Object-Oriented ActionScript 3.0

Features

• Cover Type: Paperback with 640 pages
• Published by: friends of ED July 23, 2007
• Written in: English
• ISBN 10 Number: 1590598458
• ISBN 13 Number: 978-1590598450
• Book Dimensions: 8.8 x 7.5 x 1.2 inches
• Weighs: 2.3 pounds

Product Description

• Learn object-oriented programming in actionscript 3.0
• Covers both the Flash and Flex environments
• Includes design patterns, custom frameworks, data binding, and other crucial techniques

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.

But never fear—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.

In this book you'll learn:

• the essential principles of object-oriented programming, including inheritance, encapsulation, polymorphism, and more
• Valuable lessons on actionscript 3.0 project planning and programming, including design patterns and source control
• How to create your own extensible, reusable application framework using OOP best practices
• Advanced data integration techniques such as Web services and communication between Flash and the browser Object-Oriented ActionScript 3.0

Summary of Contents

• PART ONE: OOP AND ACTIONSCRIPT
  • Chapter 1: Introduction to OOP
  • Chapter 2: Programming Concepts
  • Chapter 3: ActionScript 3.0 Programming
• PART TWO: FLASH OOP GUIDELINES
  • Chapter 4: Planning
  • Chapter 5: Project Workflow
  • Chapter 6: Best Practices
  • Chapter 7: Working with Flex 2
• PART THREE: CORE OOP CONCEPTS
  • Chapter 8: Encapsulation
  • Chapter 9: Classes
  • Chapter 10: Inheritance
  • Chapter 11: Polymorphism
  • Chapter 12: Interfaces
  • Chapter 13: Design Patterns
  • Chapter 14: Case Study: An OOP Media Player
• PART FOUR: BUILDING AND EXTENDING DYNAMIC FRAMEWORKS
  • Chapter 15: Manager Classes
  • Chapter 16: UI Widgets
  • Chapter 17: OOP Animation and Effects
• PART FIVE: DATA INTEGRATION
  • Chapter 18: Exchanging Data Between Components
  • Chapter 19: Communication Between Flash and the Browser
  • Chapter 20: Server Communication (XML and Web Services)
  • Chapter 21: Case Study: Slideshow Engine

About The Author
After studying theatre in London, then working for several years as an actor in the US, Todd was introduced to Flash in 2000 and was quickly taken by how it allowed for both stunning creativity and programmatic logic application&emdash;a truly left-brain, right brain approach to production&emdash;and has not looked back. He now freelances as a Flash developer in New York City, creating both silly animations and utilitarian applications. His personal work and experimentation can be found at his website, www.27Bobs.com.

Peter is a certified Flash MX 2004 developer, Team Macromedia volunteer for Flash and runs his own business named MindStudio, which mainly does multimedia development and consultancy.

Introduced to Macromedia Flash in late 1996, he started of doing interactive advertisement campaigns for one of Europe's largest online advertisement agencies. When Macromedia released its Generator software his interest moved more towards the backend side of things, fascinated by Flash and database integration &emdash; what many considered some very innovative technology at that time.

After attending the FlashForward 2001 conference in Amsterdam, Peter was so inspired that he decided to make the switch from HTML to full-fledged multimedia development, a decision he hasn't regretted since.


Sas is a Web developer who loves working with Flash. She set up her business Anything Is Possible in 1994, working in the areas of web development, IT training and technical writing. The business works with large and small clients building web applications with ASP.NET, Flash, XML and databases.
Sas has also spoken at conferences such as Flash Forward, MXDU and FlashKit on topics relating to XML and dynamic content in Flash. In her spare time, Sas is passionate about travelling, photography and enjoying life. One of her most fervent wishes is that Flash will take over the Web!

Reader Reviews
I've been eagerly reading as much as I can to dive into AS 3.0. I know AS 2.0 sufficiently well, but never got into the OOP side of things. After reading some design patterns books, and Essential Actionscript 3.0 (must have) I definitely understood the concepts of OOP, which was great. But then I'd sit down and try to code some kind of small app, and I felt like I knew nothing. I like this book because it has tons and tons of code samples that I can easily read through and understand as I go, plus case studies to work on. That helps me get over that conceptual hump and actually get things done. I really like Friends of Ed books. Anytime I feel stuck with learning a topic, it seems like I can turn to one of their books and cruise through it. I read this on the train every day - for some reason, you can just read these as you would a novel (well, sort of). If you want to get a good grasp on OOP (and you really should if you're looking to learn AS 3.0) I would definitely pick this up as well as Essential Actionscript 3.0. You'll be good to go.