Flash XML Applications: Use AS2 and AS3 to Create Photo Galleries, Menus, and Databases [Paperback]

Joachim Bernhard Schnier (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 15, 2007 | ISBN-10: 0240809173 | ISBN-13: 978-0240809175

Add seamless, interactive, user-controlled delivery to your Flash applications. This book builds upon your understanding of basic ActionScript (AS) syntax with the foundational skills that you need to use XML in Flash applications and AS2 or AS3 to migrate your existing applications.

Beginning with an introduction to XML, XML parsing methods, and a short introduction to AS2 you learn how to create a universal XML load/onload Class as well as a universal XHTML parser. Then you learn how to use Components using XML as the data source, including the menu, menubar, datagrid and tree component. Finally, a tutorial project-the design and development of a Real Estate Web site that contains an XML search engine-pulls it all together with hands-on experience.

All the applications use XML as the data source and are written as class files. Select parts of the Real Estate Web site are redeveloped in AS3 for purposes of illustration. The new XML class is presented and specific code examples demonstrate techniques to apply methods and use properties. Particular attention is paid to the differences between AS2 and AS3 and how to effectively transition from one AS version to the other.

The companion CD contains code for all of the properties and methods of the AS2, AS3, and XML class examples. Components for the Real Estate Web site project are also provided.

* Build on basic ActionScript syntax skills
* Add seamless, interactive, user-controlled delivery

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

.keeping up with the latest best practices in Flash and database design is a difficult process. Joachim Schnier brings these practices together in a concise, and easy to follow manner in Flash XMLApplications. A must-have in the Web 2.0 era. - Erik V. Pohovich, Master Web Developer, New Web Technologies


Using XML to interact with a database is a must-have skill for anyone that wants to deliver dynamic content . this book is a great overview of the right technologies for building serious Flash applications benefiting from the power of ActionScript 2.0 and 3.0. - Nuno Mira, Flash Developer


Add seamless, interactive, user-controlled delivery to your Flash applications. This book builds upon your understanding of basic ActionScript (AS) syntax with the foundational skills that you need to use XML in Flash applications and AS2 or AS3 to migrate your existing applications.

Beginning with an introduction to XML, XML parsing methods, and a short introduction to AS2 you learn how to create a universal XML load/Onload Class as well as a universal XHTML parser. Then you learn how to use Components using XML as the data source, including the menu, menubar, datagrid and tree component. Finally, a tutorial project-the design and development of a Real Estate Web site that contains an XML search engine-pulls it all together with hands-on experience.

All the applications use XML as the data source and are written as class files. Select parts of the Real Estate Web site are redeveloped in AS3 for purposes of illustration. The new XML class is presented and specific code examples demonstrate techniques to apply methods and use properties. Particular attention is paid to the differences between AS2 and AS3 and how to effectively transition from one AS version to the other.

The companion CD contains code for all of the properties and methods of the AS2, AS3, and XML class examples. Components for the Real Estate Web site project are also provided.




Joachim Schnier, a biologist at the University of California Davis, learned HTML in order to create a cancer web site, then delved into Flash so he might add a flash tutorial to that same site. Soon after, he wrote his first Actionscript 1 tutorial for the Flashkit.com site and has continued to contribute to the site and act as Forum host. Joachim hosts his own Flash tutorial site (http://www.Flashscript.biz/), and in his spare time works as a freelance Flash developer specializing in Actionscript development of web sites and XML databases.



USER LEVEL: Novice to Intermediate

About the Author

Joachim Schnier is a biologist and cancer researcher at UC Davis, and freelance Flash developer specializing in Actionscript development of web sites and XML databases. Joachim learned html in order to create a cancer web site, then delved into Flash so he might add a flash tutorial to that same site. He regularly contributes to Flashkit.com and hosts his own Flash tutorial site http://www.Flashscript.biz/.

Product Details

• Paperback: 336 pages
• Publisher: Focal Press (October 15, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0240809173
• ISBN-13: 978-0240809175
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 7.6 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 2.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,718,879 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Mixed Emotions, December 19, 2007

By 

Shae Waters - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Flash XML Applications: Use AS2 and AS3 to Create Photo Galleries, Menus, and Databases (Paperback)

The first review must have been written by a friend of the author. On the contrary the book is NOT well written and is FAR from easy to follow. I do not want to be overly criticle because it is clear that much time and effort went into this book. It has a lot of good information that is very useful. I am not sure, however, whether i feel good or bad about the purchase. It has definately left me with a number of headaches.

Right off the bat it is confusing. I am an advanced Flash user and although i understand most of what is documented the instruction itself is terrible. I am confident that the author has absolutely no teaching background. He almost NEVER indicates when to save a file or what to name it for that matter. Which is odd considering the entire book relies on the external, custom classes that you create when trying to follow along. You need to know WHAT to name them and WHEN to name them! Like i said, i am an advanced user and the lessons have me completely lost. You never quite know where to stop or begin with the next script. I am half way through the book and it just gets more frustrating to try and follow along. Because i am an advanced user, i am able to continue for the most part. The bottom line is that it is a difficult learning experience.

Aside from the poor instructions i was able to pull some very valuable information from it, but it has been an excruciating experience. Not a bad resource to have available, but be prepared to take some Advil. It will rack your brain trying to follow along!

-Shae

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Some good information but very difficult to follow., May 20, 2008

By 

backpages (Nashville, TN United States) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Flash XML Applications: Use AS2 and AS3 to Create Photo Galleries, Menus, and Databases (Paperback)

I would have to agree with the review from Shae Waters. While this book contains some very good and useful information it is definitely NOT for beginners. If you do not have a very strong understanding of XML and ActionScript you will be completely lost. I am not an "expert" in either, but I do have a pretty strong foundation in both and this book is still very difficult to work through. Many, many things are not explained adequately and the lessons are not anywhere detailed enough. It's very frustrating. A top notch editor should have been able to help shape this book into a resource that more people would be able to take advantage of. I fear most will abandon it before they get very far. I'm determined to make my way through it, but it is a struggle, not due to the material that is being covered, but how it is being presented.

0 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great practical book, November 5, 2007

By 

PJ du Toit "BlaZer" (South Africa) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Flash XML Applications: Use AS2 and AS3 to Create Photo Galleries, Menus, and Databases (Paperback)

This book is well written and offers easy to follow steps that clearly explain how to create interactive xml based applications.

It covers actionscript 2 & 3 as well as some related Flash components. The accompanying CD offers well constructed lessons that are easy to understand and work through.

Thanks for a fantastic flash resource!

Pierre