From the Back Cover

In this book, you'll learn:

• the essential principles of object-oriented programming, including inheritance, encapsulation, polymorphism, and more
• valuable lessons on actionscript 3.0 project planning and programming, including design patterns and source control
• how to create your own extensible, reusable application framework using OOP best practices
• advanced data integration techniques such as Web services and communication between Flash and the browser Object-Oriented ActionScript 3.0

Object-oriented programming (OOP) is something that is usually considered a black art for hardcore programmers, not a topic of conversation for Flash developers. However, when adobe introduced ActionScript 3.0 to the mix, it changed everything. ActionScript 3.0 is much more powerful than previous versions, allowing Flash developers to produce robust object-oriented applications. but with that power comes great responsibility—OOP is now a requirement, rather than optional, and there are new things to learn.

But never fear—this book, based on the ever-popular Object-Oriented ActionScript for Flash 8, provides you all you need to delve into the world of OOP with confidence, whether you are using the Flash IDE, Flex builder, or even command-line tools for your development work.

First, you are taken gently through all the principles of OOP that you need to know, and then given a guide to designing and implementing applications in ActionScript 3.0. Next, we step up a gear, showing you the Flex builder development environment and teaching about creating reusable, extensible component frameworks—manager classes, animation and effects classes, UI widgets, and more. lastly, we look at some more advanced topics such as communication between Flash and the browser and Web services. case studies are included that apply the knowledge presented, giving you real-world projects to learn from and adapt for use in your own work.

Mastering object-oriented programming is essential for modern Flash development, and Object-Oriented ActionScript 3.0 is the only guide you'll need.

Summary of Contents 

PART ONE: OOP AND ACTIONSCRIPT

• Chapter 1: Introduction to OOP
• Chapter 2: Programming Concepts
• Chapter 3: ActionScript 3.0 Programming

PART TWO: FLASH OOP GUIDELINES

• Chapter 4: Planning
• Chapter 5: Project Workflow
• Chapter 6: Best Practices
• Chapter 7: Working with Flex 2

PART THREE: CORE OOP CONCEPTS

• Chapter 8: Encapsulation
• Chapter 9: Classes
• Chapter 10: Inheritance
• Chapter 11: Polymorphism
• Chapter 12: Interfaces
• Chapter 13: Design Patterns
• Chapter 14: Case Study: An OOP Media Player

PART FOUR: BUILDING AND EXTENDING DYNAMIC FRAMEWORKS

• Chapter 15: Manager Classes
• Chapter 16: UI Widgets
• Chapter 17: OOP Animation and Effects

PART FIVE: DATA INTEGRATION

• Chapter 18: Exchanging Data Between Components
• Chapter 19: Communication Between Flash and the Browser
• Chapter 20: Server Communication (XML and Web Services)
• Chapter 21: Case Study: Slideshow Engine

Who is this book for?

Object-Oriented ActionScript 3.0 book is targeted at readers who already have some previous experience developing in ActionScript and are looking to broaden their knowledge on the latest syntax introduced in ActionScript 3.0 and start writing object-oriented code. Some familiarity with the Flash or Flex authoring environments is recommended to be able to easily follow along with the example code.

Conclusion

Object-Oriented ActionScript 3.0 takes readers through the best OOP practices and techniques. Next to great code tips an tricks it teaches you how to organize your planning and workflow. It is also a useful guide that helps you with the transition from AS 2.0.

The book does a wonderful job of walking you through real world examples. Many of the examples build on each other to give you a greater understanding of how each of the techniques and/or principles of OOP can work together to form a successful application.

We recommend this book for any programmer who wants to get into AS3 with Flex or for a Flash developer who is looking to take their skill set to the next level.