Learning ActionScript 3.0: A Beginner's Guide

Learning ActionScript 3.0: A Beginner's Guide
by Rich Shupe, Zevan Rosser

Learning ActionScript 3.0: A Beginner's Guide
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Book Summary Information

Author: Rich Shupe, Zevan Rosser
Edition: Paperback
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published)
Published: 2008-01-04
ISBN: 059652787X
Number of pages: 384
Publisher: O'Reilly/Adobe Developer Library

Book Reviews of Learning ActionScript 3.0: A Beginner's Guide

Book Review: Apparently not for everyone, but this beginner loves it
Summary: 5 Stars

Note: I bought the second edition of this book so my comments aren't necessarily relevant to the original edition.

As a graphic designer and a raw newcomer to both Flash and ActionScript, I enthusiastically give this book my highest recommendation. I found the writing clear, simple, on point and even a pleasure to read most of the time (and I hate reading software how-to books in general). The chapters are organized to be taken in order, going from the background through the basics to some pretty advanced concepts in a steady, measured process that in due time ends up covering most of the potential uses of ActionScript in Flash. For me, the best approach was to treat this exactly like learning a new language. Once I got used to a few basic rules of syntax and developed some grasp of the vocabulary, things got a whole lot easier. Breaking down the code examples given in the book became analogous to the conversational exercises you go through when learning, say, Italian or French.

I read many of the reviews here and in response I'll say this is not a 1-2-3 step by step recipe book. Tackling something like this should involve spending time figuring things out, but apparently not everyone sees it that way. As I said, I'm a total beginner (and a right-brain type who isn't well suited to the type of thinking process that comes naturally to programmers) and I managed to get through it without much difficulty. I enjoyed pushing myself to try things that went beyond the exercises (the authors repeatedly encourage this throughout the book). Before long I began scripting new examples of my own. I did find a small mistake in one code example, but it took me all of about 20 seconds to identify the problem and fix it. One reader mentioned the cover coming off the paperback. That's true, I had the same problem with my copy and had to use a hot glue gun to reattach it.

This book will stay on my shelf as a ready reference as I continue to explore ActionScript and Flash. When I was deciding which book to buy I initially hesitated on this one because I thought the price was high and I wasn't sure I'd be able to understand it. Not to worry. The material in the book itself, the accompanying web site and all the references to other sources are more than worth the price. If I had to limit myself to only one book about ActionScript 3.0, it would be this one.

Summary of Learning ActionScript 3.0: A Beginner's Guide

In this book, authors Rich Shupe and Zevan Rosser share the knowledge they've gained from their years as multimedia developers/designers and teachers. Learning ActionScript 3.0 gives you a solid foundation in the language of Flash and demonstrates how you can use it for practical, everyday projects.

The authors do more than just give you a collection of sample scripts. Written for those of you new to ActionScript 3.0, the book describes how ActionScript and Flash work, giving you a clear look into essential topics such as logic, event handling, displaying content, migrating legacy projects to ActionScript 3.0, classes, and much more. You will learn important techniques through hands-on exercises, and then build on those skills as chapters progress.

ActionScript 3.0 represents a significant change for many Flash users, and a steeper learning curve for the uninitiated. This book will help guide you through a variety of scripting scenarios. Rather than relying heavily on prior knowledge of object-oriented programming (OOP), topics are explained in focused examples that originate in the timeline, with optional companion classes for those already comfortable with their use. As chapters progress, the book introduces more and more OOP techniques, allowing you to choose which scripting approach you prefer.

Learning ActionScript 3.0 reveals:

  • New ways to harness the power and performance of AS3
  • Common mistakes that people make with the language
  • Essential coverage of text, sound, video, XML, drawing with code, and more
  • Migration issues from AS1 and AS2 to AS3
  • Simultaneous development of procedural and object-oriented techniques
  • Tips that go beyond simple script collections, including how to approach a project and which resources can help you along the way
The companion web site contains material for all the exercises in the book, as well as short quizzes to make sure you're up to speed with key concepts. ActionScript 3.0 is a different animal from previous versions, and Learning ActionScript 3.0 teaches everything that web designers, GUI-based Flash developers, and those new to ActionScript need to start using the language.


Product Description
In this book, authors Rich Shupe and Zevan Rosser share the knowledge they've gained from their years as multimedia developers/designers and teachers. Learning ActionScript 3.0 gives you a solid foundation in the language of Flash and demonstrates how you can use it for practical, everyday projects. The authors do more than just give you a collection of sample scripts. Written for those of you new to ActionScript 3.0, the book describes how ActionScript and Flash work, giving you a clear look into essential topics such as logic, event handling, displaying content, migrating legacy projects to ActionScript 3.0, classes, and much more. You will learn important techniques through hands-on exercises, and then build on those skills as chapters progress. ActionScript 3.0 represents a significant change for many Flash users, and a steeper learning curve for the uninitiated. This book will help guide you through a variety of scripting scenarios. Rather than relying heavily on prior knowledge of object-oriented programming (OOP), topics are explained in focused examples that originate in the timeline, with optional companion classes for those already comfortable with their use. As chapters progress, the book introduces more and more OOP techniques, allowing you to choose which scripting approach you prefer. Learning ActionScript 3.0 reveals: New ways to harness the power and performance of AS3 Common mistakes that people make with the language Essential coverage of text, sound, video, XML, drawing with code, and more Migration issues from AS1 and AS2 to AS3 Simultaneous development of procedural and object-oriented techniques Tips that go beyond simple script collections, including how toapproach a project and which resources can help you along the way The companion web site contains material for all the exercises in the book, as well as short quizzes to make sure you're up to speed with key concepts. ActionScript 3.0 is a different animal from previous versions, and Learning ActionScript 3.0 teaches everything that web designers, GUI-based Flash developers, and those new to ActionScript need to start using the language.

Praise
"The best ActionScript book ever written."
-Lee Brimelow, Creator of The Flash Blog

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