Flash has built-in functions that let you access certain information. For example, through the use of functions you could ascertain which version of the Macromedia Flash Player end users have on their computers. Functions that belong to an object are called methods . For a more detailed discussion of methods, see Chapter 14, "Methods." Each function has its own characteristics. Some functions require that you pass certain values. All of the built-in functions are outlined in Table 12.1. Table 12.1. Built-in Functions | FUNCTION | USAGE | | Boolean | Converts the argument to a Boolean data type. | | escape | Converts the argument to a string and encodes in URL format. | | eval | Accesses objects, movie clips, variables , and properties by name , based on the argument. | | getProperty | Returns the value of the argument for the movie clip instance. | | getTimer | Returns the number of milliseconds that have elapsed since the movie started playing. | | getVersion | Returns a string showing the Flash Player version and some platform information. | | isFinite | Tests to see if the argument is finite and returns true if it is. | | isNaN | Tests the argument to see if the value is not a number and returns true if it is not. | | number | Converts a string to a number data type. | | parseFloat | Converts a string to a floating-point number. | | parseInt | Converts a string to an integer number. | | string | Converts a number to a string data type. | | targetPath | Returns a string containing the target path in slash notation. | | unescape | Decodes the argument from URL format and returns a string. | NOTE There are several string functions as well. However, these string functions are now deprecated in Flash MX.
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