Question/Poll about AS2 and AS3

[indiochano]

Which one do you guys prefer?
Which one is harder to learn?
Which one works best for your demands?

[CyanBlue]

My 2 cents... ;)

#1. I don't have a preference because I am still learning AS3 myself...

#2. AS3 is definitely harder to learn, but it basically boils down to using different syntax/function to do the same thing... What's important is the logic not the language, if you ask me...

#3. Whatever works for the client... If a client wants to create something that needs to run on a school computers, for example, I probably need to open up Flash MX or Flash MX 2004 because I've got to go with the minimum spec... But if it is something for a top notch site, AS3 won't hurt... But the client does not really care much whether I use F4 or FCS3... They want something that looks good and works great...

[KWarp]

Both languages are cruel learning experiences. I recommend you first learn C++ or Java, then apply those concepts to ActionScript. The real killer of ActionScript is all the connective tissue between the code and graphic elements.

As for 2 or 3, I'd say 2 is better if you intend to hack together small projects. 2 is simpler to program buttons and access variables from most anywhere in the .swf file. 3 is best suited for medium and large projects where performance comes at the cost of clean (yet difficult) programming habits. 3 also has more networking features like text file read/write abilities.

In short, AS3 is conceptually more difficult to wrap your head around. If concepts like Object Oriented Programming (OOP) and Inheritance make sense to you, go with 3. Otherwise, 2 is perfectly fine.

[senocular]

Which one do you guys prefer?
Which one is harder to learn?
Which one works best for your demands?

1. AS3
2. AS3
3. AS3

And I'm not sure about learning another language first just to get into ActionScript. Other languages are different enough that you might only be confused or upset when you make your way back to ActionScript. Many of the concepts are the same, but ActionScript is also a little higher level so you don't have as many of the language features as other languages like C++ (and concepts like "references" are quite different between the two). That's not to say having knowledge of another language doesn't hurt, but pursuing one just to learn ActionScript, I think, is unnecessary and probably more detrimental in the end.

Though AS3 is harder to learn than AS2 is, that's where all the new features are ending up. So if you want to stay in the past with a static feature set, AS2 is fine. If you want to keep up with new features like custom filters, enhanced text formatting, and 3D effects (all coming to Flash Player 10 and AS3 only), AS3 is what you want to invest yourself in.