AS 2.0 vs. AS 3.0

Question

Hi,
Sorry for all the silly questions guys, i'm a newbie and this is the only place I can really get proper help. Have tried finding response to most of my questions by google or youtube video tutorials, however this is truly the place to go for help or feedback.
So, I'm wondering... what is the difference between AS 2.0 and AS 3.0. Why would you use one more than the other, which one is easier to use and understand (for a newbie like me)? I'm currently learning AS 2.0 in school, so was wondering if it would be a big transition once I do decide to make the switch to AS 3.0?

Answer 1

It's not a matter of simpler codes (or having an easier life... you will pull your hair out learning either version)  If you learn AS2, especially using poor practices, it makes it that much harder to make the transition to AS3.  Some people have a very difficult time with the transition, and some reject further effort after trying.  If you plan for a future in working with Flash, there is a limited future for you with AS2. It will survive for years on end, but it will always leave you less competitive.  The amount that you are learning now might be sufficient for a lifetime. Moving on to AS3 once you're past this gives you the benefit of having some experience with AS2 that you can fall back on if needed without too much difficulty.
I have CS3 myself, have yet to upgrade, but since AS3 came into being with CS3, I decided early on that it was best to make the attempt to learn it.  And it was a bit of a struggle in various ways.  But in time I became more comfortable with it, and it became much easier to understand how to not only use what I learned, but to figure out how to use what I have not yet used.  The documentation that emerged with CS3 is much better than earlier versions which has helped greatly in the figuring out dept as well.  That they no longer provide the help documents with the software in CS4 and up is sad.