Chapter 3: Writing Scripts In Director; Choosing Between Lingo And Javascript Syntax - MACROMEDIA DIRECTOR MX 2004-DIRECTOR SCRIPTING Reference

Scripts in Macromedia Director MX 2004 support all kinds of functionality in movies that would
not be possible otherwise. As you write scripts, you may find the need for increasingly advanced
scripts to support complex interactivity in your Director movies. Intermediate and advanced
scripting concepts and techniques are presented here, including information about object-
oriented scripting in Director.
If you are new to scripting in Director, make sure to read
Essentials," on page 9

Choosing between Lingo and JavaScript syntax

Both Lingo and JavaScript syntax provide access to the same objects, events, and scripting APIs.
Therefore, it does not necessarily matter which language you choose to write your scripts. Your
choice might be as simple as deciding which language you have the most knowledge of and are
most comfortable with.
To understand how scripting languages typically work with a given object and event model in
Director, consider the following:
•
In general, a given scripting language, such as Lingo or JavaScripts syntax, is wrapped around a
given object and event model in order to provide access to those objects and events.
•
JavaScript is an implementation of the ECMAScript standard that is wrapped around a web
browser's object and event model to provide access to the browser's objects and events.
•
ActionScript is an implementation of the ECMAScript standard that is wrapped around the
Macromedia Flash object and event model to provide access to Flash objects and events.
•
The Director implementation of JavaScript syntax is an implementation of ECMAScript that
is wrapped around the Director object and event model to provide access to Director objects
and events.
•
Lingo is a custom syntax that is wrapped around the Director object and event model to
provide access to Director objects and events.
Lingo and JavaScript syntax are the two languages you can use to access the same Director object
and event model. Scripts written in one language have the same capabilities as scripts written in
the other language.
in addition to the topics here.
Writing Scripts in Director
Chapter 2, "Director Scripting
CHAPTER 3
49