Flash vs JavaScript?
July 8th, 2006 by xtylerWith a new chapter in the evolution of the internet, commonly coined as Web2.0, there is presented the challenge of defining that chapter. Disputes arise as individuals attempt to predict the success of the future, each one vying for some preferred technology. With the sudden popularity of AJAX (JavaScript server communication) and AJAX-based applications such as Google Maps and Gmail, Flash developers stare open-mouthed thinking, “Flash has been able to do all of that stuff since I was in high school.” So the gauntlet gets tossed as knowing smiles speak the challenge: Flash verses JavaScript.
Which technology is best? Flash has common functionality between environments regardless of browser or system. It has advanced design and animation capabilities as well as really cool alpha-video. It can stream live data, talk to any server JavaScript can talk to, and it’s perfect for robust applications that run in the browser. And about everyone has it!
JavaScript, however, is the internet. The browser is JavaScript’s domain. It coexists with HTML and CSS, fully supporting them in delivering content to the user. It too is capable of robust applications and is the technology of choice for authorities such as Google. It has control over the browser environment, from history to style. And it is more widely supported then the ubiquitous Flash Player.
Then, over the crossfire of boasts from the conflicting technologies is heard the tiny voice of the user, “aren’t I the reason you are here? Isn’t it my needs you are trying to meet?” And sheepishly we forget the conflict and acknowledge a higher purpose.
In fact, now more then ever there are opportunities for Flash and JavaScript to combine their talents and strengthen each other for the common goal of improving the user experience. JavaScript can use Flash for enhancing the design of its content domain, while Flash may rely on JavaScript for providing history and navigation support. This is just the beginning of endless possibilities in their relationship.
The future of the internet is defined by the user experience it will provide, an experience that transcends the constraints of a specific technology or personal bias. It is on our shoulders to build that internet and to allow our greatest work to be in the name of the user.
July 12th, 2006 at 2:08 pm
when doing a google for “flash vs. javascript”, i came here… and you answered the questions perfectly. Thanks for letting me know that I needed to shift my focus back to the user!
Elliott
http://projectvibe.net
November 23rd, 2006 at 3:54 am
Omg, haha. I also did a google for “flash vs. javascript” and came here!! Hahaha. Apparently this is a pretty common google search. Hilarious. Just when you think you’re original, the cards come crashing down as you come to the realization you’re a clone copy.
November 27th, 2006 at 10:16 am
Rob Taylor and I (Tyler Wright) gave an excellent presentation at FlashForward on how to use Flash and Javascript together to create great user experiences. We’ve also presented several times to the group on various Flash and Javascript topics.
As it seems that there is a lot of interest in the topic (especially on the how-to) I will begin a series of Flash/Javascript articles. Until then, our FF presentation materials can be found on Rob’s site: Flash Extensions
October 15th, 2007 at 11:19 am
So… Which is better?
October 15th, 2007 at 7:32 pm
Since I originally wrote this post there have been several developments. First, Adobe open-sourced their new ActionScript 3 virtual machine to Mozilla, code-named The Tamarin Project. The next generation of JavaScript will be based on the new ECMAScript standard, essentially AS3. However, it may take browsers some time to adopt this standard. Which leads us to a recent statistic: Flash is now at 99.1% market penetration - higher than ever before. And the adoption rate of newer versions of the Flash Player is faster than it has ever been.
Ok, so Flash sounds pretty good, but the best method of embedding Flash in a webpage is still through JavaScript. And in order to have deep linking (taking advantage of the browser history while staying on the same HTML page) JavaScript is still necessary, the language of the browser. And for modifying HTML mid-page, and for controlling spacing, sizing, styling, etc.
Flash has too many cool things to miss out on, and JavaScript is essential to todays web, and their languages are almost identical, just using different DOM’s, and it seems their languages will continue to be the same … so why again would I have to choose just one?
Thats the whole point, that there is no point. No point to the argument or comparison. If you’re a JavaScript genius, get into Flash, you’ll have the time of your life. If you’re a Flash guru and you’ve not dabbled in JavaScript, there are some cool things you’re missing out on.
December 21st, 2007 at 5:23 pm
Umm…it should be pointed out that Flashplayer humiliates javascript when considering performance.
Source:
http://www.oddhammer.com/actionscriptperformance/set4/
December 27th, 2007 at 9:23 pm
I think if you compare ActionScript 1 or 2 to JavaScript then it’s a close call. ActionScript 3 on the other hand is unquestionably better than JavaScript ( in my own opinion of course ). The coolest thing to me about JS is you can write JS that reads itself or deletes itself or writes other JS. The thing I hate most about JS is debugging it. Even with the best debugger it can still be a pain.