After the design was finalized, I began to code. I quickly realized there could be a better way of coding, using a more modular approach and actually utilizing the principles of OOP (Object Oriented Programming … if you’re not techy, please negate all geeky words and phrases). These principles basically make it possible to reuse code. More work up front = less work in the long term. One of my goals this year is to become more efficient and knowledgeable in the realm of ActionScript and more specifically, OOP. My hope is that the new knowledge will improve my ability to teach and create, design and implement RIA (Rich Internet Applications).

Anyway, before this project I scheduled a one-on-one four hour tutoring session with Dana Payne, an ActionScript/Flex/Flash expert and Adobe Certified Instructor. Wednesday of this week I completed this tutoring session and felt like I had a handle on the principles we talked about. Dana was great and I intend to hire her again in a few months for a more intensive eight hour session. I highly recommend her to anyone looking to learn these things. So, yesterday when I sat down to implement what I had learned the day before in my current project, I struggled. I was stressed from other projects, on mind overload, and frustrated that this project was taking longer than I had anticipated, hence why the hourly quote was a shot in the foot. I do not charge for my learning experiences, however, I also did not anticipate spending four times the time on the project. It’s not about money … more about personal / professional proficiency (or lack there of).

At this moment of ultimate frustration, the realization hit me. It has been over a year and a half that I have been in this position of learning. Of course, I am not saying I have not learned anything in the last year and a half. Or that I have not been frustrated. Rather, it is that I decided to take my skills to the next level and in doing so, lacked the self preparation and patience to hit the exponential learning curve head on. As I sit here now, humbled and a bit more at ease, I recognize this things and am ready to be more patient with myself and my ability to learn.

There are some terms, some of which we have covered, that will be useful to have a general and basic understanding of.

1. Instances & Instance Names
   When we create symbols, existing in the Library and drag them onto the stage, we create an instance of that symbol. If we will be referencing an instance in our ActionScript, we must name that instance. You name your instances in the Properties Panel.
   
2. Statements
   A statement is like a sentence only rather than the expression ending with a period it ends with a semi-colon (";"). Example:
   var theDog;
3. Variables & Data Types
   Variables are containers; they are vessels used to store various bits of information. There are many types of data. Here are a few:

   Number
   These can be positive, negative, integer or decimal (floating point) numbers.

   var myAge:Number = 52;

   //comments are indicated by using two slashes ... these are good to use. they will help you remember what a line of code means

   /*
if you will be writing extra, you
can use a slash + a star and that will
give you the ability to comment a longer
description or block of code

*/

   Boolean (true/false)
   var myStatement:Boolean = false;

   String
   var myName:String = "Bob Saget"; // set value of the myName variable equal to Bob Saget

   NOTE: The way in which data is stored is very important. For example, these are not equal:

   
var myAge:Number = 52;
var myAge:String = "52";


4. Functions
   Functions allow for reusing a block of code.

   function myFirstFunction() {
     trace("hello");
};
myFirstFunction();

   Many functions are built into Flash. trace(); stop(); and gotoAndPlay(); are three of the most common.

5. If Statements

   An if statement is a conditional statement…if you’ve ever taken a logic class, these are similar type statements…
   First, write out what you’d like to check:

   // if the x property of the dog movie clip is equal to 50, then trace "x equals 50"

   
   if (dog_mc.x == 50) {
     trace("x equals 50");
}

   You can also have it do something else if the condition is not true using if / else statement.

   // if the x property of the dog movie clip is equal to 50, then trace "x equals 50", otherwise, trace "x does not equal 50"

   
   if (dog_mc.x == 50) {
     trace("x equals 50");
} else {
     trace("x does not equal 50");
}

6. Operators
   The double equal sign (==) in our if statement is called an Operator. Operators tell the statement how to compare the two variables. Here are some other operators and their descriptions:

   Operator	Description
   ==	equals
   !=	does not equal
   >	greater than
   >=	greater than or equal to
   <	less than
   < =	less than or equal to
   &&	and*
   ||	or*

   *Here are examples of how you would use the && and || operators:

   AND Operator: &&
   // if the x property of dog mc is equal to 50 AND the y property is equal to 50, trace "x and y equal 50"

   if ( (dog_mc.x == 50) && (dog_mc.y == 50) ) {
     trace("x and y equal 50");
}

   OR Operator: ||
   // if the x property of dog mc is equal to 50 OR the x property is equal to 100, trace "x equals 50 or 100"

   if ( (dog_mc.x == 50) || (dog_mc.x == 100) ) {
     trace("x equals 50 or 100");
}

7. Loops
   Loops are used to execute a specific set of items a specific amount of times. There are several types of loops, the most common of which is the For loop.

   for ( var i:Number = 1; i < = 10; i++ ) {
     trace(i);
}

   The first item in the for loop is establishing the counter. We have to declare the variable (var i), the variable type (:Number) and give it a value ( = 1;). This will be the beginning or starting value of the counter.

   Next we need to establish the condition. How many times does the for loop need to run? So we state the the variable i is less than or equal to 10.

   The final piece in the for loop is the action. This tells the loop whether to increase (i++) or decrease (i--). Most often you will only need to increase.

   Try changing the initial counter number, the final number or the action…see what happens!

Resources

Variables & Data Types
Functions
For Loops
General tutorials

Among these many wonderful capabilities lie a few [major] items for consideration. Here are three I can think of off the top of my head:

1. Search Engine Optimization
Google recently announced their new ability to search and index Flash sites (a very exciting!). Their new technology can read any text and most URLs with in Flash. However, because this is only the beginning, they are still not able to guarantee that all text, content, or links will be indexed. Google does a great job of outlining these points here.

2. Purpose and Intention
I am absolutely in love with Flash. However, it is simply not practical to recommend it for every website. Three questions I ask myself when assessing a potential client’s needs are:

1. Can I achieve the same quality of work using HTML/CSS?
2. Would it be easier to build the site and less complicated for the client to update content/images, etc. if we used Flash?
3. What is the project budget? Flash work is typically more costly. Designers/Developers can be more intentional in more ways using Flash which takes more conceptual work and potentially more time in general.

If a site will be information heavy and the content changing frequently, I would most certainly choose PHP/HTML/CSS option (couple with content management, WordPress rocks) over Flash. The site will have better optimization and exposure in searches. Watch this (a little outdated, WordPress 2.7 is most recent, but still relevant). However, for an image heavy or portfolio focused website, Flash would be the way to go, providing faster download speeds and graphic quality (ability to deliver higher resolution images/graphics using less bandwidth).

3. Who Cares?
Websites are an online marketing extension of a business. As with any marketing piece or campaign, the business needs to determine who they are trying to reach. Young? Old? Businesses? Individuals? Corporate? Independent? Savvy? Or..not? Using Flash does not automatically mean your audience needs to be young, savvy and into “flashy” things. Counter to many people’s initial thought, it can be an elegant addition, executed with intention and professionalism. Regardless, a business needs to determine whether or not having a Flash element or a full Flash website will be a value add to their users.

Students take this course winter quarter of their senior year. Flattered and a little taken back, I took a couple days to think about the opportunity presented before me. Initially I was flooded with nervousness (and I hadn’t even said yes!). However, after talking with my dad and a few other close friends, I was encouraged to do so and decided it was something I should not pass up.

I have never taught in a formal setting before. Of course, part of my job is to educate clients about the web, what it’s benefits are and how businesses can leverage online media. I once had a past employer hire me to train my successor on Adobe Flash. This went well, but again, it was fairly informal. Needless to say, I am feeling a little nervous! Nonetheless, I have heard many times that the best way to learn a subject well is by teaching it. (Obviously assuming there is already a sound foundation of understanding on that subject.) Therefore, beginning January 5th, 2009 I will be a bonafide adjunct professor!