Re: [Flashcoders] books for flash programming
- Original Message - From: Kerry Thompson [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: 'Flash Coders List' flashcoders@chattyfig.figleaf.com Sent: Friday, April 04, 2008 2:45 AM Subject: RE: [Flashcoders] books for flash programming Vlado Krempl wrote: I'm a designer who is getting more and more interested in programming and not just actionscript 3. From your list above, and in your opinion, which are the must learn programs to learn? I have been doing alot of reading on PHP, HTML, Javascript and Actionscript 3. Of the languages I know, the only one I could recommend for a young programmer would be C++ (and, of course, ActionScript 3). Even that is problematic, though--C++ may be an obsolescent language itself. C++ would be the last language I would recommend (I worked as a freelance database developer using C++ for two years). It has multiple 'gotchas' and as Kerry has said is falling behind rapidly as an in-vogue development language. Ugh. If your interested, the most problems on my project (five developers working on it - not just me!), came from unintended references to temporary objects. More to the point would be what language would I learn that I don't already know. PHP would be near the top of the list. If you want to branch out, I think C# and .NET is the up-and-coming language for the next few years--actually, make that Visual Basic and C#, both with .NET. Thre's also quite a buzz around Ruby right now. Java would be high on my list, too, especially since it is so similar to AS3. I think there is a future also for Python and some other Web-oriented languages. Java is a pretty good choice right now, and as Kerry says a really good fit with Actionscript and avoids many of the problems that C++ has. What is clear is that, at the moment, Web-oriented development is the growth field, more so than desktop apps. Very true. Cordially, Kerry Thompson ___ Flashcoders mailing list Flashcoders@chattyfig.figleaf.com http://chattyfig.figleaf.com/mailman/listinfo/flashcoders
Re: [Flashcoders] books for flash programming
I agree with Alan. All the books in Jeff's list ( http://www.codinghorror.com/blog/archives/20.html) are wonderful. I especially liked The Pragmatic Programmer: From Journeyman to Masterhttp://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/020161622X/codinghorror-20 . Gert-Jan 2008/4/3, Muzak [EMAIL PROTECTED]: Not to mention that a programmer who knows AS3, Java, and Lisp is immensely more valuable than one who just knows AS3. It proves you have the capacity to learn, which is a very marketable trait. BS.. Doesn't prove a thing.. Someone who *just* knows AS3 may have - scratch that - *has* the capacity to learn any other language, but may never have had the need to. - Original Message - From: Cory Petosky [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: Flash Coders List flashcoders@chattyfig.figleaf.com Sent: Wednesday, April 02, 2008 11:54 PM Subject: Re: [Flashcoders] books for flash programming A native English speaker, when learning German, will generally remark Wow! Because of this feature in German, I now understand English a little better. Programming languages are the same way. Learning another object-oriented language will help you identify how features in ActionScript work (or don't work). And learning a language from another paradigm entirely (functional or procedural, probably) will help you identify weaknesses and strengths of object-oriented programming. Not to mention that a programmer who knows AS3, Java, and Lisp is immensely more valuable than one who just knows AS3. It proves you have the capacity to learn, which is a very marketable trait. ___ Flashcoders mailing list Flashcoders@chattyfig.figleaf.com http://chattyfig.figleaf.com/mailman/listinfo/flashcoders -- Gert-Jan van der Wel Co-Founder CTO Floorplanner.com +31 (0)10 281 0799 +31 (0)6 1665 0338 [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.floorplanner.com skype: gertjan-floorplanner ___ Flashcoders mailing list Flashcoders@chattyfig.figleaf.com http://chattyfig.figleaf.com/mailman/listinfo/flashcoders
Re: [Flashcoders] books for flash programming
That's not true. I'd say the majority of Flash coders I've met in real life are pretty awful at AS3, and they're not worth hiring. Yet, they get hired, because there's not enough Flash programmers to go around, and the theory (in marketing agencies, anyway) is that a bad Flash programmer is better than no Flash programmer at all. Beyond that, most small marketing agencies can't tell a good Flash programmer from a bad one anyway. Knowing multiple languages well is a good indicator that you're a good Flash programmer. This is not a causation statement, merely a correlation. There are undoubtedly people who know multiple languages who suck at Flash programming. Similarly, there are definitely people who only know AS3 but are great Flash programmers. Nevertheless, in my experience, the guys who have learned multiple languages (myself included) understand the strengths and weaknesses of AS3/Flash much better, on average, than those who have only ever used AS3/Flash. In the end, though, the advantage to learning multiple languages is that you'll be better at what you do. No question. It's been common knowledge among programmers since the 1970s. On Wed, Apr 2, 2008 at 6:38 PM, Muzak [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Not to mention that a programmer who knows AS3, Java, and Lisp is immensely more valuable than one who just knows AS3. It proves you have the capacity to learn, which is a very marketable trait. BS.. Doesn't prove a thing.. Someone who *just* knows AS3 may have - scratch that - *has* the capacity to learn any other language, but may never have had the need to. - Original Message - From: Cory Petosky [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: Flash Coders List flashcoders@chattyfig.figleaf.com Sent: Wednesday, April 02, 2008 11:54 PM Subject: Re: [Flashcoders] books for flash programming A native English speaker, when learning German, will generally remark Wow! Because of this feature in German, I now understand English a little better. Programming languages are the same way. Learning another object-oriented language will help you identify how features in ActionScript work (or don't work). And learning a language from another paradigm entirely (functional or procedural, probably) will help you identify weaknesses and strengths of object-oriented programming. Not to mention that a programmer who knows AS3, Java, and Lisp is immensely more valuable than one who just knows AS3. It proves you have the capacity to learn, which is a very marketable trait. ___ Flashcoders mailing list Flashcoders@chattyfig.figleaf.com http://chattyfig.figleaf.com/mailman/listinfo/flashcoders -- Cory Petosky : Lead Developer : PUNY 1618 Central Ave NE Suite 130 Minneapolis, MN 55413 Office: 612.216.3924 Mobile: 240.422.9652 Fax: 612.605.9216 http://www.punyentertainment.com ___ Flashcoders mailing list Flashcoders@chattyfig.figleaf.com http://chattyfig.figleaf.com/mailman/listinfo/flashcoders
RE: [Flashcoders] books for flash programming
Cory Petosky wrote: In the end, though, the advantage to learning multiple languages is that you'll be better at what you do. No question. It's been common knowledge among programmers since the 1970s. I have to agree with Cory. I've been programming since 1981, and, to stay employed, I have needed to learn Basic, COBOL, Fortran, Assembler, RPG, Pascal, C, C++, HTML, JavaScript, VBScript, XSLT, Lingo, ActionScript (3 versions), and probably some others that I can't recall at the moment. (For the record, my all-time favorite is ActionScript 3.) I'm not saying that to boast, but to point out how quickly the industry changes, and how adaptable you need to be. The ability to learn new languages, and apply the algorithms you know to the new syntax, is crucial. You young whippersnappers may not realize it, but ActionScript 3 will be obsolete so quickly you won't know what happened. Flash itself may be obsolete--it's already being replaced by Flex for a lot of code-heavy apps. Look what happened to Director and Shockwave, once the king of the RIA. When I started programming, only a few academics and military types knew what a network was, nobody had e-mail, and even the term hyperlink was a dreamer's concept. Nobody knows what computer science will look like in 10 years, much less 25. How many people here know how to program a quantum computer where the unit of information is the Quark, which is not binary, but may have 28 different states? Programming languages are much like human languages. Learning a second language makes it much easier to learn a third, then a fourth, and so on. Plus, knowing another language helps you understand your primary language better. I speak from experience (so to speak), as I learned Chinese as an adult. It was a revelation, as was learning Assembler. Don't get complacent with your AS3 or AS2 knowledge. You'll get stuck in a rut, and your understanding of computers will be limited. Ask any programmer who has done significant assembly-language programming. There's nothing like getting close to the machine, on the bit level, to help you understand what's happening in your ActionScript code, and how to optimize and organize it. Cordially, Kerry Thompson ___ Flashcoders mailing list Flashcoders@chattyfig.figleaf.com http://chattyfig.figleaf.com/mailman/listinfo/flashcoders
Re: [Flashcoders] books for flash programming
Kerry Thompson wrote: I have to agree with Cory. I've been programming since 1981, and, to stay employed, I have needed to learn Basic, COBOL, Fortran, Assembler, RPG, Pascal, C, C++, HTML, JavaScript, VBScript, XSLT, Lingo, ActionScript (3 versions), and probably some others that I can't recall at the moment. (For the record, my all-time favorite is ActionScript 3.) Hi Kerry, I'm a designer who is getting more and more interested in programming and not just actionscript 3. From your list above, and in your opinion, which are the must learn programs to learn? I have been doing alot of reading on PHP, HTML, Javascript and Actionscript 3. Any advice would be appreciated. Cheers, Vlado Krempl Sydney, Australia - Original Message - From: Kerry Thompson [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: 'Flash Coders List' flashcoders@chattyfig.figleaf.com Sent: Friday, April 04, 2008 7:14 AM Subject: RE: [Flashcoders] books for flash programming Cory Petosky wrote: In the end, though, the advantage to learning multiple languages is that you'll be better at what you do. No question. It's been common knowledge among programmers since the 1970s. I have to agree with Cory. I've been programming since 1981, and, to stay employed, I have needed to learn Basic, COBOL, Fortran, Assembler, RPG, Pascal, C, C++, HTML, JavaScript, VBScript, XSLT, Lingo, ActionScript (3 versions), and probably some others that I can't recall at the moment. (For the record, my all-time favorite is ActionScript 3.) I'm not saying that to boast, but to point out how quickly the industry changes, and how adaptable you need to be. The ability to learn new languages, and apply the algorithms you know to the new syntax, is crucial. You young whippersnappers may not realize it, but ActionScript 3 will be obsolete so quickly you won't know what happened. Flash itself may be obsolete--it's already being replaced by Flex for a lot of code-heavy apps. Look what happened to Director and Shockwave, once the king of the RIA. When I started programming, only a few academics and military types knew what a network was, nobody had e-mail, and even the term hyperlink was a dreamer's concept. Nobody knows what computer science will look like in 10 years, much less 25. How many people here know how to program a quantum computer where the unit of information is the Quark, which is not binary, but may have 28 different states? Programming languages are much like human languages. Learning a second language makes it much easier to learn a third, then a fourth, and so on. Plus, knowing another language helps you understand your primary language better. I speak from experience (so to speak), as I learned Chinese as an adult. It was a revelation, as was learning Assembler. Don't get complacent with your AS3 or AS2 knowledge. You'll get stuck in a rut, and your understanding of computers will be limited. Ask any programmer who has done significant assembly-language programming. There's nothing like getting close to the machine, on the bit level, to help you understand what's happening in your ActionScript code, and how to optimize and organize it. Cordially, Kerry Thompson ___ Flashcoders mailing list Flashcoders@chattyfig.figleaf.com http://chattyfig.figleaf.com/mailman/listinfo/flashcoders ___ Flashcoders mailing list Flashcoders@chattyfig.figleaf.com http://chattyfig.figleaf.com/mailman/listinfo/flashcoders
RE: [Flashcoders] books for flash programming
Vlado Krempl wrote: I'm a designer who is getting more and more interested in programming and not just actionscript 3. From your list above, and in your opinion, which are the must learn programs to learn? I have been doing alot of reading on PHP, HTML, Javascript and Actionscript 3. Of the languages I know, the only one I could recommend for a young programmer would be C++ (and, of course, ActionScript 3). Even that is problematic, though--C++ may be an obsolescent language itself. More to the point would be what language would I learn that I don't already know. PHP would be near the top of the list. If you want to branch out, I think C# and .NET is the up-and-coming language for the next few years--actually, make that Visual Basic and C#, both with .NET. Java would be high on my list, too, especially since it is so similar to AS3. I think there is a future also for Python and some other Web-oriented languages. What is clear is that, at the moment, Web-oriented development is the growth field, more so than desktop apps. Cordially, Kerry Thompson ___ Flashcoders mailing list Flashcoders@chattyfig.figleaf.com http://chattyfig.figleaf.com/mailman/listinfo/flashcoders
Re: [Flashcoders] books for flash programming
I would suggest books where you can learn the principles of object oriented programming - as this will carry over to many languages. I wish I had learned it from the start! elaine On Apr 3, 2008, at 7:45 PM, Kerry Thompson wrote: Vlado Krempl wrote: I'm a designer who is getting more and more interested in programming and not just actionscript 3. From your list above, and in your opinion, which are the must learn programs to learn? I have been doing alot of reading on PHP, HTML, Javascript and Actionscript 3. Of the languages I know, the only one I could recommend for a young programmer would be C++ (and, of course, ActionScript 3). Even that is problematic, though--C++ may be an obsolescent language itself. More to the point would be what language would I learn that I don't already know. PHP would be near the top of the list. If you want to branch out, I think C# and .NET is the up-and-coming language for the next few years--actually, make that Visual Basic and C#, both with .NET. Java would be high on my list, too, especially since it is so similar to AS3. I think there is a future also for Python and some other Web- oriented languages. What is clear is that, at the moment, Web-oriented development is the growth field, more so than desktop apps. Cordially, Kerry Thompson ___ Flashcoders mailing list Flashcoders@chattyfig.figleaf.com http://chattyfig.figleaf.com/mailman/listinfo/flashcoders ___ Flashcoders mailing list Flashcoders@chattyfig.figleaf.com http://chattyfig.figleaf.com/mailman/listinfo/flashcoders
Re: [Flashcoders] books for flash programming
A native English speaker, when learning German, will generally remark Wow! Because of this feature in German, I now understand English a little better. Programming languages are the same way. Learning another object-oriented language will help you identify how features in ActionScript work (or don't work). And learning a language from another paradigm entirely (functional or procedural, probably) will help you identify weaknesses and strengths of object-oriented programming. Not to mention that a programmer who knows AS3, Java, and Lisp is immensely more valuable than one who just knows AS3. It proves you have the capacity to learn, which is a very marketable trait. On Tue, Apr 1, 2008 at 2:05 PM, Alan MacDougall [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: On 3/24/08, Naveen Bhaskar [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Hi, I am a flash designer and I am in intermediate in programming.(AS2). anybody pls tellme what are the good books I can refer. And remember, just learning Actionscript in particular will not teach you programming in general. Jeff Atwood has an excellent list of books on topics essential to all programmers, even Actionscript programmers: http://www.codinghorror.com/blog/archives/20.html And if you really want to be a programmer, learn more than just Actionscript! A scripting language like Python, Ruby, or Perl will be extremely useful to you even as Flash developer -- but you'll never realize it until you've learned one. ___ Flashcoders mailing list Flashcoders@chattyfig.figleaf.com http://chattyfig.figleaf.com/mailman/listinfo/flashcoders -- Cory Petosky : Lead Developer : PUNY 1618 Central Ave NE Suite 130 Minneapolis, MN 55413 Office: 612.216.3924 Mobile: 240.422.9652 Fax: 612.605.9216 http://www.punyentertainment.com ___ Flashcoders mailing list Flashcoders@chattyfig.figleaf.com http://chattyfig.figleaf.com/mailman/listinfo/flashcoders
Re: [Flashcoders] books for flash programming
Not to mention that a programmer who knows AS3, Java, and Lisp is immensely more valuable than one who just knows AS3. It proves you have the capacity to learn, which is a very marketable trait. BS.. Doesn't prove a thing.. Someone who *just* knows AS3 may have - scratch that - *has* the capacity to learn any other language, but may never have had the need to. - Original Message - From: Cory Petosky [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: Flash Coders List flashcoders@chattyfig.figleaf.com Sent: Wednesday, April 02, 2008 11:54 PM Subject: Re: [Flashcoders] books for flash programming A native English speaker, when learning German, will generally remark Wow! Because of this feature in German, I now understand English a little better. Programming languages are the same way. Learning another object-oriented language will help you identify how features in ActionScript work (or don't work). And learning a language from another paradigm entirely (functional or procedural, probably) will help you identify weaknesses and strengths of object-oriented programming. Not to mention that a programmer who knows AS3, Java, and Lisp is immensely more valuable than one who just knows AS3. It proves you have the capacity to learn, which is a very marketable trait. ___ Flashcoders mailing list Flashcoders@chattyfig.figleaf.com http://chattyfig.figleaf.com/mailman/listinfo/flashcoders
Re: [Flashcoders] books for flash programming
On 3/24/08, Naveen Bhaskar [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Hi, I am a flash designer and I am in intermediate in programming.(AS2). anybody pls tellme what are the good books I can refer. And remember, just learning Actionscript in particular will not teach you programming in general. Jeff Atwood has an excellent list of books on topics essential to all programmers, even Actionscript programmers: http://www.codinghorror.com/blog/archives/20.html And if you really want to be a programmer, learn more than just Actionscript! A scripting language like Python, Ruby, or Perl will be extremely useful to you even as Flash developer -- but you'll never realize it until you've learned one. ___ Flashcoders mailing list Flashcoders@chattyfig.figleaf.com http://chattyfig.figleaf.com/mailman/listinfo/flashcoders
Re: [Flashcoders] books for flash programming
gotoandlearn.com learnflash.com flashkit.com essential actionscript 3.0 (colin moock) i'd start at these a On 24 Mar 2008, at 07:21, Naveen Bhaskar wrote: I am a flash designer and I am in intermediate in programming.(AS2). anybody pls tellme what are the good books I can refer. or is there any good website for learning programming and also have good tutorials... thanks in advance ___ Flashcoders mailing list Flashcoders@chattyfig.figleaf.com http://chattyfig.figleaf.com/mailman/listinfo/flashcoders
Re: [Flashcoders] books for flash programming
have purchased these following books... Adobe Flash CS3 Professional Bible ActionScript 3.0 Cookbook: Solutions for Flash Platform and Flex Application Developers How to Cheat in Adobe Flash CS3: The Art of Design and Animation Advanced Actionscript 3 with Design Patterns Flash CS3 Professional for Windows and Macintosh:Visual QuickStart Guide SM - Original Message - From: Allandt Bik-Elliott (Receptacle) To: Flash Coders List Sent: Monday, March 24, 2008 11:56 AM Subject: Re: [Flashcoders] books for flash programming gotoandlearn.com learnflash.com flashkit.com essential actionscript 3.0 (colin moock) i'd start at these a On 24 Mar 2008, at 07:21, Naveen Bhaskar wrote: I am a flash designer and I am in intermediate in programming.(AS2). anybody pls tellme what are the good books I can refer. or is there any good website for learning programming and also have good tutorials... thanks in advance ___ Flashcoders mailing list Flashcoders@chattyfig.figleaf.com http://chattyfig.figleaf.com/mailman/listinfo/flashcoders ___ Flashcoders mailing list Flashcoders@chattyfig.figleaf.com http://chattyfig.figleaf.com/mailman/listinfo/flashcoders
Re: [Flashcoders] books for flash programming
Adobe Developer Connection ActionScript Technology Center http://www.adobe.com/devnet/actionscript/ There's also the LiveDocs site for ActionScript: http://livedocs.adobe.com/flex/3/html/help.html?content=Part6_ProgAS_1.html Lynda.com has a collection of eLearning by Joey Lott that is pretty good. Essential ActionScript 3.0 by Colin Moock Publisher: O'ReillyPub Date: June 15, 2007 Print ISBN-10: 0-596-52694-6 Print ISBN-13: 978-0-59-652694-8 Pages: 946 Advanced ActionScript 3 with Design Patterns by Joey Lott, Danny Patterson Publisher: Adobe Press Pub Date: November 02, 2006 Print ISBN-10: 0-321-42656-8 Print ISBN-13: 978-0-321-42656-7 Programming FlexTM 2 by Chafic Kazoun; Joey Lott Publisher: O'Reilly Pub Date: April 15, 2007 Print ISBN-10: 0-596-52689-X Print ISBN-13: 978-0-59-652689-4 Pages: 502 ActionScript 3.0 Cookbook by Joey Lott; Keith Peters; Darron Schall Publisher: O'Reilly Pub Date: October 01, 2006 Print ISBN-10: 0-596-52695-4 Print ISBN-13: 978-0-59-652695-5 Pages: 592 ActionScript 3.0 Design Patterns by William B. Sanders; Chandima Cumaranatunge Publisher: O'Reilly Pub Date: July 01, 2007 Print ISBN-13: 978-0-59-652846-1 Pages: 532 Here you go! William On 3/24/08, Naveen Bhaskar [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Hi, I am a flash designer and I am in intermediate in programming.(AS2). anybody pls tellme what are the good books I can refer. or is there any good website for learning programming and also have good tutorials... thanks in advance navii - thanks and regards Naveen Bhaskar Menon ___ Flashcoders mailing list Flashcoders@chattyfig.figleaf.com http://chattyfig.figleaf.com/mailman/listinfo/flashcoders ___ Flashcoders mailing list Flashcoders@chattyfig.figleaf.com http://chattyfig.figleaf.com/mailman/listinfo/flashcoders
