Learning ActionScript 3.0: A Beginner's Guide

I've been using Flash since it was FutureSplash and while that sounds nice, as
a visual design minded person I've felt each improvement to Actionscript has
also brought with it a certain degree of alienation to non C.S. majors. This
book is exactly what I needed--it does much to bridge the gap and I'm
already enjoying the benefits.

And I mean actually enjoying. I have a fairly decent library of Flash books but
Learning Actionscriipt 3.0 is the first one to transport me back to when I was an eight year old kid
with my first decent book on Basic. Only AS3 is so much more awesome.

I came to this book as a designer interested in learning a little something about ActionScript to help my design work. As result of reading this book I'm spending my free time writing ActionScript.

When I can read a technical book without getting tense or confused, it's a terrific success. The writing is clear and the examples the author chose open up lots of possibilities for projects. I consider myself lucky for finding this book to learn ActionScript.

I think the book does a great job explaining all of the intricate details of OOP for experienced Actionscript users. I have used AS2 for a long time and I was very frustrated how so much had changed in AS3 and I never seemed to find a good book to explain each change. This book does that and more.

In addition to spelling out the advantages of using AS3 and OOP in general, it even takes things a step further by actually DEFINING programming design methodologies that are using in most development based work environments (i.e. Agile, XP, Waterfall, etc.). You know, all of those acronyms and other garbage that people through into job descriptions to intimidate newbies.

I'm inclined to agree that this book may not be suited for beginners to Actionscript, I would strongly recommend that anyone who is learning AS for the first time should grab a beginner's book (maybe a cheap one) and then use this as your professional reference guide. Everything is categorized and color coded for you: Need to attach a sound? Chpt. 13. Need to read XML? Chpt. 14

john

This book is great. I am starting off with AS 3.0 and its a great reference. I feel though sometimes it gets too complicated. Also it does not have many pictures, but the good thing is that the code is color coded. According to my professor who is very into finding books, its the best one out there for AS. I haven;t had a ton of time to look through the book yet, but so far what I see is helpful, just a really boring read.

I'm starting from scratch to learn Flash AS 3 and this book seems to be a very good starting point. I haven't read it through yet, but it's yet been very understandable and there's not too much technical jargon (I have 5+ years of PHP-coding to start with).