How to get started with Actionscript?

Question

I would like to learn a bit about using actionscript. I currently know zero about flash and such, so I kind of want to learn a bit so I am not so lost when it comes to this subject. Could someone post some really simple tutorials on how to get started.

Please include:

Development environment needed (IDE, and such)

Something as simple as a Hello World would be fine. At this moment I don't even know the difference between Actionscript and flash.

This topic is incredibly large. Perhaps you could get a more helpful set of responses if you explain what you're trying to accomplish and why you want to use Flash for the purpose. — scriptocalypse
read books - there are some very good ones. SO query "actionscript 3 books". — Chunky Chunk

John Giotta John Giotta · Accepted Answer · 2011-03-07T18:35:01

Get yourself a copy of FlashDevelop
Create a new project
Select from the dialog "AS3 Project"
Open the Main.as file
Save the below

Hit F5 to Test Movie, your first Hello World

package {
    import flash.display.Sprite;
    import flash.events.Event;
    import flash.text.TextField;

    public class Main extends Sprite 
    {
        public function Main():void 
        {
            if (stage) init();
            else addEventListener(Event.ADDED_TO_STAGE, init);
        }
        private function init(e:Event = null):void 
        {
            removeEventListener(Event.ADDED_TO_STAGE, init);
            var txt:TextField = new TextField();
            txt.text = "Hello World";
            addChild(txt);
        }
    }
 }

How to get started with Actionscript?

4 Answers