AS3 error 1084 syntax error expecting rightparen before dot - actionscript-3

Question

i am new to this whole as3 thing and i am struggling immensely. I have been sat for the last two days trying to do something i can imaging to be simple to everyone else reading this. I am trying to create a game where i have a skate boarder controlled by the keyboard keys. However when i type this code in i am getting a 1084 error please help before i throw my laptop out the window. Thanks!!
package {
import flash.display.*;
import flash.events.*;enter code here
public class skatefate extends MovieClip {
var the_skater:Sprite = new Sprite();
the_skater.addChild:(skater);
var moveLeft:Boolean = false;
var moveRight:Boolean = false;
var moveUp:Boolean = false;
var moveDown:Boolean = false;
stage.addEventListener(KeyboardEvent.KEY_DOWN, keyPressedDown);
stage.addEventListener(KeyboardEvent.KEY_UP, keyPressedUp);
stage.addEventListener(Event.ENTER_FRAME, moveskater);
function keyPressedDown(event:KeyboardEvent) {
if (event.keyCode == 37) {
moveLeft = true;
} else if (event.keyCode == 39) {
moveRight = true;
} else if (event.keyCode == 65) {
moveUp = true;
} else if (event.keyCode == 90) {
moveDown = true;
}
}
function keyPressedUp(event:KeyboardEvent) {
if (event.keyCode == 37) {
moveLeft = false;
} else if (event.keyCode == 39) {
moveRight = false;
} else if (event.keyCode == 65) {
moveUp = false;
} else if (event.keyCode == 90) {
moveDown = false;
}
}
function moveskater(event:Event) {
var speed:uint = 20;
if (moveLeft) {
skater.x -= speed;
if (skater.x < 0){
skater.x = 800;
}
}
}
if (moveRight) {
skater.x += speed;
if (skater.x > 800){
skater.x = 0;
}
}
if (moveUp) {
skater.y -= speed;
if (skater.y > 0){
skater.y = 0;
}
}
if (moveDown) {
skater.y += speed;
if (skater.y > 0){
skater.y = 0;
}
}

Answer 1

I tried your code but didn't get your error. Your sample throws other errors & problems.
So my advice is these two things..
The correct to construct your code...
package
{
//IMPORTS go here
//Declare your Class
public class skatefate extends MovieClip
{
//VARS go here
//*******************************************************************
//note: later you may also add other VARS inside functions as needed
//(but were not originally put (declared) in this section)
//*******************************************************************
//Declare main function of your Class (must have same name as Class (.as)
public function skatefate()
{
//Constructor code here
//************************************************************************
// Your main program code and related functions (K/board etc) go here and
// will reference your VARS declared above in public Class construction)
//************************************************************************
} //End of (public) Function
} //End of (public) Class
} //End of Package
Just incase you still struggle, this edit of your code shown should compile. From there you can study & learn. Hopefully one more laptop will survive in this cruel world.
package
{
import flash.display.*;
import flash.events.*; //enter code here
//Declare your Class
public class skatefate extends MovieClip {
var the_skater:Sprite = new Sprite();
var skater:Sprite = new Sprite(); //hide line if skater exists already (i.e in Library)
var speed:uint = 20;
//Declare main function of your Class
public function skatefate ()
{
var moveLeft:Boolean = false;
var moveRight:Boolean = false;
var moveUp:Boolean = false;
var moveDown:Boolean = false;
stage.addEventListener(KeyboardEvent.KEY_DOWN, keyPressedDown);
stage.addEventListener(KeyboardEvent.KEY_UP, keyPressedUp);
stage.addEventListener(Event.ENTER_FRAME, moveskater);
the_skater.addChild(skater);
addChild(the_skater); //adds to stage
function keyPressedDown (event:KeyboardEvent)
{
if (event.keyCode == 37) { moveLeft = true; }
else if (event.keyCode == 39) { moveRight = true; }
else if (event.keyCode == 65) { moveUp = true; }
else if (event.keyCode == 90) { moveDown = true; }
}
function keyPressedUp (event:KeyboardEvent)
{
if (event.keyCode == 37) { moveLeft = false; }
else if (event.keyCode == 39) { moveRight = false; }
else if (event.keyCode == 65) { moveUp = false; }
else if (event.keyCode == 90) { moveDown = false; }
}
function moveskater(event:Event)
{
//var speed:uint = 20; //already declared at top
//speed = 20; // later change 'speed' this way by updating number
if (moveLeft) {
skater.x -= speed;
if (skater.x < 0)
{ skater.x = 800; }
}
if (moveRight) {
skater.x += speed;
if (skater.x > 800)
{ skater.x = 0; }
}
if (moveUp) {
skater.y -= speed;
if (skater.y > 0)
{ skater.y = 0; }
}
if (moveDown) { skater.y += speed;
if (skater.y > 0)
{ skater.y = 0; }
}
} //close 'moveskater' function
} //End of your (public) Function
} //End of your (public) Class
} //End of Package
Hope it helps. Ask for advice in the comments and don't forget to tick as "correct answer" if it works for you. That's how we say "Thanks" on Stack Overflow.