ActionScript

ActionScript was an object-oriented programming language that was first created by Macromedia Inc. in the 1990s (later acquired by Adobe Systems). It has been inspired by HyperTalk, which is the scripting language used by HyperCard. Even though it was originally conceived as a sibling of JavaScript (meaning that it is a superset of the syntax and semantics of the language more widely known as JavaScript), it is now considered to be an implementation of ECMAScript. Both languages were influenced by the HyperTalk programming language.

ActionScript was mainly used for the creation of websites and applications for the Adobe Flash Player platform, which was implemented on Web pages in the form of embedded SWF files (Shockwave Flash files).

Additionally, ActionScript 3 was used in conjunction with the Adobe AIR technology to create desktop and mobile apps. The language itself is open-source in the sense that its specification is accessible free of charge, and that both an open-source compiler (as part of Apache Flex) and an open-source virtual machine (Mozilla Tamarin) are available for use with the language.

ActionScript was also utilised in conjunction with Scaleform GFX for the creation of 3D video game user interfaces and heads-up displays (HUDs).