ActionScript 2.0 in Flash CS3

[hezekiah-1812]

I am thinking of upgrading from Flash 8 to CS3 but I'm skittish about legacy code compatibility and would like the option -- in CS3 -- of continuing to code in AS 2.0 for the foreseeable future--until I know AS 3.0 cold and/or I'm ready to do whole new projects in it. Is this possible?

I have books on both CS 3 and AS 3 and they don't seem to address this question.

Thanks.

[Damon Edwards]

Yes, you can publish down to AS2, and even save down to Flash 8 if you feel the need.

[Newsgroup_User]

hezekiah-1812,

> I am thinking of upgrading from Flash 8 to CS3 but I'm skittish
> about legacy code compatibility and would like the option -- in
> CS3 -- of continuing to code in AS 2.0 for the foreseeable future

No worries! :)

> Is this possible?

Absolutely. Flash CS3 publishes all the way back to Flash Player 1, if
your project needs it. (That's before ActionScript altogether.) With Flash
CS3, you can code in ActionScript 1.0, 2.0, and 3.0, as well as the
specialized versions of ActionScript for devices (cell phones, etc.) called
Flash Lite.


David Stiller
Co-author, Foundation Flash CS3 for Designers
http://tinyurl.com/2k29mj
"Luck is the residue of good design."

[hezekiah-1812]

Thanks.
How exactly does it work, though?

In my Flash 8 Actionscript panel, for instance, there is a pull-down menu in the upper left that has the following options: ActionScript 1.0 & 2.0; Flash Lite 1.0 ActionScript or Flash Lite 1.1 ActionScript

In Flash CS3, is that pull-down still there, with ActionScript 3.0 the default, and with ActionScript 1.0 & 2.0 below it?

[hezekiah-1812]

Thanks, David!

I can barely write a line of 2.0 code; but I can *read* it sufficiently well enough to cannibalize and cobble other people's stuff into fairly complex files.

I recently bought Russell Chun's CS3 and Rich Shupe's Learning AS 3.

Good starting points?

Or add Colin Moock?

Or... feel free to give yourself a plug.

[ntbdy]

don't forget that there is a 30 free trial

[Newsgroup_User]

hezekiah-1812,

> Thanks, David!

Sure thing.

>> In my Flash 8 Actionscript panel, for instance, there is a pull-down
>> menu in the upper left that has the following options: ActionScript
>> 1.0 & 2.0; Flash Lite 1.0 ActionScript or Flash Lite 1.1 ActionScript

In Flash CS3, you get new entries in that list.

>> In Flash CS3, is that pull-down still there, with ActionScript 3.0 the
>> default, and with ActionScript 1.0 & 2.0 below it?

The default choice depends on what sort of FLA file you open. If you do
File > New, you have the choice to start in AS3 or AS2 (which also counts as
AS1) -- or you can change the Publish Settings at any time (File > Publish
Settings > Flash), though doing so after you've already begun coding is very
likely to lead to warning and error messages, for obvious reasons.

> I recently bought Russell Chun's CS3 and Rich Shupe's Learning AS 3.

I've heard good things about Rich Shupe's and Zevan Rosser's "Learning
ActionScript 3.0: A Beginner's Guide" (O'Reilly). Hadn't heard of Russell
Chun's book, but it has high marks on Amazon.com.

> Good starting points?

Based on Amazon reviewers, they look good! 🙂 These seem to focus more
on ActionScript 3.0 than 2.0, but if you're already comfortable (at least,
comfortable enough) in AS2, that may be just what you're after.

> Or add Colin Moock?

I value Colin Moock's work tremendously and regularly consult his books.

> Or... feel free to give yourself a plug.

"Foundation Flash CS3 for Designers" (friends of ED) has been selling
very well and has also received favorable reviews on Amazon.com. I wrote
that one last year with Tom Green, and it's been a neat experience all
around. I'm usually very active on these forums, so that might be useful if
you choose to buy that one. The past couple months have been unsually busy
for me, because I'm working on a new title for O'Reilly, but I'll be back in
the saddle very soon.


David Stiller
Contributor, How to Cheat in Flash CS3
http://tinyurl.com/2cp6na
"Luck is the residue of good design."

[hezekiah-1812]

Thanks, Man!

I gonna get your Foundation book!

[Newsgroup_User]

hezekiah-1812,

> Thanks, Man!
>
> I gonna get your Foundation book!

Thank you!


David Stiller
Adobe Community Expert
Dev blog, http://www.quip.net/blog/
"Luck is the residue of good design."

[hezekiah-1812]

Just bought it, David.
See if your Amazon ranking changed!

God Bless the Internet!

[Newsgroup_User]

hezekiah-1812,

> Just bought it, David.
> See if your Amazon ranking changed!

Thanks again for the purchase. 🙂 I sincerely appreciate it.


David Stiller
Adobe Community Expert
Dev blog, http://www.quip.net/blog/
"Luck is the residue of good design."