- ActionScript for Flash MX: The Definitive Guide, 2nd Edition

Flash Naming Conventions

With the introduction of the MX family of products, including Flash MX, Macromedia abandoned a standard numeric versioning system for its Flash authoring tool. The Flash Player, however, is still versioned numerically. Table P-2 describes the naming conventions used in this book for Flash versions.

Table P-2. Flash naming conventions used in this book

Name

Meaning

Flash MX

The Flash MX authoring tool (as opposed to the Flash Player)

Flash Player 6

The Flash Player, version 6. The Flash Player is a browser plugin for major web browsers on Windows and Macintosh. There are both ActiveX and Netscape-style versions of the plugin, but they are referred to collectively as "Flash Player 6" except where noted, such as under Accessibility in the ActionScript Language Reference.

Flash Player x.0.y.0

The Flash Player, specifically, the release specified by x and y, as in Flash Player 6.0.47.0. See capabilities.version in the ActionScript Language Reference for details.

Flash 6

Short for "Flash Player 6," used primarily in the Language Reference or wherever the distinction between Flash MX (the authoring tool) and Flash Player 6 (the browser plugin) is irrelevant.

Flash 5 authoring tool

The Flash 5 authoring tool (as opposed to the Flash Player), which came before Flash MX

Flash Player 5

The Flash Player, version 5

Flash 5

Short for "Flash Player 5," used primarily in the Language Reference or wherever the distinction between Flash 5 (the authoring tool) and Flash Player 5 (the browser plugin) is irrelevant.

Flash 2, Flash 3, and Flash 4

Versions of the Flash Player prior to version 5, used primarily in the Language Reference to indicate which versions of Flash support the given feature.

Standalone Player

A version of the Flash Player that runs directly off the local system, rather than as a web browser plugin or ActiveX control.

Projector

A self-sufficient executable that includes both a .swf file and a Standalone Player. Projectors can be built for either the Macintosh or Windows operating system using Flash's File Publish feature.

Table P-2. Flash naming conventions used in this book
Name	Meaning
Flash MX	The Flash MX authoring tool (as opposed to the Flash Player)
Flash Player 6	The Flash Player, version 6. The Flash Player is a browser plugin for major web browsers on Windows and Macintosh. There are both ActiveX and Netscape-style versions of the plugin, but they are referred to collectively as "Flash Player 6" except where noted, such as under Accessibility in the ActionScript Language Reference.
Flash Player `x`.0.`y`.0	The Flash Player, specifically, the release specified by `x` and `y`, as in Flash Player 6.0.47.0. See `capabilities.version` in the ActionScript Language Reference for details.
Flash 6	Short for "Flash Player 6," used primarily in the Language Reference or wherever the distinction between Flash MX (the authoring tool) and Flash Player 6 (the browser plugin) is irrelevant.
Flash 5 authoring tool	The Flash 5 authoring tool (as opposed to the Flash Player), which came before Flash MX
Flash Player 5	The Flash Player, version 5
Flash 5	Short for "Flash Player 5," used primarily in the Language Reference or wherever the distinction between Flash 5 (the authoring tool) and Flash Player 5 (the browser plugin) is irrelevant.
Flash 2, Flash 3, and Flash 4	Versions of the Flash Player prior to version 5, used primarily in the Language Reference to indicate which versions of Flash support the given feature.
Standalone Player	A version of the Flash Player that runs directly off the local system, rather than as a web browser plugin or ActiveX control.
Projector	A self-sufficient executable that includes both a .swf file and a Standalone Player. Projectors can be built for either the Macintosh or Windows operating system using Flash's File Publish feature.

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