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CHAPTER 2
ActionScript Basics
ActionScript has rules of grammar and punctuation that determine which characters and words
are used to create meaning and in which order they can be written. For example, in English, a
period ends a sentence. In ActionScript, a semicolon ends a statement.
The following general rules apply to all ActionScript. Most ActionScript terms also have
individual requirements; for the rules for a specific term, see its entry in Chapter 12,
“ActionScript Dictionary,” on page 205.
Differences between ActionScript and JavaScript
ActionScript is similar to the core JavaScript programming language. You don’t need to know
JavaScript to use and learn ActionScript; however, if you know JavaScript, ActionScript will
appear familiar.
This manual does not attempt to teach general programming. There are many resources that
provide more information about general programming concepts and the JavaScript language.
• The European Computers Manufacturers Association (ECMA) document ECMA-262 is
derived from JavaScript and serves as the international standard for the JavaScript language.
ActionScript is based on the ECMA-262 specification.
• Netscape DevEdge Online has a JavaScript Developer Central site (http://
developer.netscape.com/tech/javascript/index.html) that contains documentation and articles
useful for understanding ActionScript. The most valuable resource is the Core JavaScript Guide.
Some of the differences between ActionScript and JavaScript are as follows:.
• ActionScript does not support browser-specific objects such as Document, Window,
and Anchor.
• ActionScript does not completely support all the JavaScript built-in objects.
• ActionScript does not support some JavaScript syntax constructs, such as statement labels.
• In ActionScript, the eval() action can perform only variable references.
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