Activity › Forums › Adobe After Effects Expressions › Java course for Expressions?
-
Java course for Expressions?
Posted by Marc on April 22, 2005 at 11:19 amHi guys,
I’d like your opinion on the best way to learn writing detailed Expressions. I’m aware of websites including JJ Gifford’s but I’ve been given the opportunity to search for a Java training course by my employer.
What kind of Java is the best to learn as I know there is more than one type?
Would you say that this kind of course is the most comprehensive way to learn about how to write detailed Expressions?
Many thanks,
Marc
Marc replied 19 years, 7 months ago 5 Members · 6 Replies -
6 Replies
-
Steve Roberts
April 22, 2005 at 11:29 amI’m no expert, but Java is not Javascript.
Javascript will help you write detailed expressions, not Java, as far as I know.
Steve
-
Brandon
April 22, 2005 at 3:58 pmYea, you’ll want to look for Javascript courses not Java. There is a difference. Wouldn’t want you getting into a Java course only to realize thats not what you need.
-
Mylenium
April 22, 2005 at 5:57 pmLike the others said there is a difference between Java and JavaScript, so make sure you figure that out first. If you can find a JavaScript course, make sure it is generic enough and especially explains some mathematical stuff as well as the more useful classes, objects and methods related to that math and strings. Unfortunately there is a great misconception out there that JavaScript is used on the web only and 90% of all courses will only teach you things like creating buttons and other web fancies. That’s not going to help you much.
Mylenium
[Pour Myl
-
Joseph M. morgan
April 24, 2005 at 2:32 amAll respondents are right. Java and JavaScript are not the same thing. This is ONLY one kind of Java (unless you remember Microsoft’s attempt to steal Sun’s Java and call it J++). However, there are several types of JavaScript.
Quick history lesson. JavaScript is actually a NetScape product originally named “LiveScript”. Back in the days when the word “Java” was beginning to get press and new snake-oil of programming languages, NetScape renamed it “JavaScript” to better market their product. Microsoft, in their normal fashion, created their version, called “JScript”. Both NetScape and Microsoft, not to mention the influence of the popularity of Java, have evolved the language considerably.
Some time back, groups like the OASIS (Organization for the Advancement of Structured Information Standards) and the European Computer Manufacturers Association (ECMA) began a standardization called “ECMAScript” (though you might read that to mean “A scripting standard for everyone except Microsoft”).
After-effects’ expression and scripting languages are based upon the ECMAScript specifications. JavaScript, is essentially a WEB programming language, based strongly on the standards set forth by ECMA. Therefore, when looking for a class, try to find one specifically on ECMAScript, and there aren’t too many of those, at least, not without a bunch of HTML and WEB programming built in.
If you can’t find one, look for a JavaScript class with a considerable amount of focus on an “Object Model”, because that’s where most people lose touch with reality. Though HTML’s Document Object Model (DOM) is not the same as After Effects object model, the concepts of working with objects, hierarchys, properties and methods are essential to understanding ECMAScript and mastering both expressions and scripting.
Joe
Reply to this Discussion! Login or Sign Up