Spotlight customer reviews:
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Customer Rating:  
Summary: NOT FOR BEGINNERS (or even intermediates)
Comment: Now, I consider myself fairly versed in ActionScript 2.0, so I bought this book to get acquainted with ActionScript 3.0. 75 pages in and I'm completely lost.
The vocabulary is hard to comprehend without previous programming experience, the instructions are awkward, incomplete and badly explained. Throughout, the author adds more code to the instructions with no explanation as to why he is doing it, then removes it several steps later. From the start, this makes his instructions nearly impossible to follow because its hard to tell what he's actually doing and what he's hypothetically doing or suggesting that you could do.
As a graphic designer, I wanted to become more versed in the technical side of Flash and thought this book was the essential resource on 3.0, so I was expecting some pretty dry language and material. But, every time I pick this thing up, I get so frustrated and have to stop after only a few pages. Granted, I haven't even scratched the surface of this book and may learn to love it later, but as of right now, I would almost certainly send it back for a more basic reference that I could actually understand (had my girlfriend's stupid cats not gotten a hold of it and chewed the cover to shreds).
Certainly not recommended for anyone who is not EXTREMELY well-versed in programming language. And while I'm at it, how about a (current) ActionScript dictionary???
Customer Rating:
Summary: Provides a solid understanding and foundation of Actionscript 3.0
Comment: This book is a great resource for anyone wishing to gain a solid understanding of Actionscript 3.0. Colin Moock taught me Actionscript from scratch, and inspired me to continue my development with enthusiasm and confidence. If you are serious about learning Actionscript 3.0, whether as a beginner, or as a seasoned coder making a migration from Actionscript 2, but don't know where to really start, then use this book as your definitive resource as an introduction and in concert with any others you feel comfortable with.
For those just beginning in Actionscript 3 or object oriented programming (OOP), Colin Moock provides a thorough, yet easy-to-understand introduction to core concepts and theories while providing a methodic and detailed study of the areas of Actionscript that are essential to writing great code. While this book may seem a bit intimidating to the beginner that wants to just jump in a start coding right away, the payoff and value of this title becomes apparent by the end of the introduction and first chapter on Core Concepts. The reader is introduced to the history, main concepts, terms, definitions, and processes that go into grasping and writing code with Actionscript. I had no real programming experience prior to reading this book, but was able to read (and understand) Actionscript within the first 100 pages. But this title is also great for those who are already proficient in Actionscript 2, and need to learn enough about AS3 to make a smooth migration while maintaining the leverage of their experience and command of AS2. Colin points out key differences between AS2 and AS3 in a way that is non-threatening. Actionscript 3 is basically a new language compared to AS2; it is a full-fledged object oriented programming language with strict rules and syntax. But it is presented here in a way that is inspiring instead of intimidating.
This title will go into more depth than any video training or book you will find on the subject. Colin presents his lessons step-by-step using a 'Virtual Zoo' program that evolves from chapter to chapter as your understanding of the topic progresses. Most chapters are relatively easy to digest, but require you to think...and process the information for a while...to fully absorb the concepts that were just presented. Each chapter progresses a bit on the previous chapters. Beginners and seasoned coders alike will start to notice that many of the questions you were afraid to ask elsewhere, are answered here. More importantly, as you read each chapter, Colin masterfully presents information that has you asking questions that become answered within a few pages or chapters. He even points out where to find the information in later chapters in case you become curious to explore a topic that you are currently reading through. I found that i could only read through about 50-100 pages per day if i really pushed myself; not because the concepts or writing style were too difficult, but rather because Colin Moock presents complex information in such a way that inspired me to peer beneath the surface and really contemplate what I had just read. If you are serious about learning Actionscript, you will do yourself the favor of allowing yourself the time to absorb the key concepts presented in this book.
Essential Actionscript 3.0 is divided into three main parts:
I. Core concepts and an introduction to foundation Actionscript terms and elements. This basically runs provides an in-depth exploration of Actionscript from it's inception to the latest release in 3.0. You will learn what a function is, and how to write one while distinguishing the subtle difference between a method and function. Colin presents topics such as conditionals and loops, variables and methods, inheritance, data types, interfaces, statements and operators, arrays, event handling, scope, namespaces, and working with XML while quickly providing you with the ability to read and write AS3 using dot syntax. You'll completely understand how to write a class and a package, and how to organize them easily. I promise you will feel very confident in your understanding of AS3 by the middle of this section. You will feel like you can read any AS3 code and understand what's going on, and whether it is re-usable code, or whether it was slapped together by someone trying to just get something done. You will likely understand by this point, that writing Actionscript is both an art and a science--and that every coder has his or her own style. The key to this book is that it gets you to a point where you can start to develop your own style without wondering if you have a firm grasp on the Actionscript language. You will be at a point where you can feel comfortable tackling any code or concept without being intimidated. More importantly, you will learn that there is a simple pattern and set of rules for reading and writing solid Actionscript code. Once you get to this point, you'll feel like nothing is too complex to understand or develop.
II. Display and Interactivity. This section introduces and explores concepts necessary to create display elements and interactivity to your code using Actionscript 3.0's new display API and display list. The display list is new in AS3, and Colin explains why it is much more powerful, and ultimately easier to work with than in previous versions of Actionscript. Moock walks you through handling events and display hierarchies...discussing the event model and event flow. You will learn to write custom events with confidence, or at least understand them well-enough to know the questions to ask if you get stuck. Next, he moves on to adding interactivity with mouse and keyboard events...and more advanced events. You will be introduced thoroughly to programmatic animation, drawing with vectors, using bitmap data from loaded and external sources, working with static and dynamic text objects, and loading external display assets.
III. Applied Actionscript Topics. This section ties all that has been explored through this title together in a manner that you will understand when it comes to applying it to real-world projects. Colin doesn't leave you hanging with just a great introduction to key concepts; he shows you how to apply it...how to think logically when you approach applying it. And, he shows you how to write classes of code so they are reusable, and how to organize them so you can share easily with other programmers.
This book is not the only book on Actionscript you will ever need. You'll want to learn about design patterns in OOP and Actionscript. And it may not be the first resource for gaining an introduction to Actionscript 3. But once you have a basic understanding or interest in coding with Actionscript, this book becomes an invaluable tool. It will provide you with in-depth answers to questions that you won't get from video training or classroom lessons, or may feel intimidated by asking at user groups or workshops. In fact, you will get more from such training once you've read through this book, or parts of it. I have found that many seasoned Actionscript developers lack much of the understanding that come with reading through this book. In short, reading Essential Actionscript 3.0 by Colin Moock will accelerate your learning curve and evolution as a serious Actionscript developer. You will feel a sense of accomplishment just by gaining insight into a topic you previously may have thought too intimidating or daunting. You will realize that your journey as a programmer has just begun. But you will progress and grow with more confidence, and get more from any other source, by having read this book first.
After reading this book, I felt like I was on my way to becoming a successful Actionscript developer. And you will, too.
Customer Rating:
Summary: A lot of content...but so @#&% frustrating
Comment: First off, I agree with previous reviews that said its overwhelming for a LOT of people. That first chapter is a doozy.
Where I also have a problem with this book is how it instructs. I've been able to follow along with the coding but the author's explanation and instruction are lacking. Its obvious that he is very knowledgeable but he doesn't do a good job of passing that knowledge on. He's all over the place, explaining some things in depth, but not touching on other things you'll have questions about. At times it will feel like he is totally scatter-brained or ADD because he'll be going on about something inconsequential, while ignoring something else that you really want the answer to. Despite it being 900+ pages, I've had to go online to find answers to fill holes in his teaching. But also it feels at times like he's trying to talk over your head and give you the official-to-the-letter-Help-menu definition. I know there's a better way to teach people this stuff, and I've read books that do that.
I give it 3 stars just for the shear quantity, and I appreciate the effort. I just wish this book was not only packed with information but also taught it well.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Almost Unusable
Comment: As a Adobe Certified Expert in Flash 8.0, I found this book almost unreadable. It is actually a "textbook" example of why some techie types make the worst teachers or writers. It is also a clear case of some readers being influenced by the overhype of a book, as it was considered a classic before being released. As someone who studies almost 40 hours a weeks in over 10 Graphic Design disciplines, you tend to know good stuff from the bad. I know doubt that Albert Einstein knew his stuff, but I want someone to help explain the stuff, not complicate it. A major disappointment.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Like the name says: Essential
Comment: Essential. That sums it up.
This books is a excellent book when dealing and understanding AS3. If you have come from various other programming languages like Java, C++ or any object oriented programing language you will understand the first 5 chapters easily. The rest of the book explains and gives examples of various other aspects, of the language that you will use when developing with it.
I also purchased ActionScript 3.0 Bible and like I said for that review both books are great but some times one does a better job at explanation on various topics then the other.
In the Essentials you have the option of going through the book and building an example program as you understand more concepts. This is great for beginners coming into programming if this is your first programming language. If you are not a beginner the book is kinda self explaining, which is great when building a project.
Please be aware that this books does not means explain how to use flash or flex. The sole purpose of the books is to teach and understand ActionScript 3.0. This is the programming language that the Flash 9+ supports. If you are looking for a book on how to develop in flash or flex I suggest a actual book targeted at flash for flex. Know this though if you are a excellent ActionScript 3.0 developer you can do almost anything in flash and flex, which would take twice as long in the their respective IDEs.
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