Variables, Debugging, Control Structures

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Variables, Debugging, Control Structures
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Topics

• Using variables
• Debugging
• Control structures (if statements)
• The currentFrame property
• Library folders

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Variables/Properties

• Placeholders for information
• Name
• Value
• Type
• Flash Card analogy.
• Flash syntax
• var variableNametype value

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Flash Card Analogy
faceState.text
Im happy
Im sad
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Variable Types
Adapted from CS3 help file
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Using Variables

• When to use
• Awaiting user input/tracking information
• You are using values for the same thing in
  multiple places (kind of a constant).
• MLK project (example)

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If statements

• A kind of control structure (conditions/loops)
• Something we use every day
• Flash syntax
• if(condition)
• // this will run if condition is true.

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Examples

• if(face.currentFrame lt 3)
• faceState.text Im sad.
• / borrowed with permission from Alan Wayman,
  2007based on an .fla file he adapted and sent
  via email. /

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Can be extended (nesting)

• rachelSwimLessons false
• if (rachelMood brave)
• if (weather ! thunder and lightning)
• if (pool open)
• rachelSwimLessons true

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Logical operators

• rachelSwimLessons false
• if (rachelMood brave weather ! thunder
  and lightning pool open)
• rachelSwimLessons true

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Using else if and else

• if(face.currentFrame lt 4)
• faceState.text Im sad.
• else if (face.currentFrame gt 8)
• faceState.text Im happy.
• else
• faceState.text Im ok.
• / borrowed with permission from Alan Wayman,
  2007based on an .fla file he adapted and sent
  via email. /

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Commenting code

• Two options
• // Best for one line comments
• / If you want to have more than one line, then
  you can use this style
• for as
• many lines
• as
• you
• need /

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Debugging

• Control-gtDebug Movie
• Lets you watch variable values (and properties)
• Two kinds of errors
• Logic
• Syntax
• Other option trace()

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Dont forget

• Library folders
• Layer folders