Is there a simplified explanation of how to setup an actionscript IDE? - actionscript-3

I've recently purchased some beginner books on basic ActionScript animation and also downloaded the flashDevelop IDE. I've taken a couple Java classes and have a VERY basic understanding of coding and at that, computers in general. I'm having a difficult time figuring out this IDE (eclipse was setup for me). I've downloaded the file and installed the IDE. I made a file and wrote some code but when trying to compile I get some sort of pathway error and also an SDK error. I'm completely lost on how to fix these issues as the results I've found through Google and stackoverflow are not simplified enough. I'm also confused about how this ActionScript code will be turned into, say, a ball jumping around the screen. Could I please get a VERY simple, borderline special needs explanation of how to setup this IDE and also any info on additional programs needed to actually turn the code into an animation? Forgive me for my ignorance, but I'm starting from the ground up and any help will be much appreciated. Thank you

You may try Flash Builder, and you could change different version of sdk in flash builder. http://www.adobe.com/cn/products/flash-builder.html

Related

action script 2 versus action script 3

I am learning ActionScript and am brand new to making Flash movie clips. Overall it seems pretty easy but I have discovered that there is a huge difference between AS2 and AS3, and that components built in one will not run with code written in the other.
This makes for some big obstacles for me, I have a reason to develop in AS2 but everything on the net is geared around AS3, even the latest versions of Flash Professional are full of components and examples in AS3. (I am using CS5 right now). I tried to use the components from the library and they do not work when building an AS2 project, the compiler errors all complain about "The class or interface 'xxx' could not be loaded" where xxx is referring to some part of the component object from the library.
Any advice here would be much appreciated. I am sure experienced developers have had issues when trying to 'bridge the gap' between old code and new code, if there is a web resource or some sort of advice then that would help.
Well, AS3 was introduced 9 Years ago! AS2 is deprecated and you really should write any code in AS3 for serveral reasons. The mysterious AS2 class that you need, may exist in AS3 or can be somehow adapted to AS3, if you tell us more about it maybe you get a proper solution.

Is there any way to run two instances of flash professional debug

After already searching the site for the answer to the question, I've found this:
Is it any way to run two instances of debuggers?
I need the Flash Professional CS5.5 version of the answer to this question.
Basically - I need to know if there's a way to debug 2 different .fla files in Adobe Flash Professional CS5.5 at the same time. One of them implements the Adobe AIR framework (for using the SocketServer class), the other is a standard AS3 project. It'd be nice if I could debug the client-server interaction easily using the IDE rather than using extensive means to do so.
Anyone have any ideas? Thanks.
This is not an answer to your question but a suggestion to take a different approach.
The Flash IDE and it's debugger are inadequate but for most trivial programs. Variable inspection and breakpoints work randomly and it's next to impossible to drill down into more complex objects. Flash IDE is all right for creating the visual resources for Flash programs but for any serious coding, it just falls on its face. The compiler included with the Flash IDE is also very poorly written and generates unoptimized code.
I'd suggest to switch over to using FlashDevelop - it's a free, open source IDE that runs on top of the Flex and Air SDKs and uses a better compiler that performs more optimizations. (You can mark functions for inlining, etc.) The debugger - while not Visual Studio - is much, much better than the IDE: breakpoints work and object properties can be inspected easily.
Because FlashDevelop is geared towards coding, you can create a project in it with multiple source files, define your resources and then compile to multiple platforms. Compilation is usually fast with hundreds of source files (don't import every type in every package) and you can do debug/release builds. If you can port your code from Flash to FlashDevelop, you'll have a much easier time managing your project.

ActionScript 3 IDE which provides tools on Graphical Interface as well as Code

This is my first post on Stack Overflow.
Are there any IDE's for ActionScript 3 which can provide the following:
-Graphical Interface for drawing
-Writing code with good debugging, dynamic feedback, refactoring etc
I have recently rekindled programming flash games in ActionScript 3 and am using Flash CS3
as it provides means of drawing my graphical objects and writing the code.
I have noticed that:
1. Debugging is not particualr great
2. No dynamic feedback whilst programming (suggestion or auto populate)
3. No refactoring etc
I have looked into other IDEs such as Flex Builder and even looked at plugins for my favorite
IDE's such as Eclipse and IntilliJ but have not found my answer. They tend to talk heavuly about
how they provide good coding tools but not much, if any, tools on the graphical side of things.
It would also be ideal for me if what ever IDE I use I am still able to migrate the entire project
so that it can still be opened usign CS3. Additionally, I am a Windows user.
At the moment I am contemplating drawing my sprites in CS3 and doing the code in another but
surely there must be an easier, perhaps more sensable approach?
Many thanks in advance for any help.
No, there is no IDE like that, and given the decreasing popularity of Flash it's unlikely that something like that will ever be developed.
The coding environment has improved quite a bit in newer versions of Flash Pro, but it still doesn't approach anything like Flash Builder or FlashDevelop. It's not uncommon for people to create graphics in Flash Pro and do coding in another editor.
This is easy. FlashDevelop for code. Flash IDE for graphics. You may want to graduate to CS5.5 or CS6 (if you can find a copy)if you want to go mobile. Otherwise CC.

Flash Builder bug?

Irritatingly, Flash Builder refuses to implement any changes I make to the program when I run it. I can't find any documentation of this anywhere online after a brief googling, just wondering if anyone has come across this problem before and/or found a solution? I don't want to have to export a release build every time I want to check if any changes have been implemented successfully (I'm just assuming that'd work)
It happened to me once before but I overcame this problem simply by starting a new project as there wasn't much of any significance, and couldn't easily fix it.
It's pretty much as simple as it sounds tbh, having returned to my computer a couple of hours after leaving it I find any changes to any part of the code have no impact on what is displayed when I go to run...
Any insight would be much appreciated
Thanks
Josh
It could be the cache of your browser. Clear your cache and see if that works..
It could also be because you have classes that are compiled in external swf's. If you compile in Flash Builder, you're not persee recompiling those classes. Instead, compile the external swf which has links to those classes.
You'd think if this were a bug in Flash Builder, people would be complaining about it a bit more often, check that your browser is updating properly, most likely you've got the SWF stuck in your browser cache.
Check the "clear application data on each launch" in Run/Debug Configuration window.
This will clear and uninstall existing app installed in your test device, so every new launch will have clean build.
Tips : Make sure to cmd/ctr + B first, In every run/build.

Flash ActionScript 3.0 - Any free compiler, tools and tutorials?

I have got an assignment in which I have to implement a AS3 wrapper for any FLV player and I have to expose actionscript functions (External Interfaces?) so that other can be used in other different applications via CallFunction API. I have few questions regarding this -
Are the tools for this are freely available? I know Flex SDK is but I want standalone swf (I means Flash Player 10) that can be used anywhere without any dependency and should contain FLV player embedded or should be able to load it from a particular location by supplying the URL.
Is it possible only with an ActionScript compiler (or any free tools?). My problem is that I don't have flash or flex builder and I don't want to spend money on these because I don't work on it.
As I have almost zero knowledge about it. Can you guys please explain me (if possible with details) that what I need to do. Any resoures on how to create and compile?
If any of you have ever done this it would be really great if you guys can share samples. I've heard that many people have done the same thing for video players.
I can share a bit of my setup
I use Flash (CS5) for creating assets
I use FlexSDK as the compiler
And do all the code in FlashDevelop
Flashdevelop is for PC only for now, it's free and comes since the last few versions now with a debugger
I use FlexSDK to compile and Eclipse with AS IDE or something along those lines, and then preview things in a web browser using an html page with the swf file embedded.
check out projectsprouts. its a pretty nice Flash (as2/3/Flex/AIR) generation tool that can help you stub out your project, compile it, and even create unit tests if you want. pretty simple ruby install (i am a ruby newb, and got is running pretty easily). It was a pretty good support base, and an active mailing list where people will be happy to help you along.
It is important to note that the FlexSDK has very little to do with Flex unless you are linking against classes that are Flex specific. mxmlc does not have anything to do with MXML even though it will also compile MXML.
Here is an article that describes Flash development on Linux. It is pretty old, but the principles are the same. With an Actionscript 3 Compiler (contained in the FlexSDK) and a text editor, you are off to the races. It is a lot easier with Flash Builder 4, FDT 4, Intellij IDEA, Flash Develop, etc ;)