9 Replies Latest reply: Aug 24, 2011 6:57 PM by StoneChameleon RSS

    Next version of AS

    StoneChameleon Community Member

      I recently heard (from a not so reliable, but sometimes right, collegue) there's talk of a new version of ActionScript. Is this right? I'm not finding anything on it in searches, so I'm wondering if he's just dreaming too soon.

        • 1. Re: Next version of AS
          kglad CommunityMVP

          that doesn't sound correct.

          • 2. Re: Next version of AS
            StoneChameleon Community Member

            Okay, I didn't think so. Thanks.

            • 3. Re: Next version of AS
              kglad CommunityMVP

              you're welcome.

              • 4. Re: Next version of AS
                Andrei1 Community Member

                There are rumors of ActionScript 4 lingering around since 2008. Search for ActionScript 4 and you will find a few posts on the Net. It was stalled by non-acceptance of a new ECMA standard but it doesn't mean Adobe will not go ahead with it. First notes about AS4 were very promising and the language does need some improvements. So, my bet would be that Adobe is developing it. Once other battles (like the one for mobile device acceptance) are won - Adobe may deploy this new language.

                • 5. Re: Next version of AS
                  StoneChameleon Community Member

                  Thanks, Andrei,

                   

                  I went to Moock and read through the presentational material. I wasn't working with AS in 2008 - not until a few months ago, really. I'm looking through these articles, reading comments (comments that 'predicted' the future, ha), and finding it interesting how the events went. Although, I don't see any recent mentions of it, but I'll keep my eye out.

                  • 6. Re: Next version of AS
                    Andrei1 Community Member

                    Well, before Microsoft ditched cooperation on ECMA 4 standard, it had to be a public matter. Now, when Adobe is left on its own, I wouldn't expect any publicly available information. I would even bet on a high secrecy which is totally called for given complexity of relationships between Adobe and major players like Apple and MS. We all know very well that in cases like Apple product protection and high level of secrecy pays off.

                     

                    I remain optimistic though. Silverlight is going nowhere (may be this is a time fo MS to get in bed with Adobe). Upcoming Mollhill (Flash 11) may spring Flash to newer heights given preliminary amazing showing of its performance (and how a lot of game developing companies jumped onto developing applications that utilize hardware acceleration capabilities).

                     

                    As for another ActionScript, again, because Adobe's attempt to follow open standard tendencies was not successful, they may decide to develop something like Java and totally screw JavaScript-like language or overhauled virtual machine and SWF standard. This is a total fantasy, of course, but I would definitely embrace it. If anything, it will hopefully allow for developing totally industrial strength applications.

                     

                    Everyone fell into a brain-dead coma over how great HTML5 is (because Steve Jobs passed gas a year ago, I guess) although with all honesty, it is pathetic how limited it is. And it doesn't matter MS promises HTML5 as a base for next windows. Nothing can be compared with OOP and compiled code in terms of efficiency and scalability.

                     

                    My point is - I hope Adobe has up its sleve something to sober up this latest HTML5 craze comatoze followers.

                    • 7. Re: Next version of AS
                      StoneChameleon Community Member

                      Well, that was a bit to say about it all. Ha. I think I'm with you, though. I have my complaints about Adobe (though, I drown myself in most things Adobe), but I would love to Microsoft jump into bed with someone who knows what they're doing (Adobe). I don't necessarily have a problem with HTML5, but I certainly can't accept it as the replacement for Flash. I think to assume HTML5 could replace Flash is like assuming a new version of JavaScript could replace PHP.

                       

                      I don't know a lot about ActionScript, I'm only a couple months into learning, but I know enough to know it can pretty much do anything I want it to do.

                       

                      Knowing Adobe, they're not likely to have just a trick up their sleeve, but an entire magic spell to blow us all away (don't disappoint me, Adobe!).

                      • 8. Re: Next version of AS
                        Andrei1 Community Member

                        I am happy to learn someone thinks alike. My psychotherapist advised me to pour my crap in writing. So it goes.

                         

                        For some reason, although I am completely cynical about anything corporate, Adobe hit a soft spot in me. I do see shortcomings but, rightly or wrongly, I keep attributing them to insufficient resources rather than lack of vision. I also sense some sort of rare idealism. This, perhaps, was a ground for failing to unite other gorillas under an umbrella of ECMA standard.

                         

                        As for HTML5, although I don't have anything agains it per se, I believe that it is just another unripe tool Apple chose as a weapon to settle (sometimes personal) scores.

                         

                        The facts are:

                         

                        1. there is no well developed HTML5 standard yet. How can any sane/literate executive possibly put all eggs in this basket?

                         

                        2. there is no way in Hell JavaScript-driven animations, including bitmap processing, can match compiled code graphics manipulations unit few year in the future when hardware matches the aim. We did a couple of test with the guys I work with. It takes multiples in terms of file size to accomplish what can be done in Flash with 1KB even as far as the simplest animations are concerned. I am not even talking about pathetic performance HTML5 animations demonstrate. Is there a way to smooth it in HTML5? I don't think so. But Adobe is working on one as we speak - hardware acceleration.

                         

                        3. I don't think Apple really believes in HTML5 standard as a future. Why marry to such a thing as objective C? Objective C is a crappy language but what one can do? Nothing! One will stick with it as everyone got stuck with one of the worst humankind creations namely VB and VBA because analysts have to use Excel in financial industry. .Net and C# to follow as it looks.

                         

                        The only thing that Apple did to assert HTML5 validity is to write their own UNRELATED to HTML5 standard <video> tag. It is a great tag - don't take me wrong. It has dynamic HTTP streaming capabilities. It doesn't require special server side handling, etc. But the keyword is "proprietary." Apple showed middle finger to everyone involved in developing HTML5 standard - not Adobe only. Apple basically instigated another round of balkanization in application development. Because it could. Google is threatening to ditch video codec in favor of a single open standard one, for example.

                         

                        What else is so earth-shattering in HTML5? Does it handle data better? I dn't think so. Canvas? Yes, it is cute and handy but to what extend? Local storage is already up to be negated. I mean it is good but not something that will move humanity to Mars.

                         

                        After all, Apple is one of the greatest authoritarian regimes today. HTML5 push is a plain Apple's propaganda almost everyone predictably fell for. I can taste how disappointing this hysteria will be in a year when people start realizing that the best HTML5 achievement is a Google guitar tribute to Les Paul for a long time. It happened with HTML 1.X, HTML4, XHTML and it will happen again.

                         

                        What Steve Jobs did a year ago is disingenuous and self-serving (buying time?). It is just in the human nature to project a single manifestation of success onto everything else. iPhone/iPad are great but it doesn't mean Steve Jobs can be treated as a source of final saying in everything computer related. Nevertheless people bet their money on it.

                         

                        Adobe just had neither financial nor popularity contest leverage to enforce their vision.

                         

                        With that said, as usual, something good will come out of it. Seemingly left defeated, Adobe is now in a great position to move fast and stealthy while others mesmerizingly salivate over cool swipes of iPhone screen. And I hope Adobe is doing just that without opening its mouth wide. I wouldn't be surprised if the next, or the one after this fall launch, of iPhone/iPad will support Flash 11. Isn't it strange that after the last year brawl things became very quiet all of a sudden? Eery but promising sign...

                         

                        I always say "just get over it and introduce <flash> tag in HTML6 - things will take care of themselves naturally." You cannot discount 98% penetration. Where is Safary in popularity, may I ask? But, again, competition and bar fights are good for they keep fire under Adobe's pants.

                        • 9. Re: Next version of AS
                          StoneChameleon Community Member

                          That was quite the little rant Feel better?