MACROMEDIA FLASH 8-LEARNING ACTIONSCRIPT 2.0 IN FLASH Manual page 115

Expressions, different from statements, are any legal combination of ActionScript symbols that
represent a value. Expressions have values, while values and properties have types. An
expression can consist of operators and operands, values, functions, and procedures. The
expression follows ActionScript rules of precedence and of association. Typically, Flash Player
interprets the expression and then returns a value that you can use in your application.
For example, the following code is an expression:
x + 2
In the previous expression,
on operators and operands, see
objects and properties, see
The way you format your ActionScript also determines how maintainable your code is. For
example, it's difficult to read the logic of a FLA file that doesn't contain indents or comments,
or contains inconsistent formatting and naming conventions. When you indent blocks of
ActionScript (such as loops and
encounter problems. For more information about formatting ActionScript, see
ActionScript syntax" on page
these sections.
For more information on syntax and language fundamentals, see the following topics:
"Differences between ActionScript and JavaScript"
"About case sensitivity"
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
seem 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 ECMAScript (ECMA-262) edition 3 language specification is derived from
JavaScript and serves as the international standard for the JavaScript language.
ActionScript is based on this specification. For more information, see
international.org/publications/standards/Ecma-262.htm.
The Java Technology site has tutorials on object-oriented programming
java.sun.com/docs/books/tutorial/java/index.html) that are targeted for the Java language
but are useful for understanding concepts that you can apply to ActionScript.
and are operands and
x 2
"About operators" on page
"Object data type" on page
statements), the code is easier to read and debug if you
if
764. You can also see proper formatting of ActionScript in
is an operator. For more information
+
176. For more information on
78.
About syntax, statements, and expressions
"Formatting
www.ecma-
(http://
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