I am working on a chatting app that makes use of flash sockets. I don't want to code the entire interface in flash, so I was hoping to just use flash to talk to the socketserver and call js to modify the dom.

can this be done?

I am working on a chatting app that makes use of flash sockets. I don't want to code the entire interface in flash, so I was hoping to just use flash to talk to the socketserver and call js to modify the dom.

can this be done?

• javascript
• flash
• actionscript-3
• actionscript

• You may be interested in HTML5 websockets. They perform a similar function to Flash sockets. Downside is going to be browser support but it depends on your objectives and timeframe. – SpliFF Commented Feb 4, 2011 at 5:01
• Hi Spliff, I originally implemented it using sockets and works great. Was disappointed by the browser support though (only Chrome currently) :( – Andy Hin Commented Feb 4, 2011 at 16:01

2 Answers 2

To call a JavaScript function from Flash, use the ExternalInterface.call function in ActionScript:

import flash.external.ExternalInterface;

// Call a JavaScript function
ExternalInterface.call("your_javascript_function");

// Get a return value from a JavaScript function
var x:int = ExternalInterface.call("get_x");

// Pass an argument to a JavaScript function
var retval:int = ExternalInterface.call("some_js_function", "the-argument");

To call an ActionScript function from JavaScript, first use the ExternalInterface.addCallback function in ActionScript:

// "methodName" is the method to call in JavaScript
// instanceObject.realMethod is the method that will be triggered
var successful = ExternalInterface.addCallback("methodName",
                                               instanceObject,
                                               realMethod);

Then, get a handle on the SWFObject in JavaScript and call the ActionScript method as follows:

function makeActionScriptCall() {
    var flash = document.getElementById(movieName);
    flash.methodName(parametersIfAny);
}

For more information, see:

• http://livedocs.adobe./flash/9.0/ActionScriptLangRefV3/flash/external/ExternalInterface.html
• http://codingrecipes./calling-a-javascript-function-from-actionscript-3-flash
• http://bytes./topic/flash/answers/694359-how-do-i-access-flash-function-using-javascript

Use the ExternalInterface object to have your ActionScript be able to call JavaScript functions and vice-versa.