and not a large community dedicated to flash like FK or WH...Quote:
Originally posted by mikepol
the fact that MM didn't consult the community while making MX2004, AND the fact that it doesn't cater much for designers both pee me off -
I think jacob neilsen is doing customer relations for MM and these minimalistic blog sites are the only ones he can bring himself to use, afterall you can't expect jacob to read something like flashkit, it's in colour for godsake!!
:rolleyes:
roflQuote:
Originally posted by aversion
I think jacob neilsen is doing customer relations for MM and these minimalistic blog sites are the only ones he can bring himself to use, afterall you can't expect jacob to read something like flashkit, it's in colour for godsake!!
there was a time when Mike Chambers used to post here, that might have been a good move to disperse some of the fears and hostility towards this release
so, has anybody pre-ordered a copy?
- n.
It says to me:Quote:
Originally posted by aversion
funnily enough all that site does for me is go through the preloader, load a black and white shot of a swimming pool then stall. My player doesn't tell me it needs updating, does it fail for anyone else?
"You don't have the latest version of Macromedia Flash Player."
IE, Win2K.
Just got this off of Colin Moock's mailing list, hope it sheds some light.
Quote:
even if you're working in actionscript 2.0:
1) the language reference of asdg2 is still 99% accurate, and still provides
complete coverage of the core language as it exists in Flash Player 6. of
course, if you want to use a specific Flash Player 7-only class, you'll have
to consult Macromedia's help for the documentation.
2) all non-object-oriented aspects of the language have not changed, so
asdg2's coverage of non-object-oriented topics (such as variables, loops,
conditionals, operators, movie clips, etc) is still accurate and will
continue to be useful.
Code:/**
* a taste of actionscript 2.0
*/
i thought i'd whip up a quick'n'dirty code sample to show you all what as2
feels like. things to note:
-strict typing. datatypes are specified after a colon (e.g.,
propName:datatype = value)..unlike java, which specifies types first (e.g.,
datatype propname = value)
-automatic 'this' resolution. you don't have to explicitly use 'this' to
refer to instance and class properties
-a REAL class statement!!!
-access control modifiers (public, private, but no protected)
-use "var" in a class to create properties
-it all compiles down to AS1 (yes, prototype) so you can run it in flash
player 6
-class code must appear in an external .as file, not on a frame, button or
clip
enjoy! lots more to come!
/**
* A sample ActionScript 2.0 class.
*/
class Box {
// Box dimensions.
private var width:Number;
private var height:Number;
// Movie clip that will contain visual
// representation of the box.
private var container_mc:MovieClip;
/**
* Constructor.
*/
public function Box (w:Number, h:Number,
x:Number, y:Number,
target:MovieClip, depth:Number) {
// Create the container clip that will hold Box visuals.
container_mc = target.createEmptyMovieClip("boxcontainer" + depth,
depth);
// Initialize size.
setWidth(w);
setHeight(h);
// Initialize position.
setX(x);
setY(y);
}
/**
* Accessor to retrieve width.
*/
public function getWidth ():Number {
return width;
}
/**
* Accessor to assign width. This version both assigns the new width
property
* value and redraws the box based on the new width.
*/
public function setWidth (w:Number):Void {
width = w;
draw();
}
/**
* Accessor to retrieve height.
*/
public function getHeight ():Number {
return height;
}
/**
* Accessor to assign height. This version both assigns the new height
property
* value and redraws the box based on the new height.
*/
public function setHeight (h:Number):Void {
height = h;
draw();
}
/**
* Accessor to retrieve x. For convenience, the x and y coordinates
* are stored directly on the container movie clip. If numeric accuracy
* were a concern, we'd store x as a Box property separately so
* that it wouldn't be rounded by the MovieClip class.
*/
public function getX ():Number {
return container_mc._x;
}
/**
* Accessor to assign x.
*/
public function setX (x:Number):Void {
container_mc._x = x;
}
/**
* Accessor to retrieve y.
*/
public function getY ():Number {
return container_mc._y;
}
/**
* Accessor to assign y.
*/
public function setY (y:Number):Void {
container_mc._y = y;
}
/**
* Displays the Box instance on screen. Uses the MovieClip drawing methods
to
* draw lines in container_mc. For more information, see
* ActionScript for Flash MX: The Definitive Guide.
*/
public function draw ():Void {
// Clear the previous box rendering.
container_mc.clear();
// Use a 1 point black line.
container_mc.lineStyle(1, 0x000000);
// Position the drawing pen.
container_mc.moveTo(0, 0);
// Start a white fill.
container_mc.beginFill(0xFFFFFF, 100);
// Draw the border of the box.
container_mc.lineTo(width, 0);
container_mc.lineTo(width, height);
container_mc.lineTo(0, height);
container_mc.lineTo(0, 0);
// Formally stop filling the shape.
container_mc.endFill();
}
}
Cool. Looks very good. A couple things are odd like
the function return types following the function prototype name.
I take it :Void is optional if nothing is to be returned?
Kinda goes against the grain by listing types after the variable
name but I can surely live with that.
Either way leaps and bounds better than as1.
Chris
AS2 might be more standards compliant, but wouldn't it be nice to see some new native methods (those being faster than custom methods)?
Good comments on one of the blogs:
Quote:
-No clone method for objects (only xml.clodeNode) !!!!
-No new array method ( clean, exist, unique, shuffle, indexOf, lastIndexOf, max, min, sum, average, ... )
-No new string method ( replace, trim, count, reverse, isEmail, ...)
-No new math method ( dist, roundDec, isNear, isInt, isOdd, isEven, ...)
-No new mouse method ( dblClic, isOutsideSWF, ... )
All we need each days, nothing new ! Copy-n-Paste your prototype again and again... Flash MX 2006 ?
Those are some of the features I was hoping for :(Quote:
No new mouse method ( dblClic, isOutsideSWF, ... )
yah, I would love to see some of those methods, especially for the arrays, included in flash, something like doubleclick should be basic to any application development environment if they want to take it seriously.Quote:
Originally posted by CNO
AS2 might be more standards compliant, but wouldn't it be nice to see some new native methods (those being faster than custom methods)?
-No clone method for objects (only xml.clodeNode) !!!!
-No new array method ( clean, exist, unique, shuffle, indexOf, lastIndexOf, max, min, sum, average, ... )
-No new string method ( replace, trim, count, reverse, isEmail, ...)
-No new math method ( dist, roundDec, isNear, isInt, isOdd, isEven, ...)
-No new mouse method ( dblClic, isOutsideSWF, ... )
all of these things that people create 'hacks' and workarounds for, surely they should have been among the things they considered adding to the app so we wouldn't have to keep using second hand methods...
$10 says having 2 different editions, regular and professional, doesn't last past the next 2 versions after this.
That's what; six years... How long did UltraDev last?Quote:
Originally posted by PAlexC
$10 says having 2 different editions, regular and professional, doesn't last past the next 2 versions after this.
$10 says in six years Flash Professional = Flash + Director.
The whole release is really impatient, it's all centered around
the flash pro, and the others were just dragged along because
MM only releases the whole MX suite now, like office or
something.
I wanna try the pro, but I don't think you'll see many real .NET
or JAVA developers paying much attention to it.
They just don't get the whole flash thing, I work with'em, I know.
They think it's cool when I show them things, but aren't
compelled to learn another tool/language that isn't a regular
development language, and not one that's so company/plugin
dependent.
$10 says in six years Flash Professional = Flash + Director.
I don't think it will take that long. As good as Director is
I don't see it as a front runner in web development or even
making a move in that direction. Flash however does continue
to offer and build on offline functionality.
I also agree the 'Pro' version will be Flash.
Casual users won't be able to stick with it due to the
price increase.
Chris