Learn AS2 or AS3? 1

[bsquared18]

Hi,

I'm not a programmer, although I've done some basic programming from time to time.

A few years ago, I used George Peirson's "How to Gurus" CDs to learn the basics of Flash MX. Then, about a year or so ago I started working through Franklin and Makar's book on Flash MX/ActionScript 2.

After getting part way through Franklin & Makar, other work (the kind that pays the bills) took me away from studying Flash until now. I haven't been using what I had learned in that book, so before starting where I left off, I would need to re-learn what I already had worked through long ago.

During my hiatus from Franklin and Makar, Flash 8 and AS3 have arrived, of course. My question is this: Should I continue working through the Franklin and Makar text, learning AS2, and then learn the ways that AS3 is different, or should I forget about AS2 and find a good introductory text for AS3?

Since I'm not a programmer, I need a text that spells out things that a programmer would find obvious. If learning AS3 is the better way to go, what would be a good text to use? I see that Makar has teamed up with someone other than Franklin to write a Flash 8 text, but reviewers are saying that a lot of the examples they use don't work as they should. Not being a programmer, I probably would find that frustrating.

Anyhow, suggestions on the best way to proceed would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!
Bill

 

[BluesmanUK]

hi Bill
my personal pov (bearing in mind that i've not got round to learning AS3 yet either!) is that maybe AS2 is probably the way to go first if youre not a programmer. Its easier to relate with what you know about Flash already, and to get you writing useful code straight away. AS2 is more forgiving, which isnt necessarily a good thing, but it does allow you to go as deep as you feel comfortable with in terms of object oriented programming.

From what i've seen of AS3, its a strict oop language specifically intended for application development. It looks hardcore - many AS3 (and AS2) programmers dont even use the Flash IDE, everything is done with code and an external compiler, external assets and libraries are also created with code...

 

[BluesmanUK]

By the way , a good text for AS2 is Colin Moock's Essential Actionscript (O'Reilly). I use that in conjuction with Actionscript for Flash MX by the same author.

 

[bsquared18]

BluesmanUK,

Thanks for the info. After reading your post, I went to Amazon.com and studied the user reviews of Moock's book. It sounds like it would be a good followup once I've mastered Franklin and Makar, which, I suspect, is aimed more at novices like myself.

Does Moock's book include a CD or link that provides the actual .fla files being discussed? Franklin and Makar's book does, and I find that very helpful.

One very basic question: Will older versions of ActionScript ever eventually become obsolete in that future versions of the Flash reader won't be able to read them?

Bill

 

[BluesmanUK]

Both books have online code repositories where you can download source files.

ASDG is a great book worth getting straight away - it teaches you AS from the beginning, explaining fundamental programming concepts extremely clearly, and also has an invaluable language reference. Havent seen the franklin&makar book but I still reckon ASDG is the daddy

Essential AS2 is really good for getting into Object oriented development which is the platform for moving onto AS3.

Flash player 9 includes a new virtual machine for AS3 code which is apparently much faster, but it is backwards compatible and will run older AS2 code, not to worry.
Inevitably though, older syntax will become deprecated and eventually phased out. (does tell target still work anyone?!

 

[bsquared18]

Thanks for the suggestion, BluesmanUK. I'm assuming you're referring to the second edition, which covers MX. The Amazon.com user-reviews are incredibly positive. Sorry Franklin & Makar, I'll probably be putting you on the back shelf once I get Mook's book!

Bill