I just finished a year of web design classes in css and html. I’m not sure whether to invest my next semester in learning flash or javascript (I need to pick one, not both). I’ve heard a lot of complaints about flash not being web friendly, but I’ve also heard javascript is very limited on animation. What are the pros cons of each?
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If you are looking for animation, I would go into flash. The reason being is that flash is constantly advancing, and with todays web demands, more websites want dynamic generated content.
Sites like Youtube for example rely heavily on flash, and so do many kids websites like http://www.treehouse.com or Playhouse Disney’s websites.
Look for where demand is, if you find Javascript has demand, explore it. On the contrary, I believe you will enjoy and more than likely get hired if you are well versed in Adobe Fireworks/Flash.
Further down the road consider PHP and mySQL as part of continuing your education in programming… and try Javascript eventually too… it is an invaluable and increases your worth to a company.
If you want to do animation, go for Flash. If you want to do interactive web programming go for JavaScript.
Flash is great if you want to do designs and games, but AJAX is based on JavaScript and there’s quite a few free libraries that make web pages rock that are written and require a knowledge of JavaScript.
Hope that helps!
While Flash still has a few areas that make it the better choice there are many features that are easily handled by Javascript. If you’re just getting started take a look at jQuery, it simplies the process of using Javascript and can greatly enhance a web site.
Flash Pros:
~ Extensive features
~ 3D Capabilities
~ Consistent appearance in supported browsers
~ Supports vector artwork
~ Built-in UI & other features
~ Many free and Commercial tools available
~ More font options
Flash Cons:
~ Not compatible with all browsers including iPhone, cells phones, PS3, PSP, PDA’s
~ Moderate learning curve to use
~ Cost of purchasing Flash software
~ Possible problems with users that have older versions of the Flash Player
~ Potentially large file size
~ Possible security issues with Flash Player
~ Tracking stats for Flash elements is limited
Javascript Pros:
~ Small size
~ Using jQuery or other libraries reduces the learning curve
~ Hundreds of free professional quality programs
~ Can add interactivity to web page elements and tags
~ Skinnable Form Components UI
~ Compatible with more browsers than Flash including iPhone, cell phones, PS3, PSP
Javascript Cons:
~ Features not as extensive as Flash
~ Complex features may not perform as quickly as flash
~ 3D features are limited
~ Users can disable Javascript support
~ Source Code Not Protected
I say go with javascript. There is something new out it is O3D it uses javascript to make 3D web application.
From O3D site
“O3D allows you to create rich 3D web applications using JavaScript. This talk will primarily cover best practices for getting 2D and 3D content into O3D. We will also explore the API’s advanced features, primarily through demos and coding examples to keep the session fun. “
If you like writing code, go with JavaScript.
If you prefer graphic design and using an animation tool that generates the code behind the scenes, go with Flash.