XML in Flash is an excellent introduction to creating state-of-the-art Flash applications with XML. XML is quickly becoming the most popular way to store and manage data. Flash's XML Socket makes it possible to network Flash front-ends to an application server. This allows developers to use a Flash interface for applications such as message boards, real-time chats, surveys, news feeds, and games. XML in Flash begins by illustrating the basics of XML and the Flash XML Object. In Part I, Flash is used as a teaching aid as you learn the basics of Flash/XML integration. Part II covers how Flash works with middleware languages, such as PHP and ASP, as well as performance and optimization. You will also create a Flash message board with a database. Part III delves into the advantages of XMLSocket. Hands-on projects include creating a stock market ticker to receive XML data from servers. Finally, the appendixes include invaluable reference information on XML, XMLNode objects, and XMLSocket objects, as well as Frequently Asked Questions. The example applications also illustrate the key concepts necessary for understanding the Flash/XML relationship. You will be able to use the applications on the accompanying Web site regardless of whether or not you spend the time to read and learn about their inner workings.

Provides in-depth information to the more than one million Flash developers who want to take their animations to the next level using sophisticated interaction and data-driven content Flash ActionScript is an object-oriented scripting language used with Flash that allows the designer to control a movie in non-linear fashion, create sophisticated interactivity, control elements on the stage, collect and track input from the movie viewer, and exchange and manipulate data from external sources The most comprehensive Flash ActionScript guide available, cowritten by Robert Reinhardt, coauthor of Macromedia Flash MX 2004 Bible (0-7645-4303-2) Published to coincide with the release of Flash "X," the newest version of this widely used Web development tool

Step-by-step techniques, illustrated with highly visual examples throughout the book, show you how to build up your ActionScripting skills quickly and effectively. A support website (www.sprite.net/understanding) provides all the content you need to try out the techniques shown in the book for yourself. Ideal for those studying multimedia and information technology and anyone who wants to produce highly effective online interactive content. This guide gives you all you need to ensure you have a firm foundation of knowledge on how to use ActionScript creatively so you can produce professional results.

First Published in 2008. Routledge is an imprint of Taylor & Francis, an informa company.

To create Flash applications that sizzle, you have to learn the code. In this comprehensive guide to the latest version of ActionScript, the object-oriented scripting language for Macromedia Flash, you'll get the detailed instruction and step-by-step tutorials you need to write robust code and create sophisticated interactive animations. Work with objects and components, interoperate with JavaScript, create games, and more - it's all here in this informative book for developers, programmers, and designers. Inside, you'll find complete coverage of Flash 8 ActionScript Master the basics of ActionScript expressions, functions, and variables Work with numbers, arrays, and strings Transform your movie clips with colors and filters Program sound and manage video Manage data with Web Services and Flash Remoting Call ActionScript functions from JavaScript Learn scripting for the Flash stand-alone player Bonus Companion Web site! Find code downloads and example files at: www.wiley.com/go/actionscriptbible

If you're serious about Flash design, and if you want to push your ideas to the very limits of possibility in Flash MX, then this book and CD are your indispensable companions. This package combines two vital elements: the most comprehensive and in-depth reference resource for Flash MX ActionScript Rich, and practical tutorials on using ActionScript effectively in your Flash movie design. We've packed in 20 chapters of tutorials, hundreds of detailed reference entries, and hundreds of example FLAs and SWFs. The CD reproduces and expands the complete ActionScript dictionary, providing you with a comprehensive and portable reference tool. To gain an idea of the CD's content, view our online demonstration. You can view all the dictionary's entries, but only the first 30 or so are functional. Our aim has been to make this book the best Flash MX ActionScript resource, bar none—the book that you'll keep on your desk and never exhaust.

Flash Remoting MX lets developers easily integrate rich Macromedia Flash content with applications that are built using Macromedia ColdFusion MX, Microsoft .NET, Java, PHP, or SOAP-based web services. The result is complex client/server applications that more closely resemble desktop applications than traditional web pages. Gone is the click/wait/reload approach of HTML. Your web application uses Flash as the front end while Flash Remoting handles the communication behind the scenes with the application server. All the end user knows is that it's fast and flexible.The potential uses for Flash Remoting are endless. Flash Remoting: The Definitive Guide will help you understand this breakthrough technology and use it to build your own Rich Internet Applications (RIAs). Build applications that connect to a database, file system, or other server-side technologies. Or, use Flash Remoting to create: online stores that feature catalogs and shopping cart systems sound and video clip libraries banner ads with built-in shopping carts, click-through tracking, and site search capabilities new controls that can be used in place of HTML extensions to Flash, Dreamweaver, Fireworks, and more front-ends to databases for administrators The book begins with Flash Remoting basics: setup, installation and an introduction to its underlying concepts. Next, you'll explore the Flash's User Interface components as they relate to Flash Remoting. Then, you'll gain insights into Flash Remoting internals and the Remoting API. The book is rich with examples that you will be able to run on your own system.The next section focuses on the server-side environment that you'll use for your applications. Individual chapters cover Flash Remoting with ColdFusion, Server-Side ActionScript, Java, ASP.NET, and PHP.The last section covers more advanced Flash Remoting techniques, such as calling web services from Flash Remoting, extending objects and UI controls, best practices, and debugging. Plus there is a detailed chapter demonstrating a real-world application. The book concludes with a Flash Remoting API reference.Developers who are looking to create Rich Internet Applications with Flash will find Flash Remoting: The Definitive Guide indispensable.

This book gives the most up-to-date picture of the topic—XML support in the most modern web browsers, creating XML-driven applications using the most versions of web standards and server-side languages, including CSS 2.1/3, DOM, XSLT and XPath 2, PHP 5, ASP.NET 2, and many more. The book shows that you can give the reader all they need to know to hit the ground running, without making them trawl through hundreds of pages of syntax. The book also provides an introduction to Ajax-style programming, which is an essential topic for modern web developers to understand. XML is core to Ajax, so an understanding of it is essential when learning how to program Ajax functionality. This book therefore provides a great stepping stone for readers wishing to take this path.

Updated to cover the functionality and ActionScripting changes that have come with the release of Flash MX Professional 2004, this edition brings more clarity to the use of object-oriented programming for developing Flash applications. Topics include object design, basic patterns, using components, and debugging applications, all covered with a backdrop of a sample application.

Two authors demonstrate techniques for controlling flash web front ends with data from database repositories.