Project: Data Visualization for Scripps Genomic Health Initiative Individual Ancestry Estimation

Responsibilites

• Developed database based on data points collected and provided by researchers
• Developed API to retrieve data for specific visualization applications
• Developed three Flex-based data visualization components

Project: In-Browser Voice Recorder for use in Mobile Applications

Responsibilities

• Developed Client-side recorder in pure AS3
• Developed testing harness in Red 5 (open source alternative to Flash Media Server)

So no more of this:
[cc lang="actionscript"]
on(press)
{
//do something
}
[/cc]

For code on the timeline that affects a button (whose instance name we’ll call “button”), we used to do this in AS2:
[cc lang="actionscript"]
button.onPress = function()
{
//do someting;
}
[/cc]

Now in AS3, we have something a little more “wordy”:
[cc lang="actionscript3"]
button.addEventListener(MouseEvent.MOUSE_DOWN,handleClick);
function handleClick(e:MouseEvent):void
{
//do someting;
}
[/cc]

One thing to understand about ActionScript 3 is that it is an event driven language. You listen for events, events get dispatched, and you handle them appropripately. I’ll break down the code for you.
[cc lang="actionscript3" first_line="1"]
button.addEventListener(MouseEvent.MOUSE_DOWN,handleClick);
[/cc]
What we’re saying on line 1 is here, we have a button that will listen for MouseEvent.MOUSE_DOWN events, and if that happens run the handleClick function.

[cc lang="actionscript3" first_line="2"]
function handleClick(e:MouseEvent):void
[/cc]
Here, we’re just defining the function “handleClick.”  It accepts an argument of type MouseEvent and :void means it doesn’t return anything.

As you can see, AS3 for buttons isn’t too difficult, just a little wordier.  Below, I’ve listed the old way of handling buttons with their new event listeners.  Just swap out the MouseEvents for what you need when you add the event listener.

So if you’ve been putting migration off, now is the time to learn.  These recipe style how-tos will be targeted to mostly Flash Designers and novice to intermediate developers who haven’t made the switch quite yet.

If you’re here, come say hello! I’m in the 3rd row, 1st on the left facing the stage. I’m the Asian in the white blazer and brown shirt.

Learn more about the conference [via SDFUG.org]