Flash CS3 Documentation

Learning ActionScript 2.0 in Adobe Flash > Syntax and Language Fundamentals > About dot syntax and target paths

About dot syntax and target paths

In ActionScript, you use a dot (.) operator (dot syntax) to access properties or methods that belong to an object or instance on the Stage. You also use the dot operator to identify the target path to an instance (such as a movie clip), variable, function, or object.

A dot syntax expression begins with the name of the object or movie clip, followed by a dot, and it ends with the element you want to specify. The following sections demonstrate how to write dot syntax expressions.

To control a movie clip, loaded SWF file, or button, you must specify a target path. Target paths are hierarchical addresses of movie clip instance names, variables, and objects in a SWF file. In order to specify a target path for a movie clip or button, you must assign an instance name to the movie clip or button. You name a movie clip instance by selecting the instance and typing the instance name in the Property inspector. Or you can specify the instance name with code if you create the instance using ActionScript. You can use the target path to assign an action to a movie clip or to get or set the value of a variable or property.

For more information on assigning an instance name and using dot syntax to target an instance, see the following topics:

• About using dot syntax to target an instance.
• About scope and targeting
• Using the Target Path button
• About slash syntax

For more information on objects and properties, see Object data type.

Flash CS3