Actionscripting in Flash MX

by Phillip Kerman

A guide to ActionScripting using Flash MX. The text provides practical exercises to build problem-solving skills, foundation knowledge in programming, and debugging techniques. The web site companion... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0735712956
• ISBN13: 9780735712959
• Release Date: January 2002
• Publisher: New Riders Publishing
• Length: 720 Pages
• Weight: 2.54 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.5" x 7.4" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

Want to LEARN ActionScript - This book is for you!

This book is the shiznit! Kerman steps you through the concepts you need to know to become an excellent programmer! He uses real world examples and everyday language to simplify the learning process.He doesn't teach you everything you can do with ActionScript...but he does provide the foundation that can turn any individual into a productive ActionScripter (and maybe even a productive software engineer)!I recommend that you read this book first before you dive into any other book on ActionScripting. Every ActionScript book will make a lot more sense after you read this book!

18 Chapters of Flashing goodness!

This book covers the gamut from novice to expert, but it shows real strength in getting basic Flash users into some serious programming. Phillip Kerman starts off assuming knowledge of fundamental tools and animation, and moves right into building familiarity with ActionScript programming concepts. Throughout, Kerman walks the line between general good practices and AS specifics. All of this is done in a conversational tone, with clear explanations and very applicable examples. One gets the feeling that Mr. Kerman is in the room, helping you along your journey to truly interactive, deep Flash experiences.The first half of ActionScripting in Flash MX is devoted to getting a solid base for building projects on your own. Some highlights here are the chapters on Functions and arrays, two very misunderstood areas for new developers. Kerman's efforts in Part 1 make his book worthwhile on thier own merit. Just to make sure you are completely satisified, however, there is an entire additional workshop section that lets you roll up your sleeves and play under the hood. It is important to note that ActionScripting in Flash MX is not intended as a reference, but as a learning text. As such, Kerman's style and focus will make sure this book stays close at hand.

what i love about this book is....

That Phillip Kerman talks in plain english and explains things that most actionscript books skip. For instance, one of the first screen shots in the book explains how Flash's coordinate system has point 0,0 on the top left hand side. Why is this important? Because most coordinate systems have 0,0 at the bottom left. If you use actionscript to change the position of something on the stage and didn't know about this strange thing, your object will be in a totally different position.Okay, so that is totally minor, but it is SO important for beginners.I could keep on going on and on about this book. His explanation on invisible buttons, the different types of frames... these all are critical for the beginning flash developer.But this book isn't just for beginners. By the end of this book you are adapting components, using the new local shared object, and in a flashback to high school, learning the pythagorian theorem again to calculate distance. Don't just buy Colin Moock's Actionscript book -- use that as a reference and LEARN actionscript by buying this book.

Useful Foundation Book on ActionScripting in MX

If you'd been confused by or just been muddling through ActionScript and would like to learn how to program properly this is definitely the book for you. Phillip lays a foundation with key concepts and methods such as prototyping, separating code from data and de-bugging procedures and more then moves on to explain in plain English how to apply scripts and syntax so you can build Flash movies that go beyond just animation or hardwired features. It's obvious Phillip's taught Flash in the real world because he specifically addresses issues that often confuse new users, he doesn't fall back on the "remember when you took that programming course" mentality, instead takes the time to explain points that are unfamiliar to someone who hasn't had a great deal of experience scripting. You might not even know what you don't know until you dive into this very thorough book. Use it as a foundation to put to use the more technical reference books on ActionScripting or to dissect conceptual Flash books like Flash to the Core or Flash deConsruction so you use the examples to customize effects and features you find interesting on your own.I've done a fair amount of ActionScripting in Flash 5 and use Phillip's book as a guide to the new features of MX and to break myself of some bad habits I've picked up along the way. I share space with an experienced programmer who doesn't work with Flash on a regular basis and I've caught him using this book as a quick reference for syntax or features when the need arises to use ActionScript, so it's verbose enough to be useful to more than the intermediate user. If you're a designer who needs help with programming or someone familiar with OOP and need a guide to MX this is definitely a good choice that you'll use often.

Excellent MX ActionScript Resource!

This book does not disappoint. It's amazing. If you want to learn about MX ActionScript, this is a must-have book. It starts out easy, and builds itself up to some advanced concepts and scripting. Plenty of examples to learn from. The coverage of components is perfect... plenty of information to pour through. Phillip tackles debugging, scripted masks, adapting components, creating timers, working with external data, homemade objects, programming structures, etc. Excellent all the way through!!