RIA Journal » ActionScript 2

What do you use to develop Flash content?

Jeff — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 16:30:29 +0000

I recently asked this same question on a few of the LinkedIn groups that I run and was surprised by some of the responses I got back. While some have adapted to FDT or other apps like Flash Develop, there are still others that are still editing Flash content and AS on the Flash IDE. I think that those that are still developing AS on the Flash IDE are just asking for a headache.

Here were a couple of the responses I got:

“I use Sepy, but now testing FlashDevelop. I don´t understand eclipse, because is hard to configure. Maybe in a future will migrate to it.”

“FlexBuilder – is everything I need in one app! It will handle AS projects along with Flex and Air – and comes with all of that Eclipse goodness. Have used SEPY in the past but keep coming back to FB.”

“I actually code AS direct on Flash, but always use external AS files…”

“I have to agree with the majority here…I work in Flash itself for the most part. I’ve recently found myself using Coda more, but it is nice to work within the same IDE.”

“I’ve been using FlashDevelop for a while. Not all the bells and whistles of FlexBuilder, but pretty decent (and its free). I also use Notepad++ for times when I just want a quick-opening file editor.”

So what do you think? What do you use to develop Flash? Post your comments here.

If you want to read more of the responses you can view them on LinkedIn:

Flash Group on LinkedIn

Flash Coders on LinkedIn

width & height for a full-browser flash movie

john — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 22:10:17 +0000

Handy add-on to swfobject that allows the developer to specify a minimum width & height for a full-browser flash movie:http://blog.pixelbreaker.com/flash/swfforcesize/

“scrollbars are added to the browser window if the user has sized it under the specified width or height.”

What is RIA programming? Part 1

James — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 14:00:20 +0000

I, like many of you, have been developing RIAs since before they were called that, yet only in the past few years, have I stopped to try to understand computers. I do not have a degree in Compsci, but I have realized recently why it is in my best interestes to pursue one. Everything I know about programming I have taught myself.

As programmers, we often forget-or don’t know yet know-about the way computers interpret our commands, instead focusing on the tasks we need to accomplish. Indeed, our day is filled with adding more and more code to fix bugs or create new content in a program already bulging at the seams.

I suggest that as programmers it is really our duty to make the program as efficient as possible; a lean, mean fighting machine! As I being to attend classes, I intend to log and comment on my experiences, and how it is affecting the way I program. My first classes begin this fall-Precalculus and Java I-so expect to see more from me soon!