Variables

[Phil Matt]

Gregg Caines wrote:

 

> You've got the syntax right for making the variable global (usable by

> all clips on the stage) by putting the /: in front of it.

> 

> Your problem is that you set it to "1" (which is a string, with one

> character, which is a 1).  Use trace("textstatus is" & /:textstatus)

> to verify that the value is in there.

> 

> Next, in your if statement, put If (/:textstatus eq "1") ...

> You must test strings using 'eq'.  Otherwise you can can set the

> variable to be 1, not "1", and use =


Gregg - thanks for your note. I eventually scoped out the problem 

with the string vs. numerical expressions. I found it kinda strange 

that typing in the = sign wouldn't automatically tell Flash that I was 

intending an arithmetic operation. I figured out the problem by 

trying a string and using the eq expression.


However, even though I can get the variables to work properly if I 

assign strings to them, I STILL cannot get variables to work if I try to 

use numeric values. I have checked and double-checked my 

expressions, but it seems that Flash somehow doesn't recognize a 

statement such as


Set variable /:whatever = 1


If I do a List Variables under Test Movie, and Output window shows:


Layer #0: 

  Variable _level0:whatever = "1"


I cannot get the 1 without the quotes around it regardless of how I 

write the expression.

 

> I'd also recommend using Visible instead of Alpha, where visible is

> either true or false. 


This was just for testing. Actually, depending on the state of the 

variable is use, the roll over will just play a different frame of a MC 

containing one text box per frame. This is being used for giving the 

user contextually-sensitive info.

 

> Hopefully Flash 5 hasn't mangled my memory too much...


I have Flash 5, but am not planning to switch over until more users 

have it installed. 


Thanks again for your help.


Cheers --- Phil

Phil Matt Photography

www.philmatt.com

716-461-5977