Flash and XML: A Developer's Guide

Description

• Copyright 2002
• Dimensions: 7-3/8" x 9-1/8"
• Pages: 368
• Edition: 1st

• Book
• ISBN-10: 0-201-72920-2
• ISBN-13: 978-0-201-72920-7

Instead of just "gee-whiz" animation or cool user interfaces, Flash pros need to build truly useful sites that are viable for the long-term. That means interfacing Flash with dynamic content, backend databases, server-based applications, and even with other live users. The key to all these is XML. Now, there's a book that shows you exactly how to build enterprise Flash applications that integrate XML -- and leverage its full power. Flash and XML is structured in 19 progressive lessons. In each lesson, the authors teach a key principle of Flash enterprise integration by first explaining it, and then demonstrating it with working code. The book begins with an introduction to Flash and ActionScript that's ideal for working developers, and also serves as a useful refresher for Flash professionals. Next, the authors introduce XML, review the role of HTTP in Web development, and start writing PHP-based server code for accessing back-end data. Next, they show how to extend Flash and server-side systems to a third-tier, connecting with back-end databases via SQL. Every chapter's code samples build on what's come before, constructing a robust application that encompasses client-side Flash code, server-side XML, back-end remote database access, and even emulated "peer-to-peer" connections. For both Flash professionals (with or without XML experience) and software engineers involved in Web development (with or without Flash experience).

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Table of Contents

Preface.

Why this book, who should read it.

Acknowledgments.


1. Flash Basics.

Starting out: Buttons, graphics, text, sound, script.

The Background of Flash.

Practical Flash.

Event-Driven Graphics.

Building a Button.

Constructing a Round.

Making Keyframes.

Constructing the Responses.

Finishing Features.

Conclusion--and Beyond.

2. FlashActionScript: Objects and Events.

Core concepts: Object orientation, event handlers, dynamic text.

Object Orientation Concepts.

Object-Oriented Theory vs. ActionScript Reality.

Flash Objects.

Programmable Button.

Data Encapsulation.

Conclusion.

3. More ActionScript: Data-Driven Interfaces.

Practical work: Thin client, smart graphic elements, exposing data structure.

Data-Driven Decisions.

Data-Driven Everything.

Isolating the Data.

Dynamic Creation of Graphics.

Multiple Questions.

Conclusion.

4. XML Fundamentals.

Big picture: Inspiration, evolution, esthetic, promise.

XML Background.

How XML Works.

Designing the Data.

Conclusion.

5. XML Structure.

Definitions: Elements, names, tags, attributes, content, markup, etc.

Element.

Name.

Start Tag.

End Tag.

Attributes.

Text (Character Data).

Entity References.

Comments.

Processor Instructions.

Conclusion.

6. XML Validation: DTD.

Declaration: Entities, parameters, notations, namespaces.

Purpose of DTD.

Valid XML and Well-Formed XML.

DTD Declarations.

Entities.

Namespace.

Conclusion.

7. HTTP Connection.

Transaction: Request/response, GET, POST, load, variable scope.

Characteristics of HTTP.

Structure of HTTP.

Loading Data from a File.

Making a Self-Loading High Score Display.

Object-Oriented Implementation.

Data File.

Flash Download Security.

Conclusion.

8. XML Connection.

Download: XML files, ActionScript parser, debugger, DOM.

Downloading XML.

XML.load.

Debugging Flash.

Event-Driven Functionality.

Conclusion.

9. Recursive Approach.

Recursion: See Chapter 9.

Event-Driven Code.

Recursive Design.

Recursion.

Recursion in Practice.

Graphic XML Browser.

Interactive Node Viewer.

Conclusion.

10. XML Server.

Two tier: Server-side options, PHP, HTTP header variables.

XML Online.

Dedicated XML Server.

Middle-Tier Solutions.

PHP Basics.

PHP and XML.

XML-Driven Flash Client.

Conclusion.

11. Database Fundamentals.

DBMS 101: Purpose, technology options, relational, rows, columns, keys, joins.

Background.

Advantages of a DBMS.

Advantages of SQL.

Keys.

Conclusion.

12. SQL Syntax.

Practical DB: Building tables, data types, designing queries, getting records.

Varieties of SQL.

Prompt

Tables.

Guidelines for Building a Table.

Types of Data.

Adding Data to Tables.

Reading Records from the Table.

Conclusion.

13. Serving from SQL.

Middle tier: PHP and MySQL, MySQL/functions, results tables.

Connecting to a Database.

Interaction with a Database.

Parsing Commands.

Fetching a Row.

Trial-and-Error Approach.

Scalable Alternative.

Conclusion.

14. XML Upload.

Upload: ActionScript and PHP, HTTP, XML as HTML, XML in browser.

Flash Client.

Uploading to PHP.

Conclusion.

15. Two-Way XML.

Roundtrip: Object exchange, PHP parsing, expat, event-based parser, packet sniffing.

Event-Driven Parsing.

Building the PHP Parser.

Conclusion.

16. Cookies.

Persistence: ActionScript parsing, DOM-based parser, setting cookies, reading cookies.

ActionScript XML Objects.

Stateless Persistence.

Conclusion.

17. Three Tiers.

Three tier: Database, application, client; a flexible system.

Database.

Flexible Middle Tier.

Client Tier.

Conclusion.

18. Flash to the World.

Proxies: Domain perimeter, security, escape, RSS, newsfeeds, content browsing.

Domain Perimeter.

PHP Proxy.

Client.

RSS File.

RSS Browser.

Conclusion.

19. XML Sockets.

Realtime: Socket programming, ports, streaming XML, single-user communications.

Advanced Socket Programming.

XMLSocket.

Simple Socket System.

Simple Socket Server.

Conclusion.

20. Multiplexed XML Sockets.

Multisockets: Scalable, stream servers, multi-user environments, live peer Connections.

Chat.

Client with History.

Multiclient Server.

Beyond PHP.

Conclusion.

End Note.

Upload: ActionScript and PHP, HTTP, XML as HTML, XML in browser.

Appendix A: Microsoft Compatibility.

MS: XML in ASP, MSXML, PHP on IIS

ASP Code with Flash.

IIS and PHP.

Appendix B: Scalable Vector Graphics (SVG).

SVG: Flash without Flash, beyond the swf file

Appendix C: Tools and Sources.

Debuggers, editors, web sites, books, newsgroups, conferences.

Network Tool.

Servers.

XML Tools.

PHP Tools.

MySQL Tools.

Flash.

Index. 0201729202T10222001

Preface

Flash can make fabulous introductions to fancy web sites. High-grade wow factor fills the opening screens. Colors are delicious, typefaces are trendy, and movement is exquisite. Rave music is looping and attitude is everywhere. Each intro is a unique work of art. But they all have one thing in common.

Each has a button that says SKIP INTRO.

Rarely is gratuitous glitz so clearly labeled. When budgets tighten, webmasters will not skip shopping cart, or skip catalog. But they may skip intro.

What's Up?

The web is outgrowing its eye-candy phase, and so must Flash. A web site must be pretty to be viable, but it must be highly functional as well.

Flash pros can't get by on gee-whiz animation or cool interfaces. They'd better prepare to do some of the heavy lifting on the working web. Flash screens must interface with dynamic content, with back-end databases, with server-based applications, and even with other live users.

XML provides a path.

Don't Stop!

Once you connect your Flash code to the outside world, your scope is unbounded. And so is the list of things to learn.

In this book we learn a lot. We begin with Flash and XML. We study networking protocols and PHP server scripting. We learn sockets and SQL and a few fancy XML dialects. We go on to achieve competence in many other related technologies and put them together to build working web systems.

Who Are You?

If you are creative and technical, this book is for you. Maybe you have a design background. You learn whatever technology you need to realize your vision. This book offers you skills that open fresh new worlds. Let's hope your imagination can keep up.

Maybe you have computer science training. You're happy with simple gray buttons. Your art is an elegant code design. You are ready to put Flash to work with all the web technologies you already know.

This book was written by authors who approach Flash from both angles. We want it to speak to both engineers and artists, and we struggled (often with each other) to support both perspectives.

Why?

We wrote this book because it wasn't there when we needed it.

Typographic Conventions

We have adhered to several conventions in this book.

Case Conventions

lowerAndUpperCase is used to name variables and functions in ActionScript

UpperAndLowerCase labels frames and names symbols, objects and constructors.

ALL_UPPER_CASE is used in manifest constants, SQL keywords, PHP globals.

Separated_by_underscores is typically used for PHP names.

Typesetting Conventions

italics indicate names we gave variables, functions, elements, instances, and so on.

codefont shows language keywords and expressions.

codefont is also used to set off the text output of any program.

boldface introduces the first use of an important term.

SMALL CAPS are used for pull-down menu options. Slashes show hierarchy.

"quotes" are reserved for string literals.

These rules are breached occasionally in the book. Sometimes this is for historic reasons, sometimes due to ambiguity and sometimes because it just didn't look right.

Dov and Jesse Jacobson
Berkeley Lake, Georgia
dov@bigfun.net
jesse.jacobson@dartmouth.edu
FlashandXML.com

0201729202P10222001

Index

: (colon), conditional operator values, 44

, (comma), combination operators, 86

( ) (parentheses), combination operators, 86

* (asterisk)

occurrence operators, 86

password fields, creating, 205

| (bar), combination operators, 86

+ (plus sign), occurrence operators, 86

? (question mark), occurrence operators, 86

<!ATTLIST> declaration, 85-86

<!ELEMENT> declaration, 85-86

<? ?> tags (processor instructions), 80

A

absolute URLs, 100

abstraction, markup languages and, 56

access permissions, probing, 107

actions (buttons)

adding to, 9

changing, 12

ActionScript, 2

buttons, adding actions to, 9

decision making capability and, 35-38

encapsulation, 19

event-driven XML parsing, 222-223

loading third party XML, limitations, 271-272

Movie Explorer, 102

node viewer, 137-138

object depth levels, problems with, 47

object instantiation, 24

panels, modes, 9

variables, 13-14

XML comments, 78-79

XMLSocket methods, 298-300

addresses, IP, 276, 295

addressing, targets, 31

ALIAS statement, 184

alignment

buttons, 10-11

enabling HTML checkbox (Text Options), side effects, 39

alternate keys, 165

angle brackets (), XML tags, 71

anonymous username, 231

Answer button (trivia quiz game)

creating, 8

decision making functionality, 36

Answer object (trivia quiz game)

components, 41

XML-driven Flash client, 156-159

XML format, 151-152

AnswerOption objects (trivia quiz game), dynamic creation, 45-49

Answers table (trivia quiz game), MySQL, 173-174

application-level server options, 145-147

application/xml content type, 213

arguments, loadVariables function, 99-100

arrays

associative, 119

childNodes, 115

indexing, 119

nodeTypeName, 129

nodeTypes, mapping to human readable, 129

PHP, 153

question (trivia quiz game), 49-52

scanning, 120

splice( ) method, 49

variables, indexing into arrays, 50

XML element attributes, 73

artifact nodes, 135

ASP (Active Server Pages)

application-level option (servers), 146

compatibility with Flash, 325-328

assignment, variables, 33

associative arrays, 119, 207

XML element attributes, 73

asterisk (*)

occurrence operators, 86

password fields, creating, 205

attachMovie method, 45

attributes

<!ATTLIST> tag, 87-88

node viewer, 137

score (trivia quiz game), 120

start tag syntax, 71

authentication, HTTP, 96

authorization, 96

AUTO_INCREMENT parameters, 164

Avg( ) function, 197

B

back-end tier (servers), 145

bandwidth, XML limitations, 143

bar (|), combination operators, 86

BIGINT data type, 178

binary objects, data types, 179

binding, 276

blank nodes, 133

character filters, 135

node filters, 135-136

BLOB data type, 179

boolean properties, loaded, 113

Border/Bg option, 25

browsers

graphic, 136-138

publish documents, 56

RSS, 283-290

XML, design issues, 62-63

XML tags, stripping, 209-210

buffer control, server-side sockets, 305

button events, 4

button states, compared to button events, 4

buttons

actions, changing, 12

aligning, 10-11

creating, 5-6

decision making functionality, 35

dynamic text fields, 24

encapsulation, adding text, 30

graphic elements, adding, 5-6

instances

creating, 8

naming, 31

options, 25

sounds, adding, 6

spawning dynamically, 45

special text effects, 27-28

states, adding color to, 6

static text, disadvantages, 29

submit (login interface), 206-207

text, adding, 9

variables, disadvantages when adding text, 29

C

callback functions

onLoad, 122

sockets, creating, 301-304

case sensitivity

HTML compared to XML, 81

XML names, 69

CDATA attribute (<!ATTLIST> tag), 87

CelAnimator, 1

<channel> element, 283

ChannelPick MovieClip, 283-285

ChannelView object (RSS browsers), 285-290

CHAR data type, 178

character data (CDATA), 129

character data event (expat parser), 221

character entities, 89

character filters, blank nodes, 135

characters, XML entity references, 76-78

chat applications, 312-313

clients, displaying message histories onscreen, 313-314

childNodes array, 115

chosenAnswer variable (trivia quiz game), 48

classes, 18

classes of DTD entities, 89-91

cleanup, server-side sockets, 306

client-side

cookies and, 245-246

socket programming, 276-280

client tier (servers), 144-145

PHP script for, 265-269

clients

creating for proxies, 280-283

flexible, 35

message histories, displaying onscreen, 313-314

players, validating, 203-207

thin, 35

XML-driven Flash client, 156-159

CLOSE( ) method, 299

code. See also programming

event-driven, 127-128

colons (:), conditional operator values, 44

color, assigning to button states, 6

columns, renaming (MySQL tables), 175

combination operators, <!ELEMENT> tag, 86

comma (,), combination operators, 86

commands

database interaction (PHP), 191-192

database parsing (PHP), 192

databases, listing all, 255

delete, 180-181

fetching fields, 255-256

garbage collection, 194

MySQL_connect, 190

MySQL_pconnect, 190-191

server (PHP), 191

setcookie, 249

update, 180

comment variable (trivia quiz game), associating with answers, 39

comments, XML documents, 78-79

compatibility, Flash and web services, 2

concatenation operator, 149

conditional operators, values, 44

conditional sections (DTDs), 91

conditional testing, recursion and, 130

connect( ) method, 298

constraint parameter, 164

constructors, 20

multiple signatures, lack of, 42-43

parameters, undefined type, 43

XML, 211-212

constructs, 23

content and presentation layers (trivia quiz game), separating, 41-44

content information, HTTP, 97

content rules, <!ELEMENT> tag, 85-86

content types, HTTP and XML, 212-214

contentType property, authorization login, 230-234

cookies, 96, 242

client-side and, 245-246

coding, overview, 244

persistent cookies, 243

privacy concerns, 243

server-side and, 246-249

XML, coding, 244-245

coordinate system (MovieClip), 138

Count( ) function, 197

CPU usage, controlling on multiclient servers, 319

CULT XML socket server, 332

current elements, PHP arrays, 153

D

data-driven decisions, 35-38

data islands, 210-211

data structures, as documents, 60

data types, 23. See also types

binary objects, 179

ENUM, 179

floating-point numbers, 178

integers, 177-178

SET, 179

strings, 178

temporal, 179

database design, three-tiered application design, 254

databases, 163

connecting to (PHP), 189-191

DBMS, advantages of, 162-163

fetching information, 254-256

interaction commands (PHP), 191-192

joins, 165-169

keys, 164-165

listing all, 255

parsing commands (PHP), 192

questions, storing in external file, 161

rows, fetching, 192-194

scalability, indexes and, 162

XML servers and, 144

DATE data type, 179

DATETIME data type, 179

DBMS (Database Management System), 145

advantages, 162-163

SQL, advantages of, 163-164

debugger, 114-116

XML, 119

debugging Flash, 114-122

DECIMAL data type, 178

declarations

<!ATTLIST>, 85-86

<!ELEMENT>, 85-86

DTD, 85-88

DTD entities, 89

Element root node, 115

global variables (PHP), 208

variables, 13-14

default event (expat parser), 222

delete command, 180-181

MySQL tables, 180-181

depth levels, setting, 46-47

describe keyword, 175

<description> element, 283

design issues

industry standards, 64

PHP middle tier database interaction program, 257-261

recursive design, 128-130

XML, browsers, 62-63

destroying objects, 47

Director, 1

display

connection errors, suppressing, 191

fonts, 114

display code, function calls, 129

DNS (domain name servers), 276

document entities, 88

Document Object Mode (DOM), 111

Document Type Definition. See DTD

documents

data structures, 60

HTML, 56-59

parsers, 62

publishing, 56-57

SGML (Standard Generalized Markup Language), 55-56

XML, 59-62

comments, 78-79

entity references, 76-78

text (character data), 74-76

XML notations, 90-91

XML processor instructions, 79-81

DOM-based XML parsing, 219-221

DOM (Document Object Mode), 111

domain names, 295-296

domain perimeter, 271-272

DOUBLE data type, 178

downloading

reassuring users with continued activity during, 100

security, 106-107

XML, 111-112

draggable node hierarchies, 139-140

drop shadow, 28

DTD (Document Type Definition), 83

competing technologies, 84

conditional sections, 91

debugging with, 118-119

declarations, 85-88

entities, 88-91

namespaces, 91-92

notations, 90-91

PHP generated XML files, 152-153

purpose, 83-84

dynamic creation of graphics, 45-49

dynamic IP addresses, 295

Dynamic Text, 14

dynamic text, 121

dynamic text fields, 24, 39

E

each( ) function (PHP), 153

each( ) keyword (PHP), associative arrays, 207

echo statements, length limits (PHP), 150

ECMA-262 (web scripting standard), 2

EditML, 332

element nodes

tags and, 116

trace statement, 117

elements

attributes, 73-74

names, 69-70

rules for, 68-69

tags, 68

XML (eXtensible Markup Language), 67-69

XML structure, 61

empty elements (XML), syntax, 68

empty nodes, 135

encapsulation, 19

advantages, 30

end element event (expat parser), 221

end tag, 72-73

entities

classes, 89-91

DTD, 88-91

ENTITIES attribute (<!ATTLIST> tag), 87

ENTITY attribute (<!ATTLIST> tag), 87

entity references, XML documents, 76-78

enum data types, 179

enumerated lists, <!ATTLIST> tag, 88

ephemeral port assignments, 297

errors

constraint parameters, 164

displaying, getText( ) function, 239-240

server connections, 191

stack overflow, 131-132

Unix codes, server-side sockets, 304-305

eval( ) operator, 118

event-driven code, 127-128

event-driven functionality, 122-124

event-driven XML parsing, 219-225

event handlers, 4-5, 127-128

onConnect, 299

events

button events, 4

event handlers, 4-5

expat parser, 221-222

frame events, 3

mouse events, 4

execution context, 122-123

expat (XML parser), 219, 221-222

Expert mode (ActionScript panel), 9

extension, 19-20

external entity event (expat parser), 221-222

external references, XML, 223-224

F

factorial functions, 130

feature creep, 121

fetch_field command, properties, 266-256

fetching rows (PHP), 192-194

field objects, PHP client tier script, 267-269

fields

buttons, dynamic text, 24

dynamic text, 39

password input, 203-206

files

highscore.txt, 112

highscore_winner.xml, 124

highscore.xml, 111-112

loading data from, 99-100

RSS, 283

XML data storage, advantages, 143

filters, blank nodes, 133-136

#FIXED attribute (<!ATTLIST> tag), 88

flags, Element root node, 115

Flags function, 256

Flash

background, 1-2

compatibility with ASP (Active Server Pages), 325-328

debugging in, 114-122

download security, 106-107

DTD, debugging with, 118-119

event-driven XML parsing, 223-224

event handlers, 4-5

frame events, 3

implementation of object-oriented programming, 20-22

mouse events, 4

new code, debugging, 117-118

players, validating, 203-207

resources, 333-335

trace statements, 116-117

web services, compatibility, 2

XML debugger, 119

XML-driven client, 156-159

flexible clients, 35

FLOAT data type, 178

floating-point numbers, data types, 178

fonts, 114

subsets, advantages of using, 25-26

for statement, array scanning, 120

foreign keys, 165

MySQL, 174

foreign languages, PHP script and, 155

formatting

markup languages, 55

PHP script, 154

fps (frames per second), 3

fragmentation (memory), destroying objects and, 48

frame events, 3

frames. See keyframes

frames per second (fps), 3

FROM statements, 181-182

full-duplex bidirectional connections, 294

function calls, display code, 128-129

functions

callback, onLoad, 122

callback (sockets), 301-304

constructors (objects), 20

data, uploading specific, 209-210

each( ), 153

extracting content from XML string, 273-274

factorial, 130

load failures, handling, 237-238

loadVariables, 99-100, 118

MySQL, querying databases, 197

recursive, 131

sendAndLoadRemote( ), 280-281

shownode, 132

stack, 131-132

string.split( ), 135

submit( ), 206-207

trace( ), 132

FutureSplash, 1

G

garbage collection, 194-195

GET (HTTP upstream transfers), 98-99

files, loading data from, 99-100

getText( ) function, displaying errors, 239-240

global variables, declaring (PHP), 208

Goldfarb, Dr. Charles, 55-56

graphic elements, buttons, adding to, 5-6

graphic XML browser, 136-138

graphics

dynamic creation, 45-49

SVG (Scalable Vector Graphics) standard, 329-330

GROUP BY statement, 183

H

handlers, PHP parser, 225-230

hashes, 119, 207

HAVING statement, 183

header information, HTTP, 97-98

headers, HTTP, cookies and, 248

hierarchies

nodes (draggable), 139-140

XML elements, 67-69

highscore MovieClip (trivia quiz game)

adding local score functionality, 108-109

adding to game, 108

creating, 101-102

data file, 104-105

object-oriented techniques, 103-104

probing access permissions with, 107

upgrading, 123-124

highscore.txt (trivia quiz game), 112

highscore_winner.xml file (trivia quiz game), 124

highscore.xml file (trivia quiz game), 111-112

hsml object (trivia quiz game), 123-124

HTML (Hypertext markup Language), 56-59

compared to XML, 81

headers, compared to HTTP headers, 98

HTML option (Text Options)

enabling, side effects of, 39

special text effects, 25

HTTP channel, clearing, 305

HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol)

characteristics of, 95-97

content types, 212-214

end of request methods, 278

files, loading data from, 99-100

headers, cookies and, 248

port assignment, 276

structure, 97-98

upstream transfer, 98-99

$HTTP_SERVER_VARS variable, 153

I

ID attribute (<!ATTLIST> tag), 87

IDREF attribute (<!ATTLIST> tag), 87

ignoreUnit property, 133

ignoreWhite property, node filters, 136

IIS (Internet Information Server), PHP support, 328

#IMPLIED attribute (<!ATTLIST> tag), 88

indentation strings, 133

indexes

associative arrays, 207

fetching data and, 254

scalability and (databases), 162

indexing, arrays, 119

industry standards, design issues, 64

inheritance, 19

creating, 21-22

Init frame (MovieClips), 237

initializing

objects, multiple signatures and, 42-43

variables, this keyword, 20

inner joins, 167

input fields, passwords, 203-206

instances of objects, 4

buttons, naming, 31

instantiating objects from Library panel, 45

instantiation

buttons, 8

constructors, 20

objects, 18, 24

INT data type, 178

INTEGER data type, 178

integers, data types, 177-178

interactive node viewer, 139-141

interface, username/password, 203-206

internal general entities, 89-90

IP addresses, 276, 295

<item> element, 283

J

joins, 165-169

creating (MySQL), 185-186

JSP (Java Server Pages), application-level option (servers), 146

K

keyframes

creating, 8-11

organizing, 40

keys, arrays, indexing, 119

keywords

describe, 175

each( ) (associative arrays), 207

list( ), 153

list( ) (associative arrays), 207

new, 20

this, 20

L

lastChild object, 115-116

layers

Code, creating, 8

organizing, 40

Sound, creating, 6

leaf nodes, 116

left outer joins, 167-168

Len function, 256

library, instantiating objects, 45

<link> element, 283

list( ) keyword (PHP), 153

associative arrays, 207

listening socket, 307

load failures, handling, 237-238

loaded (boolean property), 113

loadVariables function, 99-100, 118

logic, data-driven decisions, 35-38

logins

players, validating, 203-207

submit button, creating, 206-207

LONGBLOB data type, 179

LONGTEXT data type, 178

Loop frame (MovieClips), 237

loops

arrays, 49

recursive functions, 131

tree-walking, 132

Lose state (trivia quiz game), 11-12

M

markup languages

HTML, 56-59

publishing and, 56-57

SGML (Standard Generalized Markup Language), 55

XML, 59-62

Max( ) function, 197

MEDIUMBLOB data type, 179

MEDIUMINT data type, 178

MEDIUMTEXT data type, 178

memory

garbage collection, 194-195

objects, destroying, 47

stack, 131-132

messaging socket, 308-309

methods, 18-19

attachMovie, 45

predefined, 23

removeMovieClip, 48

splice( ), 49

toString, 114

XML.load, 112-114

middle tier (servers), 145

application-level options, 145-147

PHP script for, 257-261

PHP script for, explanation of, 261-265

Min( ) function, 197

mouse events, 4

Movie Clip symbols, creating, 8

Movie Explorer, 102

MovieClip objects, 23

attachMovie method, 46

ChannelPick, 283-285

coordinate system, 138

frames, dividing into, 237

instantiation, 24

memory, removing from, 48

namespaces, 31

presentation functionality, 41-44

self-loading, creating, 101-102

multiple signatures, constructors and, 42-43

multiplexed servers, 311

chat applications, 312-313

clients, displaying message histories onscreen, 313-314

multiclient servers, programming, 314-319

programming options, 319-312

MySQL, 163, 171

Answers table (trivia quiz game), 173-174

foreign keys, 174

joins, creating, 185-186

logging in, 171-172

MySQLEditor, 333

query resultants, 192

Questions table (trivia quiz game), 173-174

tables

adding data, 179-181

altering, 175

creating, 172-174

reading records, 181-186

MySQL_connect command, 190

MySQL_pconnect command, 190-191

N

Name function, 256

names

node viewer, 137

XML elements, 69-70

namespaces, 30

DTDs, 91-92

naming, button instances, 31

natural joins, 167

nesting

HTML compared to XML, 81

nodes, 140

new keyword, 20

NEW SYMBOL function, buttons, creating, 5

news feeds, RSS files, 283

NMTOKEN attribute (<!ATTLIST> tag), 88

NMTOKENS attribute (<!ATTLIST> tag), 88

node filters, 135

node viewer, 136-138

ActionScript, 137-138

interactive, 139-141

opening/closing branches, 140-141

nodes

artifact nodes, 135

blank, 133

draggable hierarchies, 139-140

empty, 135

leaf, 116

nesting, 140

relationships, 138

text, 136

text in XML documents, 75

XML elements, 67

nodeTypeName array, 129

nodeTypes array, mapping to human readable, 129

Normal mode (ActionScript panel), 9

notation declaration event (expat parser), 222

notations, XML documents, 90-91

NULL values, 164

numbers

floating-point data types, 178

integer data types, 177-178

numeric data type, 178

O

Object Actions, 4-5

buttons, adding to, 9

object-oriented programming

classes, 18

encapsulation, 19

extension, 19-20

Flash implementation of, 20-22

inheritance, 19

instances, 18

methods, 18-19

objects, 17-18

properties, 18

objects

aligning, 10-11

Answer (trivia quiz game), components, 41

AnswerOption (trivia quiz game), dynamic creation, 45-49

array, splice( ) method, 49

ChannelView (RSS browsers), 285-290

classes, 18

creating, constructors, 20

data, adding, 32-33

data types, 23

defining, 23

depth level, setting, 46-47

destroying, 47

encapsulation, 19

extension, 19-20

inheritance, 19

creating, 21-22

initialization, multiple constructors, 42-43

instances, 4, 18

instantiation, 18, 24

Library panel, 45

lastChild, 115-116

methods, 18-19

MovieClips, 23

presentation functionality, 41

nesting nodes, 140

object-oriented programming, 17-18

parameters, undefined type, 43

predefined, 22

properties, 18

prototypes, 21-22

question and answer, XML format, 151-152

question (trivia quiz game), 38-41

round, adding presentation data to, 41

scalar variables, 114

smart decision making, 36

symbols, 23-24

system constructs, 23

targets, 31

trivia quiz game, 22

occurrence operators

* (asterisk), 86

<!ELEMENT> tag, 86

+ (plus sign), 86

? (question mark), 86

onClose( ) method, 299

onConnect event handler, 299

onLoad callback function, 122

recursion and, 132

onLoad handler, 158-159

onload handler, 237-238

onXML function, 300

operators

<!ELEMENT> tag content rules, 85-86

concatenation, 149

conditional, values, 44

eval( ), 118

ORDER BY statement, 183-184

outer joins, 167-168

output, PHP, 147-148

output filters, blank nodes, 133-135

P

packet sniffers, 233-234

Iris, 331-332

parameter entities, 91

parameters

database table (trivia quiz game), 164

depth levels, setting, 46-47

passing, 277

servers, connecting to, 190

setcookie command, 249

undefined type, 43

parentheses ( () ), combination operators, 86

parsers, 62

PHP, creating, 225-234

XML comments, 78

parsing

commands (PHP), 192

XML, event-driven, 219-225

passing parameters, 277

passwords, 96

authentication, contentType property, 230-234

echoing, preventing, 203-206

Perl, application-level option (servers), 146

permissions, probing, 107

persistent connections, servers, 190-191

persistent cookies, 243

PHP

application-level option (servers), 146-147

associative arrays, 207

database interaction commands, 191-192

database parsing commands, 192

databases, connecting to, 189-191

each( ) function, 153

foreign languages and, 155

formatting script, 154

garbage collection, 194-195

$HTTP_SERVER_VARS variable, 153

IIS support for, 328

list( ) keyword, 153

middle tier client design, 265-269

middle tier design, 257-261

output, 147-148

parser, creating, 225-234

persistent server connections, 190-191

PHP Coder, 333

pointers, 153

proxies, creating, 272-280

questions, selecting, 195-199

server commands, 191

server-side, cookies and, 246-249

string operations, 149-150

variables, 148-149

XML files, creating, 150-156

XML string, uploading, 207-208

platform compatibility, design issues, 62-63

players, validating, 203-207

plus sign (+), occurrence operators, 86

pointers

PHP, 153

question (trivia quiz game), advancing, 51

points variable (trivia quiz game), refreshing, 52

polling, 103

port numbers, 296-297

ephemeral port assignments, 297

privileged processes, 297

user processes, 297

ports, 276

POST (HTTP upstream transfers), 98-99

XML string, uploading, 207-208

predefined entities, XML, 88-89

predefined methods, 23

predefined objects, 22

predefined properties, 24

preloaders, Internet downloads, 100

presentation and content layers (trivia quiz game), separating, 41-44

primary keys, 164-165

privacy concerns, cookies, 243

privileged processes, 297

processing instruction event (expat parser), 221

processor instructions, XML documents, 79-81

programming

client-side sockets, 276-280

coding cookies, 244

guidelines, 7

markup languages, 55

multiclient servers, 314-319

PHP proxies, 273-276

polling, 103

server-side sockets, 304-309

projectors (standalone Flash programs), 106

properties, 18

contentType (authorization login), 230-234

ignoreUnit, 133

ignoreWhite, 136

loaded (boolean), 113

predefined, 23

prototypes, objects, 21-22

proxies, PHP, creating, 272-280

<proxy-request> element, 281

<proxy-target> element, 281

proxy transparency, 280

publishing, markup languages and, 56-57

Q

queries

compound, 254

resultants, 192

question arrays (trivia quiz game), 49-52

question mark (?), occurrence operators, 86

Question object (trivia quiz game), XML-driven Flash client, 156-159

question object (trivia quiz game), 38-41

question objects, XML format, 151-152

question pointer (trivia quiz game), advancing, 51

Questions table (trivia quiz game)

joins, 165-169

MySQL, 173-174

questions (trivia quiz game)

selecting from database, 195-199

selecting from database, alternative method, 199-201

R

RDBMS (Relational Database Management System), 163

REAL data type, 178

records, reading (MySQL tables), 181-186

recursion

indentation strings, 133

overview, 130

practical use of, 132

recursive design, 128-130

recursive functions, 131

stack overflow, 131-132

relational databases, operation, 169

relationships

MovieClip coordinate system, 138

node viewer, 137

nodes, 138

relative URLs, 100

removeMovieClip method, 48

#REQUIRED attribute (<!ATTLIST> tag), 88

right outer joins, 167-168

root node, debugger, 115

rounds (trivia quiz game)

creating, 6-8

presentation data, adding, 41

rows

counting returned, 193

fetching, 192-194

RSS browsers, 283-290

RSS files, 283

rtf (rich text formatting), 56

rules

end tags, 72-73

processor instructions, 80-81

start tag, 71

text (character data), 75-76

XML comments, 79

XML element attributes, 74

XML element names, 69-70

XML elements, 68-69

XML entity references, 77-78

S

sandbox (download security), 106

scalability, indexes and (databases), 162

scalar variables, assigning objects to, 114

scanning arrays, 120

Schema (Microsoft), 84

score attribute (trivia quiz game), 120

score variable (trivia quiz game), setting, 38

scoring, local score functionality, adding to trivia quiz game, 108-109

scoring capability (trivia quiz game), 13-15

scripting

ECMA-262 standard, 2

formatting in PHP, 154

secure sockets, 96-97

security

authentication, 96

authorization, 96

cookies, concerns about, 243

downloading, 106-107

loading third party XML, 271-272

secure sockets, 96-97

XML limitations, 143-144

SELECT statement, 181

Selectable option, 25

self joins, 167

send( ) function, uploading specific data, 209-210

Send( ) method, 299

sendAndLoadRemote( ) function, 280-281

server commands, PHP, 191

server-side

cookies and, 246-249

sockets, 294

accepting connections, 307-308

sockets, programming, 304-309

XML processing, 214

servers

back-end tier, 145

client tiers, 144-145

connecting to (PHP), 190

connection errors, 191

creating, three tier solutions, 144-147

CULT XML socket server, 332

middle tier, 145

multiplexed, 311

persistent connections, 190-191

XML, advantages, 144

SET data types, 179

setcookie command, parameters, 249

SGML (Standard Generalized Markup Language), 55-56

shownode function, 132

showtime( ) function, upgrading, 237-238

signatures, constructors and, 42-43

sleep( ) function, 318-319

SMALLINT data type, 178

Smart Sketch, 1

sockets

callback functions, creating, 301-304

client-side programming, 276-280

domain names, 295-296

IP addresses, 295

overview, 276, 294

server-side, 294

sounds, adding to buttons, 6

special text effects, 25

drop shadow, 28

leveraging past work, 27-28

splice( ) method, 49

SQL

advantages, 163-164

compared to XML, 144

SQL (Structured Query Language), types of, 171

stack

functions, 131-132

loops, 131

stack overflow, 131-132

Standard Generalized Markup Language (SGML), 55-56

start element event (expat parser), 221

Start keyframe (trivia quiz game), 8

start tag, 70-71

statelessness, HTTP, 95-96

statements

FROM, 181-182

ALIAS, 184

echo (length limits), 150

GROUP BY, 183

HAVING, 183

ORDER BY, 183-184

SELECT, 181

trace, 116-117

WHERE, 182-183

states

buttons, assigning color to, 6

thinking, 36-38

wait, 36-38

static IP addresses, 295

static text, buttons, 29

stop( ) command, 8

string operations, PHP, 149-150

strings

associative array indexes, 207

data types, 178

indentation, 133

XML, functions for extracting content, 273-274

string.split( ) function, 135

structure, XML (eXtensible Markup Language), 61

subdomains, 271-272

submit( ) function, 206-207, 240

submit button, PHP script, 265-266

Sum( ) function, 197

SVG (Scalable Vector Graphics) standard, 329-330

symbols, 23-24

<!ELEMENT> tag content rules, 85-86

button, creating, 5

Movie Clip, creating, 8

syntax

end tags, 72

MySQL

creating tables, 172

logging in, 171-172

start tags, 71

text (character data), 75

XML, 67-68

comments, 79

element attributes, 73

element names, 69-70

entity references, 77

T

Table function, 256

tables

describe keyword, 175

HTML, 58-59

joins, 165-169

MySQL

adding data, 179-181

altering, 175

creating in, 172-174

guidelines for creating, 176-177

reading records, 181-186

tables (database), trivia quiz game, 164

tags

element nodes, 116

end, 72-73

processor instructions, 80

start, 70-71

<XML>, 210-211

XML elements, 68

targets, 31

Tcl, 320-321

temporal data types, 179

testing

movies, 13

tools, packet sniffers, 233

text

buttons, adding to, 9, 24, 29-30

CDATA, 129

special effects, 25

drop shadow, 28

leveraging past work, 27-28

XML documents, 74-76

TEXT data type, 178

text nodes, 136

Text Options (HTML option), special text effects, 25

Text tool, 9

text variable, values, assigning, 26

text variable (trivia quiz game), 38-41

text/xml content type, 213

thin clients, 35

thinking state, 36-38

third parties, XML, loading from, 271-272

this keyword, 20

this.highscore, 112

three-tiered application design

compound queries, 254

database design, 254

throbbers, Internet downloads, 100

TIME data type, 179

time limits (server-side sockets, 306-307

TIMEOUT parameters, 277

TIMESTAMP data type, 179

TINYBLOB data type, 179

TINYINT data type, 178

TINYTEXT data type, 178

<title> element, 283

tools

Iris (packet sniffer), 331-332

Text, 9

toString method, 114

trace( ) function, 132

trace statements, 116-117

tree parsers, 219

tree-walking, 132

trivia quiz game

AnswerOption objects, dynamic creation, 45-49

buttons, adding to keyframes, 8

chosenAnswer variable, 48

comment variable, associating answers with, 39

content and presentation components, separating, 41-44

data loading capability, adding, 99-100

database elements, 164

decision making functionality, 36

design, 2-3

highscore feature, adding, 108

highscore object data file, 104-105

highscore self-loading display, 101-102

layers, organizing, 40

Lose state, 11-12

objects, 22

points variable, refreshing, 52

question arrays, 49-52

question object, creating, 38-41

question pointer, advancing, 51

questions, storing in external file, 161

Questions and Answers tables (MySQL), 173-174

Questions table, joins, 165-169

rounds, creating, 6-8

score attribute, 120

score variable, setting, 38

scoring capability, adding, 13-15

selecting questions from database, 195-199

selecting questions from database, alternative method, 199-210

Start keyframe, 8

text variable, 38-41

whichquestion variable, 50

Win state, 13

XML-driven Flash client, 156-159

Type function, 256

types. See also data types

<!ATTLIST> tag attributes, 87-88

U

undefined type parameters, 43

Unicode, XML element names, 69

UNIQUE parameter, 164

Unix

error codes, server-side sockets, 304-305

MySQL log in, 171-172

unparsed entities, 90-91

unparsed entity event (expat parser), 222

update command, MySQL tables, 180

upstream HTTP transfer, 98-99

urlencoding, 111

URLs

absolute/relative identifiers, 100

domain names, 295-296

domain perimeter security, 271

HTTP and XML content types, 212-214

user processes, 297

username/password interface, 203-206

users

design issues concerning, 63-64

V

valid XML, 84-85

compared to well-formed, 62

validation

new players, 203-207

XML, 61

values

conditional operators, 44

database table (trivia quiz game), 164

node viewer, 137

VARCHAR data type, 178

variables

arrays, indexing into, 50

assignment, 33

buttons, disadvantages when adding text, 29

chosenAnswer (trivia quiz game), 48

comment (trivia quiz game), associating answers with, 39

decision making and, 35-36

declaring, 13-14

global, declaring, 208

$HTTP_SERVER_VARS, 153

initializing, this keyword, 20

PHP, 148-149

points (trivia quiz game), refreshing, 52

POST (HTTP transfers), 99

scalar, assigning objects to, 114

score (trivia quiz game), setting, 38

text, assigning values, 26-27

text (trivia quiz game), 38-41

whichquestion (trivia quiz game), 50

writing to, 33

vector drawing, advantages, 1

vocabularies, XML (eXtensible Markup Language), 61

W

wait state, 36-38

web scripting, ECMA-262 standard, 2

well-formed XML, 84

compared to valid, 62

WHERE statements, 182-183

whichquestion variable (trivia quiz game), 50

whitespace, 118

indentation, 133

Win state (trivia quiz game), 13

World Wide Web, HTML and, 57

X

XHTML, 81

XML debugger, 119

XML (eXtensible Markup Language)

advantages/disadvantages, 143-144

background, 55-60

browsers, stripping tags, 209-210

case sensitivity, 69

comments, 78-79

compared to HTML, 81

constructors, 211-212

content types, 212-214

cookies, coding, 244-245

creating with PHP, 150-156

data islands, 210-211

design issues, browsers, 62-63

documents, text (character data), 74-76

downloading, 111-112

DTD, 83

element names, 69-70

elements, 67-69

end tags, 72-73

entity references, 76-78

external references, 223-224

Flash nodes, 67

language, 61

nesting nodes, 140

notations, 90-91

overview, 59-60

POST, uploading to PHP, 207-208

predefined entities, 88-89

principles, 60

processor instructions, 79-81

send( ) function, 209-210

server-side processing, 214

start tag, 70-71

syntax, 67-68

tags, 68

third party, loading from, 271-272

tools, 332-333

Unicode support, 69

validation, 84-85

vocabularies, 61

well-formed compared to valid, 62

XML graphic browser, 136-138

XML methods, calling other methods, 238

XML Notepad (Microsoft), 332-333

XML object, 22

XML parsers, expat, 219, 221-222

XML servers, advantages of, 144

XML Spy, 332

<XML> tag, 210-211

xmlAccept( ) function, 239

xmlDeny( ) function, 239

XML.load method, 112-114

XMLSocket, ActionScript methods, 298-300

xmltrace, event-driven code, 127-128

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