Programming 2

From ReThinkWiki

Contents 1 Topic Summary 2 Topic Assignments 2.1 Update Code in Scuba Driver Game 2.2 Wiki Update 3 Related Links and Tutorials 4 Notes and Comments 4.1 Variables 4.2 Assignment Statements 4.3 Conditionals (if test) 4.4 Functions 5 Search the Web for more information

Topic Summary

• Additional beginning programming techniques using ActionScript such as if tests, looping and functions.

Topic Assignments

Update Code in Scuba Driver Game

1. Complete the Changing the Coding Within a Movie Clip in Scuba Diver Tutorial. Apply changes as directed and Create several versions with different behaviors.

2. Learn ActionScript basics with the following tutorials:

• Conditional Statements
• Switch() and Case Statements
• Loops
• Introduction to Functions
• Introducing ActionScript Objects

Wiki Update

• Upload the Flash SWF file to your wiki project page.

Related Links and Tutorials

Here are optional tutorials and activities you can do to learn more ActionScript Programming:

• Program Structure
• Working with Variables
• Comments in Actionscript
• Scripted Animation
• Scripted Sound
• Scripted Drawing
• Interface Controls
• Scripted Color
• Collision Detection
• Drag and Drop
• Making a Timer

Adobe's Tutorials

• ActionScript Tutorials

Actionscript.org

• Beginner ActionScript Tutorials

MyGLife.org Custom Tutorial

• Changing the Coding Within a Movie Clip in Scuba Diver

Notes and Comments

Variables

• One variable holds one thing

• Holds value
  • Number, ground of letters(string)
  • Address to a table, object
  • Address to something such as a MovieClip or a button
  • var <name>;
  • ending will be type of thing it's holding(

• Example
  • var healthAmount; //health of the player character
  • var blueCowName; //name of the blue cow
  • var deadAntCtr; //the number of ants player has stomped
  • var ammoCount; //ammo for current weapon
  • var currentWeaponName;
  • var currentCharacterMC; //movie clip
  • var rocketWeaponMC; //movie clip of the rocket weapon
  • var bowArrowWeaponMC;
  • var playerCharX; //is the x position of player character
  • var playerCharY;
  • var weaponsArray;

• Bad variable names
  • 6*9 (no math operations)
  • cow tail (no spaces)
  • function (no reserved words used by flash)
  • X!**&$* (no special characters other than

Assignment Statements

• carSpeed = 5;
• tempSpeed = carSpeed;
• baddieSpeed = tempSpeed + 5;
• carPos = carPos * carSpeed;
• carPosX++;
• carName = "Firecracker";

Conditionals (if test)

if (carSpeed > 10) {
  carSpeed--;
} else {
  carSpeed++;
}

Functions

• is a group of variables and program statements treated as a group
• variables created in a function are temporary and can't be accessed outside the function
• can have parameters passed to them to be worked on

function moveCar(speed) {
   if (car._x + speed < Stage.width) {
      car._x += speed;
   }
}

Search the Web for more information

Here are some search results on Flash ActioScript programming:

• Google results for "actionscript & introduction & tutorial".
• YouTube results for "flash & programming & tutorial" .
• Ask.com results for "actionscript & introduction & tutorial".