Learning ActionScript 3.0: A Beginner's Guide |  | Authors: Rich Shupe, Zevan Rosser
Publisher: O'Reilly/Adobe Developer Library
Category: Book
List Price: $39.99
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Rating:  75 reviews
Sales Rank: 11831
Media: Paperback
Edition: 1st
Pages: 384
Number Of Items: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 2
Dimensions (in): 9.5 x 8 x 1
ISBN: 059652787X
Dewey Decimal Number: 006.696
EAN: 9780596527877
ASIN: 059652787X
Publication Date: January 4, 2008
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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Amazon.com Review
Product Description
In this book, authors Rich Shupe and Zevan Rosser share the knowledge they've gained from their years as multimedia developers/designers and teachers. Learning ActionScript 3.0 gives you a solid foundation in the language of Flash and demonstrates how you can use it for practical, everyday projects. The authors do more than just give you a collection of sample scripts. Written for those of you new to ActionScript 3.0, the book describes how ActionScript and Flash work, giving you a clear look into essential topics such as logic, event handling, displaying content, migrating legacy projects to ActionScript 3.0, classes, and much more. You will learn important techniques through hands-on exercises, and then build on those skills as chapters progress. ActionScript 3.0 represents a significant change for many Flash users, and a steeper learning curve for the uninitiated. This book will help guide you through a variety of scripting scenarios. Rather than relying heavily on prior knowledge of object-oriented programming (OOP), topics are explained in focused examples that originate in the timeline, with optional companion classes for those already comfortable with their use. As chapters progress, the book introduces more and more OOP techniques, allowing you to choose which scripting approach you prefer. Learning ActionScript 3.0 reveals: New ways to harness the power and performance of AS3 Common mistakes that people make with the language Essential coverage of text, sound, video, XML, drawing with code, and more Migration issues from AS1 and AS2 to AS3 Simultaneous development of procedural and object-oriented techniques Tips that go beyond simple script collections, including how toapproach a project and which resources can help you along the way The companion web site contains material for all the exercises in the book, as well as short quizzes to make sure you're up to speed with key concepts. ActionScript 3.0 is a different animal from previous versions, and Learning ActionScript 3.0 teaches everything that web designers, GUI-based Flash developers, and those new to ActionScript need to start using the language.
Praise
"The best ActionScript book ever written."
-Lee Brimelow, Creator of The Flash Blog
Product Description
In this book, authors Rich Shupe and Zevan Rosser share the knowledge they've gained from their years as multimedia developers/designers and teachers. Learning ActionScript 3.0 gives you a solid foundation in the language of Flash and demonstrates how you can use it for practical, everyday projects.The authors do more than just give you a collection of sample scripts. Written for those of you new to ActionScript 3.0, the book describes how ActionScript and Flash work, giving you a clear look into essential topics such as logic, event handling, displaying content, migrating legacy projects to ActionScript 3.0, classes, and much more. You will learn important techniques through hands-on exercises, and then build on those skills as chapters progress.ActionScript 3.0 represents a significant change for many Flash users, and a steeper learning curve for the uninitiated. This book will help guide you through a variety of scripting scenarios. Rather than relying heavily on prior knowledge of object-oriented programming (OOP), topics are explained in focused examples that originate in the timeline, with optional companion classes for those already comfortable with their use. As chapters progress, the book introduces more and more OOP techniques, allowing you to choose which scripting approach you prefer.Learning ActionScript 3.0 reveals:New ways to harness the power and performance of AS3Common mistakes that people make with the languageEssential coverage of text, sound, video, XML, drawing with code, and moreMigration issues from AS1 and AS2 to AS3Simultaneous development of procedural and object-oriented techniquesTips that go beyond simple script collections, including how to approach a project and which resources can help you along the wayThe companion web site contains material for all the exercises in the book, as well as short quizzes to make sure you're up to speed with key concepts. ActionScript 3.0 is a different animal from previous versions, and Learning ActionScript 3.0 teaches everything that web designers, GUI-based Flash developers, and those new to ActionScript need to start using the language.
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| Customer Reviews:
Showing reviews 1-5 of 75
 Excellent Starting Point for Migrating to ActionScript 3 August 3, 2008
Alexander C. Baker (Dayton, OH USA)
14 out of 16 found this review helpful
I first became interested Learning ActionScript 3 after initially reading a few samples posted on Adobe's website. What I found was an excellent starting point that drove me to finally make the jump from ActionScript 1 and 2. In practice, most books I have read about ActionScript 3 focus on the Flex platform, which is outside of what I'm looking for. Rather, I needed something that focused on developing in the Flash IDE (Flash CS3 as of this review), which is exactly what this book is written for.
I picked it up as supplement material to aid me in programming a large game programming project. Basically, I've referenced this book to understand the key concepts needed for my game, borrowing code samples where needed and applying them to my own project. In practice, it's the application here that really teaches the concept, and I've found that this book is a great starting point as well as reference for grasping these concepts.
The authors have done a great job presenting the material in an easily-readable casual conversation style. Of these discussions, I particularly found their comparisons to the previous versions of the language most satisfying. As AS3 is very different from AS1/2, I appreciate learning what was changed and why.
I can not vouch for the beginner's guide level for this book. I came into this book as an intermediate ActionScript programmer and often found myself skimming over any discussion on the details of some of the programs. For the most part, the code is easy enough to read and get the point, and if I had questions, these were almost always addressed in the discussion. That said, I think this book is ideal for any intermediate programmer looking to make the jump to AS3.
I am aware that there are some errata in this book, and to that extent, I can simply comment that the website is well maintained, code samples there seem accurate. No problems here.
All in all, I would highly recommend Learning ActionScript 3 as a great companion book for anyone looking to get started programming with ActionScript 3.
Finally! February 5, 2008
H. Fischer (Santa Monica CA)
22 out of 27 found this review helpful
Finally a book on ActionScript that is clear, crisply written and easy to follow. This is the book I've been looking for and couldn't find. I finally get it! I've never felt compelled to write a review before, but felt I should take the time after purchasing this book.
I'm a designer who has been trying to learn ActionScript for quite a while. I have a stack of books, but this one is just so much better than anything I've come across. I've often wondered why it has to be so hard. These guys know to write and how to teach. It's all very clear.
One of the things I really appreciate about the book is that it is in color. That in itself makes it so much easier to get into and understand. As a visual person it makes a huge difference.
The subtitle is "A Beginners Guide" but it is by no means a simple introduction. It is very thorough and covers most of the concepts you will likely ever use. The examples are all very useful and the example code is available for download from their equally well designed website, which also includes additional examples not in the book.
They really do an incredible job of showing how everything works together and they do it with economy. No unnecessary words and nothing necessary forgotten.
It even make the trigonometry seem easy. Amazing. Not an easy task.
If you're a designer or new to ActionScript 3.0, I think this is the best there is. If you combine this with the Actionscript Cookbook, and Moock's Essential Actionscript for reference (after you have completed reading and understanding "Learning Actionscript 3.0") I think you'll have everything you need to solve any ActionScript problem.
Great book for the beginner! January 15, 2008
Vlado Krempl (Sydney, AUSTRALIA)
28 out of 36 found this review helpful
I am a designer who has read so many books on actionscript, I started dreaming about code in my sleep. What can I say, I'm a designer....I'm visual... Didn't matter how many books I read on the subject....."I didn't really get it". Until this book came along....
This book also made me understand all the other books even more.
Worth having a look at!
And also I must add, my other recommendation is the Actionscript 3 Bible -Colin Moocks "Essential Actionscript 3" This book goes more into detail, where the other book skims across the surface. Colin is the Actionscript master.
very strong teaching reference July 18, 2008
Scott Loughrey (MD)
4 out of 4 found this review helpful
I think "Learning Actionscript 3.0" by Rich Shupe and Zevan Rosser is an excellent resource and I recommend it highly. I am a programmer, and have enjoyed reading it. It is organized well and covers a lot of useful information for Flash designers.
I debated buying it, since there are a lot of references to Actionscript 3.0 on the Internet. However, Schupe and Rosser really do a good job of teaching the new Actionscript, using many examples that readers can download.
The transition from Actionscript 2.0 to 3.0 can be daunting for people. That's why a resource like this one can be appreciated. It starts out with fundamental concepts, then builds on them sequentially.
"Learning Actionscript 3.0" is a very good addition to a programmer's library.
Really Helpful for Beginners February 7, 2008
j (USA)
10 out of 13 found this review helpful
This book was recommended to me by an instructor in a Flash class- and I have to say it was an excellent recommendation. As a designer new to AS and prgramming, things were a little confusing, but this book breaks info down into a non-intimidating format. My experience has been that finding good resources to start the learning prcess for AS3 is difficult, but you'll find a good start here. I'd say that this book spans a beginning to intermediate range and gives a good foundation for further learning.
As a side note, the companion website is excellent, and the authors respond very quickly to inquiries. If you want to learn AS3, and are not sure where to start, this book will get you going in the right direction.
Showing reviews 1-5 of 75
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