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Cannasse: ActionScript Compiler

One of the neat things about Laszlo Systems toolkit is the way it turns Flash into just a runtime system. Basically, you have a compiler for an XML and JavaScript like language, that targets the Flash player. Missing from the toolbox were components that allowed one to do really dynamic, highly visual, interactive elements ala processing. Granted, I didn't break a leg looking for one, but I did some extensive browsing through the documentation.

This just came across my del.icio.us transom, but Nicolas Cannasse has released MTASC, the Motion-Twin ActionScript Compiler. This is a command line application that takes ActionScript code and generates an SWF movie, again treating the Flash player as a runtime engine. Not exactly the same as Laszlo, but in the same spirit.

Two big wins. First, for those of us who are visual ide impaired, this gives us entree into hardcore Flash programming. Second, it serves as an examplar for targeting other languages at the Flash player. Think writing Flash movies in something Pythonic.

Apparently MTASC is open source and written in OCaml. Vive la programming du functional!! (Please correct my French.)

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