ActionScript vs. JavaScript

ActionScript is a very powerful RIA programming language that was launched in 1998 by Macromedia. It’s deemed to be the most powerful programming language for RIA before Ajax. It uses Flash as a means of interacting with the users.

Although it will require Flash in local computers, the popularity of Flash has made the interaction with the client side possible without any need of download. ActionScript is now controlled by Adobe who purchased Macromedia in 2005.

JavaScript before Ajax has been deemed as an “eye candy” programming language. The reason for this is that developers are not able to come in terms of XMLHttpRequest. Before Ajax, XHR is only limited to IE since Microsoft doesn’t want to share this powerful function.

When Ajax was launched, JavaScript shed off its eye candy status and become one of the most sought after programming language today. Developers around the world are scrambling to learn this programming language to develop Ajax based applications.

Frameworks have also been developed to convert codes into JavaScript so that it could be developed into a full feature Ajax based application. From a simple eye candy programming language, JavaScript became a very powerful programming language for Rich Internet Application.

Although JavaScript has been developed into greater heights, ActionScript is continuously being developed by Adobe. Today, ActionScript could be easily compared to JavaScript as each of these RIA programming languages has their own advantages and disadvantages. Depending on the need of the developers, they should be able to select which programming language to select.

Using ActionScript

ActionScript’s experience in providing RIA has been proven and it continuous to do so under the radar of JavaScript. Developers that use ActionScript are well known in building applications that could easily handle multimedia files.

Audio and video integration is no problem with the use of ActionScript. Obviously, the integration of Flash in ActionScript has enabled this feature. If the developer wants to build an application full of multimedia interaction, then ActionScript should be the choice of programming language.

But as expected, ActionScript is a lot heavier compared to JavaScript. ActionScript is also loose in its coding as it will never require the developer to be very conscious on the case of the codes.

Using JavaScript

On the other hand, JavaScript has been the option for developers in building lightweight applications. This is also the option for developers who also wanted to build an application that will never require any previous download.

Developers will be required to properly code JavaScript but this is eased up with the presence of hundreds of frameworks ready to be used in building an Ajax based application. Because of the popularity of JavaScript, support has been possible for almost any concerns…except security.

Even with the popularity of Ajax and JavaScript security is still the main concern of developers as this programming language can’t be easily secured. The only way to secure JavaScript is through the assistance of other programming language.

If you would like to develop a multi-media application, you should go with ActionScript. On the other hand, JavaScript or an Ajax based application ensures interactivity even if it is a lightweight application.