What is loadVariablesNum?

[jammer2000]

I've been going through one of the Flash tutorials (one that builds a dynamic menu) and I have a few questions I was hoping someone could answer.

1. What is the function loadVariablesNum?
I've tried looking it in the help, but the closest I get is loadVariables? (I've looked in both Flash 5 and 4 help, and can't find anything). And, how does it differ from loadVariables?

2. What does getProperty("", _y) do? (Also, similarly with setProperty("", _y)).
I've looked at the help files and no mention is made of what happens if you have the first arguement as "".

3. Why do you have to use ../:x in the code below?
(I've shortened the code just to show as an example.)
(I think I've figured out why, but would like to have it confrimed.)

x = 1;
while (Number(x)<=Number(/:menu_count))
{
duplicateMovieClip ("menu_template", "item_" add x, x);
tellTarget ("item_" add x)
{
menu_text = eval("/:menu_text_" add ../:x);
}
}


ANY help would be greeeeatly appreciated.

Thanks.


Jam

[Magister Arenei]

jammer2000,

Question (1)
It will be much better if you read this from the Flash
help. Bring up help and search using "Number (function)"
That should explain it better than I can.
Question (2)
getProperty("", _y) or setProperty("", _y)
the "" is blank when you are getting or setting the property
of the mc it is being used in. It gets or sets its own property.
Question (3)
The "../:x" is targeting a variable called "x" which
is one level above the mc the script is in. In the case
of the script you ask about. The "../:x" is being targeted
from within a telltarget of mc "item_" add x that is a
duplicate of "menu_template".

Hope this helps. But the last one probably added confusion!!
MA

[jammer2000]

Magister

Thanks for the reply, much appreciated.
I'm still a bit confused though. : (

1. I've tried looking for the function - and it doesn't exist? You can't select it as a function from anywhere? And, I've already tried looking up number functions - no joy.

2. Forgive my ignorance, but what is mc?
I've actually seen these two letters used within functions in the form of "...&mc...". I just assumed mc was a variable declared that was being used? Obviously from what you say and from what I've seen this isn't the case.

Let me know if you can answer the above futher two queries.

Thanks.


Jam

[mgb]

mc = movie clip. A movie clip is a small movie inside the main movie. It has it's own timeline and runs indepndantly of the main timeline. When you make a new symbol you are given the choice: graphic, button or mc.

[Magister Arenei]

jammer2000,

MPG answered the mc question but that leaves one more.

When you bring up help, select Action Script dictionary
then the N-R catagory and you should then see Number (function)
select that one and it should explain "number"

And not to worry, when any of us started we had lots of questions.
You will get there sooner than you think.

MA

[jammer2000]

Thanks for that. I've had a look at the help file.
But... I still don't see what that has to do with the function loadVariablesNum?

I can't actually see this function mentioned anywhere?
I think I've figured out what it does. But, I still wouldn't mind reading up on it.

If you can tell me where I can read up on it, let me know.

Thanks. : )


Jam