Flash Form and Navigation Button Issue (DoFSCommand)

6 Message(s) by 2 Author(s) originally posted in flash and cfml

From: bryn50

Date: Friday, July 20, 2007

Hi,

In short, How can I get a <CFINPUT type

<theory, programming> (Or "data type") A set of values from
	which a {variable}, {constant}, {function}, or other
	{expression} may take its value.  A type is a classification
	of data that tells the {compiler} or {interpreter} how the
	programmer intends to use it.  For example, the process and
	result of adding two variables differs greatly according to
	whether they are integers, floating point numbers, or strings.

	Types supported by most programming languages include
	{integers} (usually limited to some range so they will fit in
	one {word} of storage), {Booleans}, {floating point numbers},
	and characters.  {Strings} are also common, and are
	represented as {lists} of characters in some languages.

	If s and t are types, then so is s -> t, the type of
	{functions} from s to t; that is, give them a term of type s,
	functions of type s -> t will return a term of type t.

	Some types are {primitive} - built-in to the language, with no
	visible internal structure - e.g. Boolean; others are
	composite - constructed from one or more other types (of
	either kind) - e.g. {lists}, {arrays}, {structures}, {unions}.
	{Object-oriented programming} extends this with {classes}
	which encapsulate both the structure of a type and the
	operations that can be performed on it.

	Some languages provide {strong typing}, others allow {implicit
	type conversion} and/or {explicit type conversion}.

	(2003-12-22)

="button" to send out a JAVAscript
command

<operating system> A character string which tells a program to
	perform a specific action.  Most commands take {arguments}
	which either modify the action performed or supply it with
	input.  Commands may be typed by the user or read from a file
	by a {command interpreter}.  It is also common to refer to
	menu items as commands.

	(1997-06-21)

to change the current

<electronics> The quantity of {charge} per unit time, measured
	in Amperes (Amps, A).  By historical convention, the sign of
	current is positive for currents flowing from positive to
	negative {potential}, but experience indicates that electrons
	are negatively charged and flow in the opposite direction.

	(1995-10-05)

page location.

I have this code:
When I click

<hardware> To press and release a {button} on a {mouse} or
	other {pointing device}.  This generates an {event}, also
	specifying the screen position, which is processed by the
	{window manager} or {application program}.  On a mouse with
	more than one button, the unqualified term usually implies
	pressing the left-most button (with the right index finger),
	other buttons would be qualified, e.g. "{right-click}".
	{Keyboard} modifiers may also be used, e.g. "shift-click",
	meaning to hold down the shift key on the keyboard while
	clicking the mouse button.

	If the mouse moves while the button is pressed then this is a
	{drag}.

	(1995-03-14)

on the HTML

<hypertext, World-Wide Web, standard> (HTML) A {hypertext}
	document format used on the {World-Wide Web}.  HTML is built
	on top of {SGML}.  "Tags" are embedded in the text.  A tag
	consists of a "<", a "directive" (in lower case), zero or
	more parameters and a ">".  Matched pairs of directives, like
	"<title>" and "</title>" are used to delimit text which is to
	appear in a special place or style.

	Links to other documents are in the form

	 <a href="http://machine.edu/subdir/file.html">foo</a>

	where "<a>" and "</a>" delimit an "anchor", "href" introduces
	a hypertext reference, which is most often a {Uniform Resource
	Locator} (URL) (the string in double quotes in the example
	above).  The link will be represented in the browser by the
	text "foo" (typically shown underlined and in a different
	colour).

	A certain place within an HTML document can be marked with a
	named anchor, e.g.:

	 <a name="baz">

	The "fragment identifier", "baz", can be used in an href by
	appending "#baz" to the document name.

	Other common tags include <p> for a new paragraph, <b>..</b>
	for bold text, <ul> for an unnumbered list, <pre> for
	preformated text, <h1>, <h2> .. <h6> for headings.

	{HTML} supports some standard {SGML} {national characters} and
	other non-{ASCII} characters through special {escape
	sequences}, e.g. "&eacute;" for a lower case 'e' with an acute
	accent.  You can sometimes get away without the terminating
	semicolon but it's bad style.

	Most systems will ignore the case of tags and attributes but
	lower case should be used for compatibility with {XHTML}.

	The {World-Wide Web Consortium} (W3C) is the international
	{standards} body for HTML.

	Latest version: {XHTML} 1.0, as of 2000-09-10.

	{Home (http://www.w3.org/MarkUp/)}.

	{Character escape sequences
	(http://www.w3.org/hypertext/WWW/MarkUp/ISOlat1.html)}.

	See also {weblint}.

	(2006-01-19)

type button, the relocation happens as expected.
When I click on the equivalent CFFORM button, it doesn't.

I'm guessing it is something in the syntax

The structure of strings in some language.  A language's
	syntax is described by a {grammar}.  For example, the syntax
	of a binary number could be expressed as

		binary_number = bit [ binary_number ]

		bit = "0" | "1"

	meaning that a binary number is a bit optionally followed by a
	binary number and a bit is a literal zero or one digit.

	The meaning of the language is given by its {semantics}.

	See also {abstract syntax}, {concrete syntax}.

	(1994-10-31)

of the onClick event, but I have to
say I'm lost. Flash MX documentation

<programming> The multiple kilograms of macerated, pounded,
	steamed, bleached, and pressed trees that accompany most
	modern software or hardware products (see also {tree-killer}).
	Hackers seldom read paper documentation and (too) often resist
	writing it; they prefer theirs to be terse and {on-line}.  A
	common comment on this predilection is "You can't {grep} dead
	trees".

	See {drool-proof paper}, {verbiage}, {treeware}.

	[{Jargon File}]

	(2003-10-25)

says this should work right (?)

Cheers,

<script language="JAVAScript">

function

1. <mathematics> (Or "map", "mapping") If D and C are sets
	(the domain and codomain) then a function f from D to C,
	normally written "f : D -> C" is a subset of D x C such that:

	1. For each d in D there exists some c in C such that (d,c) is
	an element of f.  I.e. the function is defined for every
	element of D.

	2. For each d in D, c1 and c2 in C, if both (d,c1) and (d,c2)
	are elements of f then c1 = c2.  I.e. the function is uniquely
	defined for every element of D.

	See also {image}, {inverse}, {partial function}.

	2. <programming> Computing usage derives from the mathematical
	term but is much less strict.  In programming (except in
	{functional programming}), a function may return different
	values each time it is called with the same argument values
	and may have {side effects}.

	A {procedure} is a function which returns no value but has
	only {side-effects}.  The {C} language, for example, has no
	procedures, only functions.  {ANSI C} even defines a {type},
	{void}, for the result of a function that has no result.

	(1996-09-01)

fred_DoFSCommand(command, arguments){
alert("Caught Command:" + command + " arguments:" + arguments);
var mytarget=parent.window.document.getElementById('mainarea');
if (command == "goURL") {
mytarget.src=arguments;
}
}
</script>
</head>
<body>
<form action="" name="freddy" id="freddy">
<input type="button" name="mybutton" id="mybutton" value="MyButton"
onClick="JAVAscript:fred_DoFSCommand('goURL', 'http://news.bbc.co.uk');"
visible="Yes" enabled="Yes">
</form>
<CFFORM action="#self#" method="POST" target="mainarea" name="fred"
height="100" width="100" format="Flash" skin="haloBlue" id="fred">
<CFINPUT type="Button" name="mybutton" value="MyButton" visible="Yes"
enabled="Yes" onClick="{ fscommand('goURL', 'http://news.bbc.co.uk') };">
</CFFORM>

From: bryn50

Date: Wednesday, July 25, 2007

Replying to my own posts again...

the answer came in the Flex 1.5 documents for Actionscript 3 (I assume this is
what ColdFusion

<World-Wide Web, database, tool> {Allaire Corporation}'s
	commercial {database} application development tool that allows
	{databases} to have a {World-Wide Web} {interface}, so a
	database can be queried and updated using a {web browser}.

	The ColdFusion Server application runs on the {web server} and
	has access to a {database}.  ColdFusion files on the web
	server are {HTML} pages with additional ColdFusion commands to
	{query} or {update} the database, written in {CFML}.  When the
	page is requested by the user, the {web server} passes the
	page to the Cold Fusion application, which executes the {CFML}
	commands, places the results of the {CFML} commands in the
	{HTML} file, and returns the page to the {web server}.  The
	page returned to the {web server} is now an ordinary {HTML}
	file, and it is sent to the user.

	Examples of ColdFusion applications include order entry, event
	registration, catalogue search, directories, calendars, and
	interactive training.  ColdFusion applications are robust
	because all database interactions are encapsulated in a single
	industrial-strength {CGI} script.  The formatting and
	presentation can be modified and revised at any time (as
	opposed to having to edit and recompile {source code}).

	ColdFusion Server can connect with any database that supports
	{ODBC} or {OLE DB} or one that has a native database driver.
	Native database drivers are available for {Oracle} and
	{Sybase} databases.

	ColdFusion is available for {Windows}, {Solaris}, and {HP-UX}.
	A {development environment} for creating ColdFusion files,
	called ColdFusion Studio, is also available for {Windows}.

	Current version: MX(6), as of 2003-07-11.

	The {filename extension} for ColdFusion files is .cfm

	{Home (http://www.coldfusion.com/)}.

	(2003-07-27)

8 has behind the scenes).
The doc says:
"In ActionScript 3.0, the functionality of the External API

<programming> (API, or "application programming interface")
	The interface (calling conventions) by which an {application
	program} accesses {operating system} and other services.  An
	API is defined at {source code} level and provides a level of
	{abstraction} between the application and the {kernel} (or
	other privileged utilities) to ensure the {portability} of the
	code.

	An API can also provide an interface between a {high level
	language} and lower level utilities and services which were
	written without consideration for the {calling conventions}
	supported by compiled languages.  In this case, the API's main
	task may be the translation of parameter lists from one format
	to another and the interpretation of {call-by-value} and
	{call-by-reference} arguments in one or both directions.

	(1995-02-15)

(application

1. {application program}.

	2. {function application}.

programming

1. The art of debugging a blank sheet of paper (or, in these
	days of on-line editing, the art of debugging an empty file).

	2. A pastime similar to banging one's head against a wall, but
	with fewer opportunities for reward.

	3. The most fun you can have with your clothes on (although
	clothes are not mandatory).

	[{Jargon File}]

	(2003-02-12)

interface

<jargon> A boundary across which two systems communicate.  An
	interface might be a hardware connector used to link to other
	devices, or it might be a convention used to allow
	communication between two software systems.  Often there is
	some intermediate component between the two systems which
	connects their interfaces together.  For example, two {EIA-232}
	interfaces connected via a serial cable.

	See also {graphical user interface}, {Application Program
	Interface}.

	(1996-05-22)

)is provided by the
ExternalInterface class."...
"If you need to use the old fscommand() function--for example, to maintain
compatibility with older applications or to interact with a third-party SWF
container application or the stand-alone

<jargon> Capable of operating without other programs,
	libraries, computers, hardware, networks, etc.  Exactly what
	is absent is presumed to be obvious from context.

	"We only run Windows on stand-alone PCs because it's too
	dangerous to run it on networked ones."

	(1998-02-11)

Flash Player--it is still available as
a package-level function in the flash.system package."

However I'd like to make the point

1. <unit, text> (Sometimes abbreviated "pt") The unit of
	length used in {typography} to specify text character height,
	{rule} width, and other small measurements.

	There are six slightly different definitions: {Truchet point},
	{Didot point}, {ATA point}, {TeX point}, {Postscript point},
	and {IN point}.

	In Europe, the most commonly used is Didot and in the US, the
	formerly standard ATA point has essentially been replaced by
	the PostScript point due to the demise of traditional
	typesetting systems and rise of desktop computer based systems
	running software such as {QuarkXPress}, {Adobe InDesign} and
	{Adobe Pagemaker}.

	There are 20 {twips} in a point and 12 points in a {pica}
	(known as a "Cicero" in the Didot system).

	{Different point systems
	(http://www.vakcer.com/oberon/dtp/fonts/point.htm)}.

	(2004-12-23)

	2. <hardware> To move a {pointing device} so that the
	on-screen pointer is positioned over a certain object on the
	screen such as a {button} in a {graphical user interface}.  In
	most {window systems} it is then necessary to {click} a
	(physical) button on the pointing device to activate or select
	the object.  In some systems, just pointing to an object is
	known as "mouse-over" {event} which may cause some help text
	(called a "tool tip" in {Windows}) to be displayed.

	(2001-05-21)

that no-where anywhere in the ColdFusion
documentation is even one tiny example of the use of action script coding to
enhance the basic functionality of CFForm. To much to ask ?

Oh yes, and one other thing, it seems as though the getURL actionscript
command does what I needed to do in this case.

Cheers,

From: Alain Levy

Date: Thursday, August 09, 2007

Hi,

In relation

1. <mathematics> A subset of the {product} of two sets, R : A
	x B.  If (a, b) is an element of R then we write a R b,
	meaning a is related to b by R.  A relation may be:
	{reflexive} (a R a), {symmetric} (a R b => b R a),
	{transitive} (a R b & b R c => a R c), {antisymmetric} (a R b
	& b R a => a = b) or {total} (a R b or b R a).

	See {equivalence relation}, {partial ordering}, {pre-order},
	{total ordering}.

	2. <database> A {table} in a {relational database}.

	(1995-02-28)

to communication issues between Flash and JAVAscript: I am trying
to get JAVAscript to talk

<chat, tool, networking, messaging> A {Unix} program and
	{protocol} supporting conversation between two or more users
	who may be logged into the same computer or different
	computers on a network.  Variants include {ntalk}, {ytalk},
	and {ports} or {emulators} of these programs for other
	{platforms}.

	{Unix} has the {talk} program and {protocol} and its variants
	{xtalk} and {ytalk} for the {X Window System}; {VMS} has
	{phone}; {Windows for Workgroups} has {chat}.  {ITS} also has
	a talk system.  These split the screen into separate areas for
	each user.

	{Unix}'s {write} command can also be used, though it does not
	attempt to separate input and output on the screen.

	Users of such systems are said to be in {talk mode} which has
	many conventional abbreviations and idioms.  Most of these
	survived into {chat} jargon, but many fell out of common use
	with the migration of {user} prattle from talk-like systems to
	{chat} systems in the early 1990s.  These disused
	talk-specific forms include:

	"BYE?" - are you ready to close the conversation?  This is the
	standard way to end a talk-mode conversation; the other person
	types "BYE" to confirm, or else continues the conversation.

	"JAM"/"MIN" - just a minute

	"O" - "over" (I have stopped talking).  Also "/" as in x/y - x
	over y, or two newlines (the latter being the most common).

	"OO" - "over and out" - end of conversation.

	"\" - Greek {lambda}.

	"R U THERE?" - are you there?

	"SEC" - wait a second.

	"/\/\/" - laughter.  But on a {MUD}, this usually means
	"earthquake fault".

	See also {talk bomb}.

	(1998-01-25)

to my Flash form, but I can not get it to work.
I'd like at least to be able to change the value of a hidden field

<data, database> An area of a {database} {record}, or
	{graphical user interface} {form}, into which a particular
	item of data is entered.

	Example usage: "The telephone number field is not really a
	numerical field", "Why do we need a four-digit field for the
	year?".

	A {database} {column} is the set of all instances of a given
	field from all records in a {table}.

	(1999-04-26)

in my
form, or even better to execute

<operating system, programming> The process of carrying out
	the {instructions} in a computer program by a computer.

	See also {dry run}.

	(1996-05-13)

an actionscript function, from JAVAscript.
I believe the answer lies somewhere around the ExternalInterface.addCallback
function, but I just can not get it to work.

I am trying to do this because I have a flash form with a tab navigator and
the showing tab is bound to a hidden field.So far so good...I am now trying to
use the new CF8 CFMENU functionality to control

<character> (Or "ctrl", "^") One (or a pair) of {modifier
	keys} found on all modern {keyboards}.  If the control key is
	held down while pressing and releasing certain other keys then
	a "{control character}" is generated, e.g. holding control and
	hitting "A" generates control-A ({ASCII} code 1).  The ASCII
	code for the control character is generally 64 less than that
	for the unmodified character.

	The control key does not generate any character on its own but
	most modern keyboards and {operating systems} allow a program
	to tell whether each of the individual keys on the keyboard
	(including modifier keys) is pressed at any time.

	Control characters mostly have some kind of "non-printing"
	effect on the output such as ringing the bell (Control-G) or
	advancing to the next line (Control-J).  Most have alternative
	names suggesting these functions (Bell, Line Feed, etc.).

	See {ASCII character table}.

	(1997-07-10)

which tab shows. That's why I
need it!

Any direction appreciated! Thanks a lot!

Alain

From: bryn50

Date: Thursday, August 09, 2007

Hi Alain,

Not sure if I can help directly however I found the following.
a) biggest issue was deciding which version

<programming> One of a sequence of copies of a program, each
	incorporating new modifications.  Each version is usually
	identified by a number, commonly of the form X.Y where X is
	the major version number and Y is the release number.
	Typically an increment in X (with Y reset to zero) signifies a
	substantial increase in the function of the program or a
	partial or total re-implementation, whereas Y increases each
	time the progam is changed in any way and re-released.

	Version numbers are useful so that the user can know if the
	program has changed ({bugs} have been fixed or new functions
	added) since he obtained his copy and the programmer can tell
	if a bug report relates to the current version.  It is thus
	always important to state the version when reporting bugs.
	Statements about compatibility between different software
	components should always say which versions they apply to.

	See {change management}.

	(1997-12-07)

of actionscript documentation to
read. I decided upon Flex Actionscript version 1.5 and this seems to hold out,
even with CF8. Not happy with Adobe's lack of any kind of example for
actionscripting within CFFORM/Flash which would've helped just to get me
started. I found not even one tiny example in all the docs I read.
b) I never got JAVAscript talking to the flash form or vice-versa. I went for
purely actionscript within the flash form and it seems to work.
c) I can see why you need it to work, and if you find out please let me know,
I'll be fascinated as I had in mind to do some things like that for my own
App (e.g. I suspect will sooner or later not be able to avoid this issue
myself.).

Cheers and best of luck..

BP.

From: bryn50

Date: Thursday, August 09, 2007

Try the attached script.

I remain convince that for some reason Adobe have nobbled (technical term) the
functiningf of the external interface in flash forms

1. <programming> {fill-out form}.

	2. <library> (Xforms) A {GUI} component library for {X11}.

	(1998-03-24)

Dont know why, but
unexplained.
Neither externalinterface nor fscommand seem to work as best I can tell. (see
attached).

Cheers,
BP

<html>
<head>
<title>my test page</title>
<CFAJAXIMPORT tags = "cfform">
<script language="JAVAScript" charset="utf-8">

</script>

</head>
<body>

<CFFORM action="p2action.cfm" method="POST" name="myflashform" height="100"
width="500" format="Flash" style="themeColor:##2B52FF;" skin="haloBlue"
id="myflashform" wmode="transparent">
<CFFORMITEM type="script">
import

<data> To read data that is not in the native format of the
	application.  For example, a {web browser} will have its own
	way of storing {bookmarks} but it will usually provide a
	function to import bookmarks from {Internet Explorer}.  The
	alternative is to provide an independent external conversion
	utility but this is usually less convenient for the user.

	(2004-11-15)

mx.external.*;
public function myFunc():Number {
return 42;
}

function initApp() {
alert("Hello from initApp" + myFunc() );
if (mx.external.ExternalInterface.available) {
alert("external interface is available..");
var f:String = "myJAVAScriptFunction";
var m:String = mx.external.ExternalInterface.call(f);
mx.external.ExternalInterface.addCallback("myFlexFunction",myFunc);
} else {
// Handle failure

The inability of a system or system component to perform a
	required function within specified limits.  A failure may be
	produced when a {fault} is encountered.

	(1996-05-13)

here.
alert("external interface isn't available..");

}

}

function myClick() {
alert("Calling JAVAscript Now");
fscommand("fred", 1);
fscommand("showmenu", true);
}
</CFFORMITEM>
<CFINPUT type="Text" name="fred" value="12" label="myFlashformitem"
required="No" visible="Yes" enabled="Yes" size="10">
<CFINPUT type="Button" name="mybutton" visible="Yes" enabled="Yes"
onclick="initApp();" value="Clickme">
<CFINPUT type="Button" name="mybutton2" visible="Yes" enabled="Yes"
onclick="myClick();" value="fscommand">
</CFFORM>

<form>
<button onclick="callApp();">Call App</button>

</form>
</body>
</html>

From: Alain Levy

Date: Thursday, August 09, 2007

Hi, and thanks +++ for your reply

See {followup}.

and the code... I can not get it to work
either, it drives me mad...
I wish asfusion'd get their teeth on it, they are just the best!
Unfortunately, they aren't much into flash forms these days, just flex...

Will keep you posted - and everyone else! - if I can get it to work!

Alain

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