Strict Data Typing

Learning Actionscript 3 over the past year or so, I must admit I've been of the mindset: Why the @$%* should I bother with strict data typing? It's so restrictive. And it's messy! And all cluttery. So much extra typing...seems like a waste! However, working with some AS code written by a proper flash developer, I can't help but notice that EVERYTHING is typed. Functions are marked as :void when they don't return. And so on. So I forced myself to do some reading on why I should bother. A very nice post I found here has me considering perhaps following the existing convention in this code.

http://www.stevenhargrove.com/strict-data-typing/

I suppose I'll stick to it for now, give it a try. Do you have thoughts on the matter? Please feel free to cuss me out in the comments!

CallFunction() ... What are you?

Continuing working through SWFUpload code, I've come across

returnString = movieElement.CallFunction('' + __flash__argumentsToXML(argumentArray, 0) + '');

Now, I think I get the gist of what is happening here - CallFunction is an Active-X method which seems to take an XML style argument in order to call a function in the Actionscript code. However, googling around I seem to be completely unable to find an API or any definition of this method. Can anyone help me out with this?

Flash Satay - Flash stuff I should Have Known

Another learning step in my dissection of swfUpload - Flash Satay. A lovely way to include flash in your (x)html while still using standards based code. An interesting read even if you don't plan on implementing it (which we probably won't be. Because we are all non-standardsy. Shh.)

http://www.alistapart.com/articles/flashsatay