Object-Oriented ActionScript 3.0

by Peter Elst, Sas Jacobs

Object-oriented programming (OOP) is something that is usually considered a black art for hardcore programmers, not a topic of conversation for Flash developers. However, when adobe introduced ActionScript 3.0 to the mix, it changed everything. ActionScript 3.0 is much more powerful than previous versions, allowing Flash developers to produce robust object-oriented applications. But with that power comes great responsibility--OOP is now a requirement, rather than optional, and there are new things to learn.



This book, based on the ever-popular Object-Oriented ActionScript for Flash 8, provides you all you need to delve into the world of OOP with confidence, whether you are using the Flash IDE, Flex builder, or even command-line tools for your development work.



First, you are taken gently through all the principles of OOP that you need to know, and then given a guide to designing and implementing applications in ActionScript 3.0. Next, we step up a gear, showing you the Flex builder development environment and teaching about creating reusable, extensible component frameworks, manager classes, animation and effects classes, UI widgets, and more. lastly, we look at some more advanced topics such as communication between Flash and the browser and Web services. case studies are included that apply the knowledge presented, giving you real-world projects to learn from and adapt for use in your own work.



Mastering object-oriented programming is essential for modern Flash development, and Object-Oriented ActionScript 3.0 is the only guide you'll need.

664 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 23, 2007

Reviews

[Jason · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book starts out walking the reader through some of the basics of object oriented development. Right around Chapter 8 or 9, the primary author stops breaking things down as simply - with the result that anything that was missed in the earlier chapters (or was simply unknown) made it harder to proceed as effectively. It is written with the feel that this continues in this manner throughout the book.

Good examples, some degree of depth, and nice coverage of a variety of areas. I don't have a sense that this book is intended for one audience or one range of expertise - if you're a new programmer, this should not be your ONLY book, but if you're only new to ActionScript 3.0 or have never tried applying OO to scripting, this seems to be a powerful starter book. I believe the target audience is an I.T. professional who hasn't had a lot of scripting experience or perhaps limited recent coding experience.

[Andrew · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very promising book. Hope to read it all eventually.

[Hellofutureboss · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book. If you want to enter a new level of programing, this is the book I recommend. Object Oriented Programing is the way to go.

[Chris · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought the book was great! Really has helped me in understanding application flow and basic OOP concepts. Definitely a book I would recommend to anyone interested in the Flash platform.