Glossary

absolute path

The location of a target symbol instance or other object according to the main Timeline of a Flash movie

ADPCM Compression

A sound compression method used in Flash that is compatible with every version of the Flash plug-in.

ActionScript

Based on the same standard as JavaScript, ActionScript is a simple programming language. Flash designers and developers can use it to customize the behavior of a movie and enhance it with interactivity.

Agent

Term given to the user of a document, be it a human, a web-browser or other machine or software.

Attributes

A characteristic of an object. Synonymous with property. The color attribute of a line may be red.

behavior

An attribute of a symbol that determines how it can be used in a movie. You can assign actions to a symbol with button behavior

bit rate

Used in MP3 compression, it is the amount of information that represents each sound. A higher bit rate improves the quality of a sound but results in a larger file size.

Bitmap

An image format that uses pixels (tiny squares) to compose an image. A bitmap image measures a specific size (e.g., 300 pixels x 150 pixels).

Browser

This is the application most people will use to connect to the 'World Wide Web,' to view websites and to retrieve their Hotmail or Yahoo 'Email.'

BETA version

Term given to an initial release of a test version of a product or project

Compatibility

The ability to work together. A Flash movie that's optimized for the Flash 4 player will be compatible with a Flash 6 player, but a movie that's been optimized for Flash 5, may not be compatible with a Flash 3 player.

contextual menu

A menu of items that modifies itself according to its context. Right-clicking (ctrl-click for Macintosh) on a frame in the Timeline will generate different options than right-clicking on an object placed on the Stage.

Deprecated

When the use of something is discouraged. Flash 5 and Flash MX still support the Tell Target action, but it is deprecated, which means its use is discouraged when it's not needed. However, the use of such deprecated actions is necessary for compatibility with older (pre-Flash 5) players.

DTD

Stands for Document Type Definition, and is the method by which a web-browser knows how to interpret and display the code found on a web-page, as each browser stores a DTD about how to display HTML correctly. Newer browsers like Internet Explorer 5.0 and above 'support' the creation of new DTD's for use in XML applications

Dynamic

The opposite of static. A dynamic Flash movie will behave differently each time it is played, based on user interactions and ActionScript code.

Embed

When one object is integrated into another. A SWF file is embedded into an HTML page. The code to accomplish this is called the EMBED code.

FLA file

The format of work files used in Flash. These files cannot play as a SWF file, but you can export (publish) a SWF file from a FLA file opened in Flash. The convention is to add the .fla file extension to such a file.

Flash

Flash is a product from macromedia used to produce animations on websites. They are especially popular for the web due the movies' low file sizes.

Frames

A method of splitting an HTML page into two or more windows. A good use of frames would be to keep a stationary left-hand navigation menu while the content in the main frame was allowed to scroll.

frame-by-frame animation

An animation created by moving an object little-by-little over several consecutive frames.

FTP

File Transfer Protocol. A popular method for copying files onto a Web server.

Hypertext

Hypertext is the term given to the concept of navigating through a document/s structure by means of linking one document to another from within the body of a document. In this way all documents you view on the World Wide Web are hypertext documents of one kind or another.

HTML

Stands for HyperText Markup Language. This is a standard set by the W3C organisation, by which web-browsers are able to share a common method of displaying Hypertext documents.

group

In Flash, define selected objects as a group to keep them together and ensure that they do not mix with other objects.

hierarchy

The location of different objects relative to each other and to the main Timeline of a Flash movie

interactive

An interactive Flash movie is one that involves the user, usually by clicking on a button or moving the mouse around the window. The user has some control over what happens in an interactive movie.

JavaScript

A popular scripting language that allows you to add interactivity directly to an HTML page. ActionScript is very similar to JavaScript.

keyframe

Special frames that define changes in a Flash movie over time.

layer

An organizational tool in the Flash Timeline. Objects placed on the Stage in one layer will appear in front of objects in a second layer behind it. On the Timeline, objects assigned to the layer names on top will appear in front of objects placed on successive layers.

motion tween

The preferred way to create animation in Flash. If a symbol instance in one keyframe is moved to a different position on the Stage in a second keyframe, a motion tween can apply that change in position gradually through the between frames. A motion tween will apply any changes to a symbol's properties gradually between 2 keyframes, such as color and size.

pixels

Tiny squares that compose an image. Computer displays are broken into a grid of pixels, each assigned a specific color. The pixels are hard to distinguish with the naked eye, but taken together, create the illusion of a continuous image.

plug-in:

A special file that is installed with a web browser to enable it to play Flash movies.

preloader

A section of a Flash movie, usually at the beginning, that ensures that enough of the movie has been downloaded before it will play on.

Shockwave

File format for Macromedia Director files published for the Web.

Shockwave Flash (SWF)

File format for Macromedia Flash files published for the Web.

slash syntax

The use of forward slashes (/) to describe paths to objects. Slash syntax is supported by Flash 3 and later, but deprecated in Flash 5 and Flash MX in favor of dot syntax.

symbol instance

A representation of a symbol that you place on the Stage of a Flash movie.

work area

The area used to create Flash art. It includes the areas adjacent to the Stage.