ActionScript - Absolutely Insane

With a big name like Adobe, you would expect these people to have a clue.

This is a (hopefully) small collection of insane points - "features" that make no sense at all.

CR/LF

The built-in help for loadDictionary (pdf) says

You can parse this string into an array of words by using the split() method, breaking at each instance of a carriage return (character code 10).

Everyone knows that ASCII code 10 is a Linefeed, Carriage Return is actually a 13. (The web page shows that this was fixed 11-01-2007 ... however, as of 01-15-08, it is still wrong in the pdf and the local help you get pressing F1.)

Unfortunately, ActionScript3 messes up with DOS/Windows text files which end in CR/LF - 13,10 - instead of the Unix LF - 10 - line termination character.

Code Writing

The way you write code could not be more user hostile

If you don't memorize the following keystrokes, don't bother developing applications

F9	Toggle the code development page
Ctrl-Enter	Test code without breakpoints
Ctrl-Shift-Enter	Test code with breakpoints
Ctrl-C	Copy
Ctrl-V	Paste
Ctrl-Space	Sometimes, this shows help ... or not

The built-in context sensitive coding help (where it provides hints) does not work with any objects or classes you create
The help never limits the options to what makes sense or is legal
Everything is case sensitive - even the built-in help

This is so bad that you would think this is 1985 or something. These guys must have never written a real program in their lives.

Debug crashes Flash

Flash crashes so often ... you would think it was never tested. Debug mode is very shakey ... ALWAYS save before each run. Apparently, this is the error

# An unexpected error has been detected by HotSpot Virtual Machine:
#
#  EXCEPTION_ACCESS_VIOLATION (0xc0000005) at pc=0x7c9106c3, pid=2588, tid=3128
#
# Java VM: Java HotSpot(TM) Client VM (1.5.0_09-b01 mixed mode)
# Problematic frame:
# C  [ntdll.dll+0x106c3]

I thought I was able to keep Java OFF my machine ... guess not ... now I've got another serious parasite to contend with.

There is no way to process pending messages

Delphi	Application.ProcesssMessages
Basic	sleep() DoEvents

Author: Robert Clemenzi - clemenzi@cpcug.org