Object-Oriented Programming with ActionScript 2.0 [Paperback]

Jeff Tapper (Author), James Talbot (Author), Robin Haffner (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 27, 2004 | ISBN-10: 0735713804 | ISBN-13: 978-0735713802

Master the principles of object-oriented programming as it is used with the most recent version of ActionScripting.

This book is designed to provide readers with an understanding of object-oriented programming, ActionScript 2.0, and the interaction of the two. Section 1 begins with an introduction to ActionScript 2.0 and the specifics of building classes in AS2. Other topics of discussion include adding properties and methods to classes, inheritance, interfaces, inter-object communications, the details and implications of object-oriented design as a process, and working with and building components. Section 2 investigates the server side of applications. In the new Rich Internet Application paradigm, Flash MX 2004 is used as the user interface to an Internet based Client-Server application, and we will frequently need to interact with other server based technologies. Chapters discuss the importance of the server model; specific methods to interact with different server side technologies, including WebServices, XML files, and even simple text files; and the specific ramifications of working with the Flash Communication Server. Section 3 ties all of the concepts presented in the first two sections together by building a single cohesive application. Step-by-step procedures for conceptualizing and building the application are provided along with detailed coverage of how to debug and optimize the application.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Certified to teach courses on ColdFusion and Flash development, Jeff Tapper is Chief Technologist for Tapper.net Consulting, developing projects for ToysRUs, IBM, Dow Jones, American Express, Verizon, and others. James Talbot is a member of the Macromedia Educational Services Team, working on Flash training curriculum, including Developing Rich Internet Applications and Advanced ActionScript for Applications courses. His most recent development projects include sites for AOL/Time Warner and TV Guide. Robin Haffner is an Enterprise Technologist specializing in Flash Applications for the enterprise at HaffnerGraphic. Each presents regularly at industry events.

Product Details

• Paperback: 504 pages
• Publisher: New Riders Press (February 27, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0735713804
• ISBN-13: 978-0735713802
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 7.4 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,352,234 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Jeff has over a decade of experience developing Internet applications for a myriad of clients, including Harley Davidson, ESPN, Major League Baseball, Toys "R" Us, IBM, Dow Jones, American Express, and Morgan Stanley. As an instructor, he is certified to teach all of Adobe's courses on Flex, ColdFusion, and Flash development. He has been working with Flex since the earliest alphas of Flex 1.0. Jeff has authored several books, including Adobe Flex 4: Training from the Source and Breaking Out of the Web Browser with Adobe AIR.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

26 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Error Errors Errors, May 28, 2004

By 

G. Martinez "dangerahead" (San Francisco, CA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Object-Oriented Programming with ActionScript 2.0 (Paperback)

This book has the MOST amount of technical and coding errors I've seen in an ActionScript book in a long time (not the worst--ISBN: 0072222662).

I've tech-edited two other Flash books and I'm thinking the tech-editors of this book should learn ActionScript before they attempt to tech-edit their next book. Or at least read it before sending it off.

They just had to come out with this book before Colin Moock came out with his or else no one would buy it.

The Author, Jeff Tapper, is sick of getting emails about how bad this book is and he said it was a fiasco from start to finish so I'm thinking some marketing jerkwad rushed the book out the door.
More bad desicions in the marketing department end up wasting some more time and trees.

Save your money.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars How about spell check?, September 16, 2004

By 

Wooglin (MN) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Object-Oriented Programming with ActionScript 2.0 (Paperback)

i was leery about buying this book from the seemingly negative user reviews it received, but i went ahead and did it anyway. i was surprised at the number of blatant spelling errors and the multitude of examples that did not work. i did get a lot of practice debugging actionscript, though. if you don't want to spend time fixing author errors and reading confusing, misspelled text, then don't bother buying this book.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Lots of errors but good learning tool, June 2, 2004

By 

joe (NJ, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Object-Oriented Programming with ActionScript 2.0 (Paperback)

I got this book to learn more about OOP style programming and for the most part that what it does. If you really want to have a good primer for actionscript oop programming this is the book. The down side to the book is all the errors and the section with the XML does not give all the code you need for the drop-down menus (unless you download the fla). If you are not great at debugging the author's code, be prepare to be frustrated and disappointed. I can't give this book a high rating because of all the errors but for reference alone and coverage on basic OOP structure I have to give it 5 stars. Anything after chapter 5 its slim picking for good and valuable code. Maybe Jeff Tapper should have waited to write the book after Collin Moock put out his so he can see how to write good code. With that aside the book is uh....ok.