Introduction
Here we are going to cover Object Oriented Programming (OOP) in Flash 7 with ActionScript 2.0, a new form of ActionScript introduced in Flash MX 2004. With any luck you've already gone through the sections covering OOP with ActionScript 1.0. Much of the following will be based off of that foundation, though it is not all necessary to know in order to continue.

Whereas ActionScript 1.0 was very much like Javascript, with ActionScript 2.0, you have a language based on the ECMAScript Edition 4 specification which... well, which is also a specification for Javascript but not as the Javascript (1.x) you're familiar with today. The Edition 4 proposal is for Javascript 2 which has more in common with Java than with current 1.x versions of Javascript. So, really, ActionScript 2.0 is to Java as ActionScript 1.0 is to Javascript (and if you didn't already know, Java is quite different from Javascript).

Its important to note that ActionScript 2.0 is not necessarily a new language. Rather its a new syntax for implementing an already existing language - the language of ActionScript 1.0. In fact, ActionScript 2.0 gets compiled into ActionScript 1.0 when its added to a published swf file. It will even work in Flash Player 6 (target Flash Player 6.0.65.0 for best optimization). So ActionScript 2.0 is basically just an extension of ActionScript 1.0 that provides an alternative syntactical form for creating it. You're not even required to use it in your Flash 7 movies. You have the option to stick to ActionScript 1.0 in your publish settings if you feel more comfortable with it.

The reason ActionScript 2.0 exists is not so much to further extend the abilities of Flash so much. As already established, when published, ActionScript 2.0 code is actually converted into ActionScript 1.0. So why allow for this perversion of syntax when coding with ActionScript? Well the real reason is simply to make Flash easier to use when dealing with OOP in ActionScript. It's true. Some of you may be laughing at this thinking, "ActionScript 2.0 is absurdly confusing, and no easier than ActionScript 1.0!" And this may in fact be the case, especially to devote Flash users who primarily deal with ActionScript and ActionScript alone. However, Macromedia is really trying to push Flash further as a development platform. More and more you're hearing about Rich Internet Applications - Flash's evolution from the basic "Flash Movie." In doing this, Macromedia needs to make ActionScript more enticing to more advanced and experienced programmers... such as those familiar with Java. For those programmers, ActionScript is a lot easier to grasp and code for as its syntax is more familiar to them. And because ActionScript 2.0 is not a requirement for Flash 7 movies (or should I say "applications"?) and ActionScript 1.0 is still fully functional and basically no different than before, veteran Flash users can still maintain their familiar ActionScript coding environment if they so desire without even having to touch ActionScript 2.0. So basically, the sole purpose of ActionScript 2.0 is to provide a familiar programming environment to those familiar with its new coding style; programmers such as Java programmers.

Is ActionScript 2.0 Right for You? If you're not a serious Flash developer, you may never have the need to even touch Actionscript 2.0 with a 2.0 foot pole. There's nothing wrong with that. Don't feel as if you need to learn this new syntax just because its new and its there. I personally rarely use it, and if so, only on large projects where a lot of organization is needed. Remember, much of OOP revolves around organization. ActionScript 2.0 takes organization for ActionScript OOP to the next level. On the other hand, even if you don't ever plan on using it, it still may be a good idea to learn. You never know when you might need to use it and you may even pick up some good coding practices in the process. How hard can it be anyway? If you already know OOP well enough in ActionScript 1.0, not too hard at all, and probably even a whole lot easier if you know Java once you get past the ActionScript annoyances. It may be confusing at first if not explained correctly, but hopefully, that will not be a problem here.

In the following pages, we'll take a look at what's new with Flash 7 and ActionScript 2.0. Basically, what you'll need to know to get by with programming (specifically with OOP) in this new era of Flash.

Index

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