WHO ELSE IS SOLD ON AS 2.0?

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 4 2003 @ 12:17 PM

Lately, I've been taking some time to read a handful of articles related to migrating from Flash MX to Flash MX 2004 (F04), and adopting AS 2.0 as the new standard for Flash development. I'm yet to explore and read some more, but with the information at hand, and what I'm expecting from 2004, I think I soon will be taking my first steps toward AS 2.0

If you read my fairly recent review of the PHP Cookbook, you already know that it's not in my nature to run and learn new skills related to programming, unless it is critical to the completion of a project (or to keep my job). As a matter of fact, I think I'm a little behind many of my developer friends, regarding advanced uses of ActionScript. But, I've managed to get the work done every time so far, and still need to unlock some of the secrets of AS 1.0, so why do I need to learn ActionScript 2.0?

Although everything has been prepared for a smooth transition between ActionScript versions (read Migrating from Flash MX to Flash MX 2004 at Macromedia DevNet for some info on this), it seems like using OOP with AS 1.0 is officially deprecated, according the LiveDoc brought to my attention by a blog post from Darron Schall, which will force developers to take on AS 2.0 sooner or later. Well, maybe later for most.

Too bad all this comes when I'm just starting to re-read Branden and Samuel's OOP book: the first time I browse through those pages it was just too soon for me. Anyway, I think I will be able to finish it before getting my hand on the upcoming book by a Colin Moock, ActionScript 2.0 Essentials: Object-Oriented Development with ActionScript 2.0

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CHRISTOPHER WIGGINTON

DECEMBER 4 2003 @ 12:28 PM

I'll be migrating. I'm sure it will be difficult at first, as it is everytime they introduce a change, but will save a lot of time once you get the hang of it. Learning the then new MX event model made coding so much easier. I cringe everytime I have to go back and do a Flash 5 site.

I'll probably do some reading and help people in the forums to get a handle on AS2. I have found the forums to be a great way for me to learn, both helping and being helped. Once I get a stronger grasp on it then I'll try to bring it into production.

G.WYGONIK

DECEMBER 4 2003 @ 12:42 PM

i've been using, and loving, AS2 since we got it back in October - for new projects. i'm still using AS1 (MX actually) for existing code, until i can get a chance to do the migration.

i've already been able to much more than i had before, mostly because i come from a java background and the whole prototype stuff in AS1 bugged me.

fwiw
g.

JESTERXL

DECEMBER 4 2003 @ 01:16 PM

The learning curve for Flash 2004 isn't that bad; it's only bad if you take everything on at once (JSAPI, AS2, new Framework, new component methods).

I hated AS2 at first, now I love it. I even argued with Darron Schall about how it's more typing. Now, my fingers don't even know the difference.

Interestingly, though, it's not really that different for smaller projects as a lot of the "style" of coding is still AS... meaning there is no version attached to it as some of the stuff. When you start developing appz, at least for me, I find my _root timeline is the same as it's always been... with a few strict datatypings thrown in which of course I don't noticed.

It took me, like everything, 2 weeks to feel comfortable in. I think the new component set helped me through my frurstation because I like Halo and the new components (how they work).

I've done jack really with the new framework, but can still code in AS2. Haven't created my own components hardcore yet, but haven't needed since most controls I've needed are already there.

It's not as a big of deal as everyone makes it out to be... which isn't a dissappointment, it's just funny when you laugh at yourself 4 weeks later going, "What was all the hub-bub, bub?".

JESTERXL

DECEMBER 4 2003 @ 01:19 PM

Oh yeah... the fact that you can export to Flash 6 for Central et. al. just rocks the house, too.

DARRON

DECEMBER 4 2003 @ 01:23 PM

As you may have guess, I've been a big fan of AS2 ever since I first started playing with it. It's similarities to java has really made the transition eay for me.

There are plenty of resources available to help make the switch, and more and more are being produced. Like Jesse said (above), it's not really that big of a deal. You can actually mix-and-match AS2 and AS1 for the most part in your applications until you get more comfortable with using just AS2.

If you get a chance to make it to MXDU in '04, I'll be speaking on OOP with AS2 and showing you how easy AS2 is to work with.

OSCAR TRELLES

DECEMBER 4 2003 @ 01:28 PM

Well, coming from a Java background I'm sure you find AS 2.0 delightful, Greg :)

I, however, find it a little frightening. The best solution for that is just dive into it, and that's what I've decided to do, though I just hope F04 stops bugging me every once and then.

I hear you Jester, AS 2.0 compiling down to 1.0 is great, not only for Central, but to target FP6 web users... that's where we are now, right?

OSCAR TRELLES

DECEMBER 4 2003 @ 01:31 PM

That's great Darron, I'll try and make it to your preso. I just hope we're not speaking at the same time :)

JESTERXL

DECEMBER 4 2003 @ 01:34 PM

Yeah, we've been there which is great. We can now utilize the new components & some of the framework to be used with Central (Halo feel) and the component's archetecture as well as some of AS2's feel and STILL target 6. Now, granted, we're talking sub-verions and that's still a new player install for those behind a firewall or with no admin rights, but I'd put money 6 works better than 7, and I can gurantee my homeies, fellow Flash devs, can see what i make vs. 7. I would LOVE to have 7, granted, for the changes in text fields... but, I like the components and don't really need all the new changes. I don't think anything cool will happen to the Flash 7 player till 8's released, but then again, the updater IS there, so maybe when they are finished with all the IDE's, the player will be changed to compile to real classes. They are giving people like you and I time to learn this stuff, and right when we bitch hardcore that it doesn't real do anything at runtime (private & public for example), BOOM, they release an update that enforces that stuff and makes our code even faster.

A boy can dream, can't he!?

JESTERXL

DECEMBER 4 2003 @ 01:35 PM

For real dude... it's not scary. The Framework, THAT is scary.

JESTERXL

DECEMBER 4 2003 @ 01:36 PM

Yo, that shiot happened to me @ MXDU 2003... your doomed to miss some cool person's presentation. My suggestion is to beg Geof, and he may let your order be moved; key is to bitch early!

OSCAR TRELLES

DECEMBER 4 2003 @ 01:43 PM

LOL

DOMINICK

DECEMBER 4 2003 @ 02:08 PM

AS 2 had me at hello!

JESTERXL

DECEMBER 4 2003 @ 02:09 PM

Oh snap, Renee Zellwigger (sp?).

"Show me the money!"

BEMBINO

DECEMBER 4 2003 @ 02:13 PM

LOL...Jerry McGuire. :)

PELDI

DECEMBER 4 2003 @ 02:21 PM

AS2 is to AS1 like Broadband is to Modem: there's no going back.

I've been using it for a while, with a team of developers. It's absolutely great. The readability of the code alone is worth the switch.

All of a sudden it's like coding in a real IDE again! If you pass the compile step, your code is probably going to work! That's unheard of with AS1! ;)

It took a while to settle on a class structure that I like, but now that I have one (http://www.peldi.com/blog/000047.html) my development time has been cut by maybe 25%.

I'm never going back.

Oh, and the best part is that your application can be both AS1 and AS2 together. Here's my policy: any new file is AS2. If I have small changes to make to an AS1 file, I just make them. If the changes are big, I'll port the file to AS2, on a per-needed basis.

MOJOMAN

DECEMBER 4 2003 @ 03:05 PM

I'm all about it, I just started into the magical word of flash before mx pro came out, being a hardcore php/mysql programmer I kinda hate the stateless nature of html, flash has changed all that (I've seen the light...), I find as1 is really nice for 'knocking things together' or a simple site where it's not going to do a heck of a lot, but as2 is where it's at for ria work. creating true classes of objects helps no end. but the v2 component framework - cue steep learning curve foreboding music - I can honestly say an app I built in mx pro would have taken me 30% less time in good ole clunky html.. but then a GIS system I'm working on suits AS2 like nothing on earth !.. I'll be picking my opponents carefully in future :)

It's a Very Good Thing that AS2 is here :)

Rowan

SCOTT BARNES

DECEMBER 4 2003 @ 06:51 PM

I moved straight to AS 2.0 the moment i got it, and haven't look back since.

I've no problem with the overall new features per say, that and central hooks, what i have an issue is with the complexity of the overall v2 framework. Its scarey.

As for the code syntaxing, yeah its different to the AS1.0 days, things like Case sensitivity is now in place (you could get away with it in AS 1.0) there is of course strict typing (declaring class variables upfront etc - you can bypass this by making the class dynamic).

One of the key features for me, is simply put that you don't have to make sure every single class is in the Library attached inside a movieclip - you can a make a call straight to the package/class instead of attachMovie crap!

One thing i've found annoying though is converting AS1.0 components to AS2.0 - man thats painful.

BEMBINO

DECEMBER 4 2003 @ 07:12 PM

What are people referring to when they say the "framework?"

JESTERXL

DECEMBER 4 2003 @ 07:45 PM

Like the UIObject and UIComponent; the base classes for components. In MX, you had the FUIComponent Framework, which consisted of the FUIComponent as the base class, and then FSelectableList class, FSelectableItem, all the way up to the Listbox and Scrollbar dudes. That "framework" of using click handlers, using invalidate, and addListener formed the cruch of the MX framework.

2k4's is just... I don't know, it's hard to know where to start. I mean, you would think UIObject and UIComponent... but... just open one of those files, and you'll see what i mean about how each one like import's 50 other ones, and you then get curious, open that one, and just like...get scared, and then run to the reference panel. Then, you see all the functions in the UIObject and UIComponent that are "assumed" to be in other classes (which I still think they should have their own definitions.

Like, the "change" event (via the addEventListener concept, new to the 2k4 framework) is in UIComponent or something. I didn't know this, but the ListBox I believe has this event. It wasn't defined but works. Now, if you knew the framework, you'd know that List extends UIComponent or whatever, and then you'd know he gets the change event... but for learning, that's just brutal.

At any rate, UIObject does data stuff and UIComponent does focus and extends movie clip (wrapper class pretty much), and then on up the chizz-ain.

Take all of that with a grain of salt... I'm still learning.

BEMBINO

DECEMBER 4 2003 @ 08:02 PM

Ok. I see. Thx! :)

SCOTT M BARNES

DECEMBER 7 2003 @ 07:36 PM

Nice work JXL! :D Couldn't of said it better myself, its just too hard to work with at times (even if you know it off by heart which i stupidly do).

JENS LOEFFLER

DECEMBER 9 2003 @ 04:13 PM

I've worked a little bit with AS 2.0 and I really like it. Everything seems to be more organized, and it'll definitly help to build bigger applications.
They only bad side is, that you need a new flash 6 player. Compatibility to ALL Flash 6 versions would have been great, but it's just a matter of time. Nevertheless, designers, it's time to learn oop if you want to stay up to date.

OSCAR TRELLES

DECEMBER 10 2003 @ 12:44 PM

Is that a threat? :) j/k

Well, I think people that make a living as visual artists and nothing else, can just remain happy with the Flash they are familiar with.

As for us, hybrid entities, eager to stand at the edge of what Flash is becoming, learning to deal with objects and AS2 is just a matter of time...