Adobe Flash Professional CS6 Adobe Flash Professional CS6 Classroom In A Book | Page 228

Every object should be named. An object that has a name can be referenced and
controlled with ActionScript. Buttons on the Stage are referred to as instances,
and in fact, instances and objects are synonymous.
Methods
Methods are commands that result in action. Methods are the doers of
ActionScript, and each kind of object has its own set of methods. Understanding
ActionScript involves learning the methods for each kind of object. For example,
two methods associated with a MovieClip object are stop() and gotoAndPlay() .
Properties
Properties describe an object. For example, the properties of a movie clip include
its height and width, x and y coordinates, and horizontal and vertical scale. Many
properties can be changed, whereas other properties can only be “read,” meaning
they simply describe an object.
Using proper scripting syntax
If you’re unfamiliar with program code or scripting, you may find ActionScript
code challenging to decipher. Once you understand the basic syntax, which is the
grammar and punctuation of the language, you’ll find it easier to follow a script.
• The semicolon at the end of the line tells ActionScript that it has reached the
end of the code line.
• As in English, every open parenthesis must have a corresponding close
parenthesis, and the same is true for brackets and curly brackets. If you open
something, you must close it. Very often, the curly brackets in ActionScript
code will be separated on different lines. This makes it easier to read what’s
inside the curly brackets.
• The dot operator (.) provides a way to access the properties and methods of an
object. Type the instance name, followed by a dot, and then the name of the
property or method. Think of the dot as a way to separate objects, methods,
and properties.
• Whenever you’re entering a string, use quotation marks.
• You can add comments to remind you or others of what you are accomplishing
with different parts of the script. To add a comment for a single line, start
it with two slashes ( // ). To type a multiline comment, start it with /* and
end it with */ . Comments are ignored by Flash and won’t affect your code at all.
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