The second part of the history of Flash and its development direction
First, Flash's history
The earliest version of FLASH is called Future Splash Animator. At that time, the two users of Future Splash Animator were Microsoft and Disney. In November 1996, Future Splash Animator sold MM (Macromedia.com) and renamed Flash1.0. The characters who have to mention here are Jonathan Gay, which is his six-person team first created Future Splash Animator, which is now the true predecessor of Flash.
Macromedia launched Flash 2.0 in June 1997, launched Flash 3.0 in May 1998. But these earlier versions of Flash are all ShockWave players. Since Flash enters 4.0, the ShockWave player used is for Director for use only. Flash 4.0 starts with its own dedicated player, called "Flash Player", but in order to keep down compatibility, Flash still uses the original extension: .swf (ShockWave Flash).
In August 2000, Macromedia launched Flash5.0, which supported the player for Flash Player 5. The ActionScript in Flash 5.0 has made great progress and starts support for XML and Smart Clip (Smart Movie Clip). The syntax of ActionScript has begun to develop into a complete object-oriented language and follow the standard of ECMAScript, just like JavaScript.
March 2002 Macromedia launched a player supported by Flash MX as Flash Player 6. Flash 6 starts support for external JPG and MP3, and also adds more built-in objects, providing more accurate control of HTML text, and inventing the concept of setInterval overclocking frames. It also improves the compression technology of the SWF file. So what does "MX" mean? So far, there is no official confirmation. If you must think that it is an abbreviation for a word, you can use Macromedia Experience as the best answer. The most authoritative answer commented from the person in charge of Macromedia Designer & Developmenter Center (Macromedia Designer and Developer Center):
1. All products are equipped with MX nicknames because they are part of a full product family, and we believe that through the entire front desk and background-integrated products, we can make users more efficiently completed various complex projects.
2, more important upgrades by upgrading just from the version number, such as Flash, by 5, using the MX tag can reflect more important upgrades, it seems that users seem to get a new product, from 5 to MX!
3, MX means that Macromedia tries some new things, in my point of view, Flash MX is more than a revolutionary upgrade, but also a major evolution of Macromedia. I can't say too much, because Flash MX is just a beginning, the next few months will be more reflected.
(Original address: http://www.macromedia.com/desdev/logged_in/thale_mx.html)
Although he still does not answer MX in what does MX mean, and the last sentence "MX means that Macromedia tries some new things", exposes Macromedia Experience's meaning, and there is reason to guess, MX may be Macromedia X meaning, ie Macromedia's future path, Macromedia is trying to expand a new revolution. In August 2003 Macromedia launched Flash MX 2004, the version of its player was named Flash Player 7. Flash MX 2004 has added a number of new features:
A. Support for mobile devices and mobile phones, Pocket PC (and clear display of pixel fonts);
B. Flash Player Runtime performance has increased by 2 to 5 times;
C, support for embedded images and SWFs in HTML text;
D, FLV external video support (integrated with QuickTime);
E, support for Adobe PDF and other documents;
F, the screen-based visual development environment;
G, visual programming environment;
H, advanced controllable appearance component support;
I, data binding;
Pre-built data connectors of J, Web services and XML;
K, project management function;
L, source code control system;
M, other
At the same time, the control and plug-in open JSFL (Macromedia Flash JavaScript API) for Flash itself, Macromedia undoubtedly begins to mobilize the huge strength and collective wisdom of Flasher on the Internet.
Second, the development direction of Flash
Flash is called "the most flexible front desk", due to its unique time fragment division (MC nested) technology, combined with ActionSCITP objects and process control, making it possible to design and animated in the flexible interface design and animation And it is also the most small front desk. FLASH has a cross-platform feature (like Java), so regardless of the platform you are in, as long as you have supported Flash Player, you can guarantee the consistency of their final display, not to be in the previous webpage. The design is designed for IE or NetSpace in the design. Like Java, it has strong portability. The latest Flash also has a mobile phone support function that allows users to design their favorite features. Of course, you must first have a mobile phone that supports Flash, and it can also be applied to the Pocket PC.
So, what is the possible development direction of Flash?
1. Application Development: Due to its unique cross-platform characteristics, flexible interface control, and multimedia characteristics, it makes it a strong vitality with Flash. There is an unparalleled advantage in any other way in communication with users. Of course, some functions may also rely on XML or other client technologies such as JavaScript. But the current status is: very few people have experience in developing this application using Flash. But this difficulty will gradually weaken over time. In fact, for large projects, use Flash, there is no such thing as it is because it means a big risk. Of course, the earliest time to master and accumulate this experience is undoubtedly a big competitive. This technique can be used in a small part or small project in the project to reduce the risk of development.
2. Software system interface development: Flash's control of the controllability of the interface element and the effect it expresses undoubtedly a great temptation. For a software system interface, Flash has the characteristics that can provide a good interface for users. 3, the development of mobile phone: The development of mobile phones will have higher requirements for accurate (pixel level) interface design and CPU use distribution, but also more widely used space. In fact, the boundaries of mobile phones and Pocket PCs have become more unaptim, developers must design a different interface for each mobile phone (or Pocket PC) because their screen size is different. Of course, the kernel's kernel may be the same, what to note is the computing power and memory size of various types of mobile phone CPUs. This is undoubtedly a very demanding requirement.
4. Game development: In fact, game development in Flash has been tried for many years. But so far, there is still a development of small games. A large part of the game development is limited to its CPU capabilities and a large number of code management. However, it is, Flash Player 7 is running up to 2 to 5 times; and the latest Flash MX 2004 Professional provides project management and code maintenance features, and the release of ActionScript 2.0 also makes programs easier to maintain and develop.
5, web application service: It is actually how big it is difficult to define the range of web application services, it seems that it has unlimited possible. With the gradual penetration of the network, the application design based on the client-server has also begun to gradually be popular, and it is known as the most promising way. However, this way developers may spend more time on server background processing capabilities and architecture and keep them synchronized with the front desk (Flash end).
6. Site construction: In fact, only a very few people have mastered technology using Flash to build a full FLASH site. Because it means higher interface maintenance capabilities and developers' whole station architectural capabilities. But it also brings an abnormality: comprehensive control; seamless guiding jump; more rich media content; more considerate user's smooth interaction; support for cross-platform and thin clients; and other Flash applications seamless Connection integration, etc.
7, multimedia entertainment: In fact, there is no need to say anything in this regard. Although its development speed is not as fast as the prediction, it is still progressing. Flash itself is widely advocated by multimedia and interactive. It brings a cordial atmosphere to believe that every user will like it.
8
, Teaching system development: application in teaching system
Flash
Existing technologies will undoubtedly enhance students' initiative and active discovery. In teaching system development, technology is not dominate, and teaching content is what it really requires.
