Simple Calculator Question

Question

I am trying to learn ActionScript 3 and have been going
through books trying to piece together knowledge.
Today I thought I had figured some things out and attempted
to put together a simple addition, subtraction, multiplication and
division calculator using variables and a function but I cannot
seem to get it to work.
I think it is in the way the function is looking at the
variables when it tries to perform the mathNum function.
All the variables are standard variables except the variable
"operator", that is suppose to hold the operator from the form on
the stage.... i.e. *, +, - , or / , I have tried all the different
data types and it just doesn't seem to work
All it is suppose to do is take 2 numbers that are input on
the stage, let the user input a operator type and then push a
calculate button and it displays the answer.
I have attached the code.... Thank you in advance for
looking.
var operNum1:Number = 0;
var operNum2:Number = 0;
var operator:Object = * ;
var sum:Number = 0;
result_btn.addEventListener(MouseEvent.CLICK, onClick);
function onClick(e:MouseEvent):void
operNum1 = Number(oper1_txt.text);
operNum2 = Number(oper2_txt.text);
operator = Object(operator_txt.text);
var sum = mathNum(operNum1,operator, operNum2);
sum_txt.text = sum;
function mathNum(operNum1,operator,operNum2):Number
return (operNum1 + operator + operNum2);
Thanks again for any help.
Mike

Answer 1

I'm new to Actionscript, but experienced with OOP. There are
a number of errors in this code.
1) I don't believe you can assign the * character as an
object, that will just give you a syntax error or undefined
property.
2) in mathNum, you're mixing data types. the "+" operator
adds numbers or concatenates strings. You can't add an operator to
numbers and expect actionscript to know what you mean by that.
3) in mathNum, you haven't defined the types for the
arguments either.
The only way I know of to do what you want is to either check
a string for the chosen operator and use a case statement, or maybe
use an eval statement (if actionscript has it, I don't know). Maybe
a more experienced as person could direct you further.
good luck.
lou