ActionScript Overview

ActionScript is an object-oriented programming language most commonly, yet not exclusively, used to develop website and Flash Player-based applications. ActionScript was initially created as a scripting language for controlling simple 2D animations in Flash.

ActionScript 1.0, which appeared in 2000 with Adobe Flash 5, was initially based on the set of basic scripting commands in earlier Flash versions and was influenced by JavaScript and ECMA-262. The 2.0 version featured compile-time type checking and class-based syntax and thus allowed for a more structured OOP approach.

Finally, ActionScript 3.0, being a yet another step in enhancing capabilities achievable with ActionScript, might look quite similar to 2.0 at first, but is in fact a significantly restuctured version of the scripting language. ActionScript 3.0 is based on ECMAScript with formalized features of ActionScript 2.0, and is compliant with ECMA-262 standard.

ActionScript features a new ActionScript Virtual Machine 2, which substantially extends the potential available with AVM1. The latter will continue to be supported by Flash Player to ensure backwards compatibility. By creating ActionScript 3.0, Adobe set out to achieve a number of goals, including increasing safety and simplicity and ensuring better performance. Interactivity and diversity by means of Flash-based applications and content is achieved with Flash, Flash Media Server and Flex. The Flex product line was the first family of Adobe products allowing to work with ActionScript 3.0.

For information on custom Flex development services you can visit iTechArt's Flex programming page.