Specifications

256 ActionScript: Work with Objects and Classes
Set up your workspace
First, you’ll view the finished files and set up your workspace to use an
optimal layout for taking lessons.
1. View the finished files.
This lesson does not include start files. You can find finished files of
handson1.fla, handson2.fla, handson3.fla, Product.as, and Drag.as,
which are examples of the files that you’ll create in this lesson:
■ In Windows, browse to boot drive\Program Files\Macromedia\Flash
8\Samples and Tutorials\Tutorial Assets\ActionScript\Work with
Objects and Classes.
■ On the Macintosh, browse to Macintosh HD/Applications/
Macromedia Flash 8/Samples and Tutorials/Tutorial Assets/
ActionScript/Work with Objects and Classes.
2. Select Window > Workspace Layout > Default to configure your
workspace.
Learn about classes and object
types
A class, also referred to as an object type, is like a blueprint. An object doesn’t
exist until you create it, or instantiate it, from a class definition. An object
is an instance of a class.
Properties are the characteristics of an object. For example, when you align
movie clips, you change the
_x and _y properties of the MovieClip object.
A property is a variable that is attached to a class. A property can either be
public, which means it is accessible outside the class, or private, which
means it can be accessed only within the class.
In object-oriented terms, a method is a behavior or procedure that can act
on the object. A hypothetical
throw() method on a ball would know the
size and weight of the ball. A method is aware of the object and all the
properties that it contains and can work on that object.